Black Folks, Black Church, Homophobes! Gather Around; Let's Talk!!

Earlier this week on the very same day Judge Sonia Sotomayor was announced as Supreme Court justice nominee, the state of California voted and decided to uphold last falls proposition 8 decision as voted by the public. Ironically, here in Memphis on the very same day, Black preachers who almost always vote Democratic, along with a very Conservative White County Commissioner held a rally in protest at City Hall.

They were protesting a city ordinance which would create anti-discrimination protection to the LBGT community in the area of employment here in Shelby county Tennessee. If you remember, the prop 8 vote it was said to be largely determined by the Black vote. This is something conservatives pushed, and to me it still sounds like bullshit. Actually it is convenient to have Black people as the scapegoat as always. However, when I see Black preachers in my city in solidarity with republicans on the issue of anti-discrimination laws for the LGBT community I have to wonder.

What’s with the Black preachers and homosexuality?

A few weeks ago in Washington D.C. the city voted unanimously to recognize same sex marriages that have been performed in the states in the union where these civil unions are legal and recognized. The lone dissenter in a 12-1 vote on this was former D.C. Mayor, Marion Barry. He said that he felt a lot of pressure from the preachers in the city and as a result he cast his vote opposing it. Obviously he wasn’t lying because there was an angry mob of preachers at City Hall after the votes were cast. I guess when you get caught on tape smoking crack you gotta do what you gotta do to stay on God's good side. So what does D.C. and Memphis have in common? Well, both cities are majority African American. Yes, this would lead anyone to conclude that Black people may have a problem with homosexuality.

So again I ask: what’s with the Black preachers, the Black community and homosexuality?

I would really like to hear your honest opinions and answers to these questions in your commentary. Me personally, I don’t understand it. Well, actually I do, but me being me, I don’t get the hypocrisy of it all. I mean let’s be real Black community: just like everybody has a crackhead in their family, or a cousin “Junebug”, everybody has a gay cousin. Uh huh, yeah, and don’t be looking at me all crazy; yeah I see that side-eye you’re giving me. Uh huh, tell the damn truth! Everybody had that one effeminate cousin who liked to play with dolls, play hopscotch, and do that Double-Dutch jump rope thing instead of “traditional” sports. So why act like this is something new? What, it’s cool to be “girly” as a kid just as long as you don’t grow up and still “choose” to be? Wait hold up, I’m not sure if that’s even right because recently those “girly” boys have been bullied to the point where they commit suicide.

[Insert Blank Stare]

Now I know that not all Black people go to church. Yup and there’s no way that the Black church is that powerful so as to create this “taboo” associated with homosexuality. Can somebody tell me where this is all coming from? However, I don’t know what’s up with these Black preachers. I mean, is there some “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy in the church when it comes to homosexuality? For real though! How are they gonna come out slamming same sex marriage, anti-discrimination laws and shit, when the dude who is the choir director is gay? Aww c’mon people, don’t act like I’m making this shit up! You’ve been to church, and you’ve seen it. You’re not gonna tell me that the gay choir director thing is just an act this dude pulls only on a Sunday.

Nope I’m not buying it, and I’m not gonna believe that Black preachers accept homosexuality only if you have musical talent. If I remember correctly, wasn’t it the church that was instrumental in the fight for equality such as voting rights and stuff like that? That said, what is wrong with fighting for the equal rights of another minority group of people in this country? Ok yeah, so you may say that their fight is nothing compared to being sprayed with water hoses, or getting a chunk of your ass bitten off by racist German Shepherds. Yes I get that. However, didn’t Martin Luther King Jr say an injustice anywhere should be recognized and met with positive action?

I could be wrong; he may not have said that. My bad; Martin Luther King Jr. only spoke up for Black people and nobody else. Oh well, thank God that he did, because if he didn’t have the courage to speak up for Black people only, as he did, it may still be illegal for Barack Obama’s parents to be married. Or, the new Federal Hate Crime Bill would not have provisions to help protect the LGBT community from the bigots in this country.

Imagine that…



ADDENDUM:I say these preachers have the right to protest. But until churches start paying taxes, they need to shut the fuck up! I mean really?!! What ever happened to the separation of Church & State? What ever happened to the true prophetic leaders who were about the advancement of equality for all men per the constitution? It's a damn shame that people do not know the history of marriage, but yet say it's something handed down as a "gift" from God. In the end, I think it's foolish to hide behind the Bible -- a book that was commisioned to be published by King James, he who himself was a known homosexual. Look it up if you don't believe me.

Oh boy, another "accidental" shooting of a Black man by the police

Yeah, police shootings involving minorities are nothing new. Often they are a source of community rage, and rightfully so. What is it going to take to get this type of slaughter to stop? Well, some may say that it's the fault of the thugs who are a menace throughout our community. In other words, it is the behavior or actions of certain minorities that predicate the use of excessive force. I'd like to know your thoughts on that. Especially since I just read the story where a Black man was shot by the police in Harlem New York several hours ago.

Yeah, apparently these undercover cops saw a Black man chasing someone down the street as he carried a gun and shot him. Yup, they fired six times hitting this "running man" at least three times causing his death. Oh yeah, that's him in the pic above and I'm sure you can tell he's Black. Well, here's the messed up part of this story: the man they shot and killed was an off duty police officer who had just got off the clock [read story here]. Yeah, I suppose cops can be Black and get shot by other cops. What's the common denominator? He was Black so hey, shoot first and ask questions later, right? Oh well, I guess "accidents" do happen, and I guess this is just another one in a long line of them.

I'm guessing that 25yr old officer Omar J. Edwards was at fault just like all those other thugs in the community, right? I mean how dare he chase a person down who he happened to encounter breaking into his car just a few blocks from the police station where he worked. Yeah, chasing people was dumb, and waving his gun was even more stupid, right? Uh huh, he was wrong, and those cops were justified in shooting at him six times in an attempt to stop him too, right? Hell, what if an innocent bystander what shot and killed as well. Would we give the cops a pass and blame the bystander? I'm tired of talking because the more I think of this "accident" the more upset I'm becoming. This was a man who I didn't even know, but yet he was another Black man shot down in his prime; but yet some people are going to say that his crime was his skin color. Well, tell that to his recently married wife and two young children and see if they would accept that. It's bad enough that Black folks are being tasered to death by the police, and now even their own aren't safe because they're Black.

What say you?

O.J. Simpson strikes again (well, kinda sorta)

That John Coffey was such a nice guy. Hell I thought he was dead? Didn't they kill him in The Green Mile? Well somehow he made a return a few days ago. This further proves that he was truly an angel. Always, the Black man is portrayed as a menace to society. Sure there are the "O'Dog's" of the world who do their fare share of neighborhood terrorism. We know them all too well and the media spares no moment to tell their stories. Yup, and this is why White folks were horrified that a Black man - once again - had kidnapped a White woman and her child. Since there were two Black men in this instance, I can't help but to think that White folks thought one of them was O.J. Simpson. Lord knows having O.J. as your sidekick doesn't help matters much. Yes, and this is why Black folks were mad; we already knew that this was the work of our boy John, and not some criminal White woman loving Black man the likes of Simpson.

How dare they make John Coffey out to be a bad guy!?! He's no O.J. Simpson!!!

This is why the story of John Coffey's return this week in Philadelphia of all places, was a feel good moment for us Black people, and should have been for America. Ok yeah, so he did pickup that White woman and her 9yr old daughter and put them in his trunk. Yeah, it may seem like something criminal, but Coffey was smart. He did a good thing for that woman and her child. Yes, all he wanted to do was bring magic into their lives by taking them to Disney World.

Obviously like me he wasn't buying into the whole "post-racial" America thing so he stuffed them in the trunk. Seriously, do you think people would have looked at him kindly driving down the highway as they were? One Black man, with two White females; is heading south to Disney World? As always, it's a damn shame the police got involved and crushed all of John Coffey's hard work. Hell, I thought Disney World was a happy place. It's really sad when a Black man isn't allowed to bring joy into the lives of people of other races. They accept Mickey Mouse, but not people with whom John and I share the same skin color.

"I's tired boss, dog tired" - John Coffey (The Green Mile)

All Black people should carry video cameras (I think it's in the constitution)

Seriously folks, I'm convinced that this is what the hell Black people should do. I don't know if you've heard of the following story, but thankfully there was a camera there to catch what transpired. The pic above was captured on tape. Yeah, that's a State Trooper with his hands around the neck of a Black man who happens to be an EMT.

Check it out:

Ok, so here's the scoop: the ambulance was pulled over by a trooper for allegedly failinmg to yield to the trooper at a stoplight. Supposedly the troopers were responding to an officer assistance call. At the same time the ambulance was on the way to the hospital with a patient on board being followed by the patients relatives who just so happened to have a camera. The troopers were trying to give the ambulance driver a ticket, but the EMT was trying to explain the situation and was almost arrested for doing so and hence the choke hold. Could you imagine the outcome if the camera were not there? Plunger up the ass maybe? Does that make sense?

You tell me...

You can read the entire story here

Mississipi Burning? The KKK wasn't that bad, were they??

My favorite blog superhero of all time, as well as fellow AfroSpear member, Field Negro, lives in Philadelphia. His blog is a blog I recommend you read daily, and add to you blogroll. He is a champion for truth, justice and the Negro-American way, among other things. Yes, he is quite the provocateur, and I love it.

On his page, on his sidebar, he features a "Field Negro of the Day" as well as a "House Negro of the Day" award. Sometimes I hit his blog just to see who he has featured in these categories. These awards are often well deserved, and sometimes I get a good laugh out of them. Seriously folks, Field Negro is hilarious and committed like that to the cause. Which is really funny because he's a damn attorney; yup, attorneys are often boring; the ones I know at least. Somehow, I'm surprised that being a resident of Philadelphia, he hasn't written about this situation just yet, especially since he has written many blogs about his beloved city.

Check it out:

Oh snap! I forgot Field Negro lives in the good Philadelphia; you know that whole "City of Brotherly Love" place? Rocky? Dr. J, Philly Steaks, a cracked bell, and all that? Yeah, that's the Philly he lives in. The Philly in the clip above is the south-side Philadelphia of A-merry-ca as he often references this beloved nation of ours. Ironically, south-side Philadelphia that's featured in the video above is the same place Ronald Reagan kicked off his 1980 Presidential campaign. It is also the backdrop for the well told story of the three civil rights voter registration workers who were killed by the KKK in the movie Mississippi Burning. Yeah, given a choice, I think RiPPa would prefer to live in the Philadelphia otherwise known as Killadelphia in the state of Pistolvania. Yeah, I think I would take my chances getting shot by another person of color rather than having the KKK show up at my doorstep if my wife and I were ever to have a dispute. Something tells me that me being Black that would not be a good thing; yeah, no happy ending if that were to happen. Yup, just like there were no happy endings for the brothers when Reagan took office. After all, he was against the 1964 Civil Rights Act.

But then again, who knew the KKK had its good points! My man in the video made the KKK sound like the fuckin Lions Club or something. That old man made it seem like they gave out scholarships, loans, rides to work for people of all races and shit like that. Hell, Nino Brown passed out turkeys for Thanksgiving in New Jack City but he was still a damn drug dealer! Sorry "Mr. Former KKK Approved Mayor", I'm not buying it. The KKK was never a positive social activism club. But then again, I guess that would depend on how you look at it. Maybe we need to KKK to roll up on these dead beat dads we hear so much about with 70% of Black kids being raised in single parent homes. I mean if that was what they were about as that asshole said in the video above it couldn't hurt right? Shit, they should bring back lynchings as that one mayoral Black candidate in Jackson Mississippi suggested some months ago; it's a damn shame he lost his bid.

So what there were a few hangings and cross burnings; big deal. Just like my man Tom Joyner of the Tom Joyner Morning Show where he raises money for HBCUs, the KKK also had parties with a purpose. I don't know if Field Negro takes nomination for his sidebar awards, but I'd like to nominate everyone in that video. Yes, from the first Black mayor in Philadelphia Mississippi, Anderson Cooper for not losing his cool, and the former racist Mayor, to even the Klu Klux Klan. I'll leave it up to him if he's reading as to who gets what award. Hopefully the first Black Mayor of Philadelphia Mississippi, James A. Young, gets to be the Field Negro of the day or maybe a month. Being Black and becoming mayor in that town of all towns, in that state, speaks volumes. Though historic and symbolic an appointment as was the Obama presidential victory, we must never forget that there is still a lot of work to do ahead of us. Surely James Cheney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner would be proud that they did not die in vain.

God Bless A-merry-ca

Sonia Sotomeyer: "Now if a White person said something like that..."

I'm taking bets on the new Supreme Court Justice nominee Sonia Sotomeyer. So what's the bet you ask? I'd like to know just how long is it going to take for right wing nutjobs to say that Sonia Sotomayor, the new Supreme Court Justice nominee doesn't have a Green Card? Yup, how long is it going to take for some asshole to say that she needs to produce her birth certificate or else be deported to that horrible third world nation of Puerto Rico, without even realizing that it's U.S. territory?

Yeah, how long is it going to take before she is also deemed Un-American in spite of struggle to get to where she is currently? I mean, how come all the "Americans" are republicans? Well, I don't know how long it's gonna take for them to say that exactly. But I do know that already they're saying that she's racist. Seriously, that's has been the talk even before her announcement as the nominee.

"I would hope that a wise Latina woman with the richness of her experiences would more often than not reach a better conclusion [as a judge] than a white male who hasn't lived that life." -- Judge Sonia Sotomayor, in her Judge Mario G. Olmos Law and Cultural Diversity Lecture at the University of California (Berkeley) School of Law in 2001

Yeah, supposedly that statement she made back in 2001 has come back to haunt her. According to my republican buddies, that was a racist statement. Yup, according to them, if a White Judge had said something like that he would have caught all types of hell. Sadly they never provide the proper context:

Judge Sotomayor has given several speeches about the importance of diversity. But her 2001 remarks at Berkeley, which were published by the Berkeley La Raza Law Journal, went further, asserting that judges’ identities will affect legal outcomes.

“Whether born from experience or inherent physiological or cultural differences,” she said, for jurists who are women and nonwhite, “our gender and national origins may and will make a difference in our judging.”

Her remarks came in the context of reflecting her own life experiences as a Hispanic female judge and on how the increasing diversity on the federal bench “will have an effect on the development of the law and on judging.”

In making her argument, Judge Sotomayor sounded many cautionary notes. She said there was no uniform perspective that all women or members of a minority group have, and emphasized that she was not talking about any individual case.

She also noted that the Supreme Court was uniformly white and male when it delivered historic rulings against racial and sexual discrimination. And she said she tried to question her own “opinions, sympathies and prejudices,” and aspired to impartiality.

Still, Judge Sotomayor questioned whether achieving impartiality “is possible in all, or even, in most, cases.” She added, “And I wonder whether by ignoring our differences as women or men of color we do a disservice both to the law and society.”

She also approvingly quoted several law professors who said that “to judge is an exercise of power” and that “there is no objective stance but only a series of perspectives.”

“Personal experiences affect the facts that judges choose to see,” she said. - Source (New York Times)

Umm, why do White folks always do or say bullshit in an attempt to discredit or downgrade minorities when they make significant accomplishments? And no this isn't the stupid "how come Blacks can say the word nigger but we can't," talk. No, this has nothing to do with what the hell a rapper says in a song. Listen here, and check this out: you belong to the racial majority; there's nothing you can say or do that hasn't been done in history to make the racist past of this country anything less than what it was. This is about some White folks who think they're experts on racism saying dumb shit as a defense. The problem as always is the case with the smear machine is that they conveniently leave out the context or truthiness which is pertinent to the discussion. Instead with their eternal hubris they remain mendacious for political expediency.

I'm serious, they've already played the "she has a chip on her shoulder," card, as well as proclaiming her to be an intellectual lightweight as far as judges go. Lemme guess: this has something to do with her being from the projects and being a minority, right? I mean hell, Michelle Obama wasn't from the projects, but yet they cast her as the angry Black woman as they often do.

Although it's nothing new, I have to say that I am sick of people who attempt to downplay race and historical significance because of politics, or their political affiliations or identity. And I'm not just speaking about White folks either. There are some Black folks - namely Conservatives - who in the face of political identity let it be known that they are not proud of Obama's accomplishment even though they share the same skin color. I'm sorry Kevin Jackson, but I'm not feeling you; for a Black man to say that he was more proud of Bush's victory in the elections than Obama's puts you in my Slave Catcher category.

Not saying that you have to be a minority to appreciate Obama's success or the nomination of the first Latino Chief Justice. Rather, being an American as they often label themselves first, they should embrace accomplishments such as this given the history of the experiment in democracy that is the United States of America. A country where diversity should be encouraged and celebrated. A country where your heritage - especially if you're a minority - should not have to take a backseat. Look, your president is black, your Attorney General is Black, and the nominee for the Supreme Court is a Latina; get used to the fact that America is changing. If you can get used to it, then I feel sorry for you, and maybe you should kill yourself.

And now a word from their sponsor:

So I Waterboarded my 1yr old yesterday, and...

Aww man it was great! Effective? Hell yeah it was! What? Illegal? Child abuse? What are you talking about?! Shit, I had to do what I had to do! But she’s a child? Ok yeah, so she’s only 19 months old; yeah she’s a child; but it’s not abuse. I mean, it’s not like I threw her at Walmart security guard or anything. You wanna talk about crime? Now that shit right there was a crime.

What did I do? Well I was taking a shower; damn it was one of those real good showers too. Uh huh, and she kicks in the door crying and screaming because she wanted to get in with me. Now that’s something I’ve never done before; I leave that up to her mother. Yeah, they take baths together and stuff like that. But anyway, so she’s standing there losing her freakin mind. So what did I do? I got her undressed and picked her up and we both took a shower. What? I'm not a bad parent like some people are.

I think she liked it especially since this was her first time. Aww man when I put her face up to the shower head she shut right up. Yup no more crying. Oh I gave her time to get used to the splashing water in her face. Torture? That’s not torture; it’s called doing what one has to do. It's not like she was crying and asking me to stop like those silly right wing talk show hosts after six seconds. I mean hell it’s only water. Shit, 70% of the earth is covered with water; so what’s the big deal?!! But it’s almost like drowning? No it’s not. Not when you use soap. Hell it’s called washing your ass. Besides, the water wasn’t even cold. If it was, that would have been wrong. I mean it’s not like I was trying to hurt her or anything; hell, what information is so necessary to be obtained from a 1yr old that I can’t use a belt.

I was just trying to clean her up just like all little babies should be at her age; chaos breeds opportunity. Say what? Child Protective Services? Really? Why should I worry about them; it’s not like I’m a terrorist or anything, right? I mean hell, she was screaming at the top of her lungs. I had to do what I had to do to protect my family. I wasn’t gonna ignore her and walk out of the shower only to be greeted by the rest of my family with bleeding ears from all her screaming. Damn right, I’m a father and husband and I do what I have to do to keep my family safe. Hell, Dick Cheney is a dad just like me, and he says it’s not torture. And you know what? He’s so right. It’s called taking a bath or shower, people. Hello! How are you supposed to do that without getting your face wet?!! Those terrorists should be happy, and people should stop bitching. Those terrorists have some of the most kind folks working down in Guantanamo Bay who are willing to give them baths more than once a day. Yup, everybody isn’t that nice; just look at Barack Obama.

Oh so I can't come to the Prom because I'm Black?!!

I’ll be 39yrs old this year, and I vaguely remembered my prom. When you’re 17 or 18yrs old graduating from high school it’s probably as close as one can get to being a star for one night in a Hollywood sorta way as far as proms go. Even still, I vaguely remember mine. This is why for the last few years our email inbox have been flooded with these ugly “ghetto prom” pics. You know, kinda like the one posted above? Even though my memory is shot on my prom, I seriously doubt whether there were kids dressed as ridiculous as I have seen in recent years. Yup, formal wear just ain't the same anymore.

As much as I hate seeing pictures of junior pimps and hoes as prom dates, I can’t help but to be happy that they are graduating given the outrageous high school dropout rates of Blacks and other minorities. I guess that’s why I can’t be mad at the lady who gave a shout out to her son who graduated from Pre-K as the salutary on the radio a few days ago. At first it did sound kinda crazy to me. I mean shit, how hard to graduate from Pre-K. is it? But I guess the idea is to get behind them and push them at an early age so as to get results.

The prom or going to the prom is a tradition that will never die; it’s as American as Apple pie and baseball. The generations may change, the style of clothing may change some, the music may have changed, but the tradition of prom will forever live on. Speaking of tradition, take the kids of Montgomery County High School in Georgia for example. They like all high school seniors around the country are having a prom. Yes, they too will have their one night where all time will stand still, and they too will be cast into the spotlight. Well, for the kids at Montgomery County High and many other schools in the south, time has indeed stood still. You better believe it has for them. You see, in this being 2009 in the year of the lord, they still have segregated proms. Uh huh, there is a “Black Prom” and a “White Prom”. Uh huh, and guess which one is held first?

It would seem that traditions die hard. I mean here I am making fun of the brother who sits a top of my blog while he drinks the Kool Aid from the colored water fountain, and here today in this day and age White folks still feel the need to exclude Black kids from “their” prom. From what I’ve read in a recent New York Times release, it has been this way in this school in particular ever since they integrated in 1971. There was one actual school sponsored prom in 1995, but attendance was poor so the school has no plans of ever trying that stunt again. One can only wonder why attendance to that prom was poor especially since this years graduating class is made up of a total of 54 kids.

Students of both races say that interracial friendships are common at Montgomery County High School. Black and white students also date one another, though often out of sight of judgmental parents. “Most of the students do want to have a prom together,” says Terra Fountain, a white 18-year-old who graduated from Montgomery County High School last year and is now living with her black boyfriend. “But it’s the white parents who say no. … They’re like, if you’re going with the black people, I’m not going to pay for it.”

“It’s awkward,” acknowledges JonPaul Edge, a senior who is white. “I have as many black friends as I do white friends. We do everything else together. We hang out. We play sports together. We go to class together. I don’t think anybody at our school is racist.” Trying to explain the continued existence of segregated proms, Edge falls back on the same reasoning offered by a number of white students and their parents. “It’s how it’s always been,” he says. “It’s just a tradition.” – Source (The New York Times)

This is ridiculous, pure nonsense, and should not be accepted. If you click the source link above and read th4e article, you'll see where a few Black kids who attended the "White Prom" to cheer on their friends were ushered away by chaperons. But yet, some people still say that tired line that racism is dead. Ok, sure they may not be burning crosses, or hanging Negroes from trees, but to label this a “tradition” – an acceptable one at that – is the most absurd thing I have heard in a very long time. How are these kids supposed to live in this new “post-racial” society when they are forced to live in a county still stuck in an era where this is accepted? I'm told that this is something that is commonplace in the south and this is not something exclusive to the state of Georgia. As a matter of fact, there is a documentary being released in another month called Prom Night in Mississippi which is centered around the struggle to have an integrated prom where actor Morgan Freeman even offered to pay for an integrated prom.

Check it out:

I’m telling you folks, it’s when I read stuff like this, that I am thankful that my parents never decided to live in places such as Montgomery County Georgia. If they did, I’ll have to wonder just how I would have turned out. But therein lies the problem; the parents. The school doesn’t sanction or hold a Prom because White parents deem it right to hold to the tradition (click here to listen to this). If the school stepped up to the plate, I personally think this could be changed. What’s the worst thing that could happen by having an integrated prom? What, are they afraid that their kids will be less White? I don’t know what you think about this and I’d sure like to hear your thoughts. Hopefully the day will come when this too shall come to pass.

MUST READ: Send Their Children to All-White Proms from the blog Stuff White People Do

When Keeping it Post-Racial Goes Right! Or Maybe it Went, Wrong?

Umm, you tell me...

Oh well, at least North Carolina is doing something to close the racial gap in this country. Forty acres and a mule? Sheeeeeeeit! Who knew that all it was gonna take to fix things would be furniture? My only one question would be: where was the White woman? Oh and did that Negro say that he likes to pump iron? Umm, I'm sorry homie, but I think the only iron you push would be a metal fork. Yeah and why does Richard aka Bighead look so ashy? What, there's racial harmony in North Carolina but no lotion? Personally, I think this commercial should run on every station. Yes, it's about damn time a Black man gets to sleep on a White man's couch in America. Or, where a Black man can lay down on the job and not get fired for it?

I don't know about you, but I'm now thinking of moving my family to North Carolina.

Thank you Red House!

*looking around nervously*

Bin Laden Didn't Blow Up the Projects

I need somebody to help me understand this Gitmo stuff...

We live in a country, which has no problem throwing people into prisons. A country which has built a thriving industry just in doing so. A country which houses the most people incarcerated in the world. But yet, people are against people currently held in Guantanamo Bay as "enemy combatants" being housed on U.S. soil? A country where a soldier was given life in prison for raping a 14yr old Iraqi girl and murdering her family; while a Black man sits on Death Row being refused a new trial in the face of evidence that could very well exonerate him? What type of shit is that?

WATCH THIS:Guantanamo Bay - USA

And then you have idiots afraid that they're going to be living next door to a fuckin terrorist?!!! Damn, I thought we were over this fear shit in the age of Obama? Hell, now we have Democrats voting against the necessary funds to close Guantanamo Bay? What kinda shit is that?? Why the fuck should I be worried whether a terrorist lives next door to me? Can somebody answer this for me? I mean, I don't even know my neighbors just like most of you. Hell, for all I know my neighbor could have a pit in his basement, or a dungeon like Rick James used to, where he has wild, nasty sado-masochistic sex with lord know who; he could even be a sex offender for all I know - maybe even a child molester.

But yet, I'm supposed to be scared that the guy next door could possibly be a terrorist from another country? Lemme guess, the 240 or so "terrorists" from Guantanamo just might bring those Cuban roaches with them, right? Yup, and now we have some asshole whose first name is synonymous with penis, and last name rhymes with Lamey, tell the American people that torture was justifiable. There are illegal immigrants in detention centers who have been languishing on U.S. soil, and have even died while in custody here in American.

Yeah, but now some people are of the opinion that the Gitmo detainees would be a bad influence on the people in prison here. Bin Laden didn't blow up the projects. Dick Cheney, it was you and George Bush who lied to start this war on terrorism. Shit, it wasn't Bin Laden who pushed for all this deregulation which has all but fucked working class people sideways. That said, why should I believe you when you say that you guys had to do what you had to do to keep the people in this country safe. Hell, people are having a hard time as is trying to make it and now you wanna step in a scare the shit out of them?

I thought Barack Obama was your cousin...

Tell the truth nigga!

Somebody talk to me after watching this video...

Isn't it a good idea to make sure your daughter goes to school wearing underwear?

I mean I'm just sayin...

instead of gettin pissed off at the school and having to hire an attorney. Would it not have made sense to teach your kid that he/she should wear some damn underwear at all times? I'm not trynna make this one a racial thing, but hell, is that how "some folks" roll daily? I mean my mother always reminded me to wear clean underwear just in case I somehow ended up in an emergency room. She used to say she'd hate to have to come to the ER and be told that I was wearing draws with three day old shit stains. What, do we have to tell our kids that they must be sure to wear underwear just in case they take class pictures for the yearbook at school?

And to further make me wanna slap this kids mother, pictures of her drinking and having parties with her kid and friends have surfaced on the internet. I'm sorry mom, but when you do shit like that, you have to bge careful of talking shit and threatening to sue somebody. Especially when you're raising a child in the environment that you have. This old hag better be lucky little Ms. Crotchrot didn't show up for class pics naked. Shoot, and to ask them to recall the books at the end of the school year? Negro please!!! I mean seriously, what would you do if this were your kid?

QUESTION(S): Do you wear underwear everyday in public? If not, why not?

(hat-tip to soulbrother v2 for this rant)

Only in Memphis - Woman shoplifting throws baby at security and escapes

So I told you folks about this city having the dubious distinction of being the most obese city in the country some time ago. Watching the news yesterday, it dawned on me that I have yet to share the news that this city is also number one in the country when it comes to infant mortality. No joke, it's as serious enough an issue here that there's a conference going this week exploring and seeking to educate single mothers. Well, as if this issue isn't bad enough, in comes the latest story of Memphis fuckery. I caught the news story where yesterday a shoplifter, in an attempt to elude security at a Walmart here in the city, threw a 2mth old baby boy as a diversionary tactic. Uh uh, a 2mth old kid was thrown...TWICE! And here's the kicker...the woman who did it was the aunt of the baby.

Check it out:

Now ain't that some shit? Not only are we in the city the fattest muthafuckas in the country, we have a penchant for causing the death of infants and weilding them as weapons. Now the funny part about this is that the mother of the child was at the store as well. It was said that she was in the bathroom at the time this incident occurred. I don't know about you, but that sounds kinda fishy to me. Sounds like mommy knew good and damn well what the hell her sister was up to.

Yeah, I think she may have been in on the shoplifting hence her convenient bathroom move or excuse. At any rate, this is some bullshit, and as of right now, I don't know if the loving aunt has been apprehended by the police. If I were the mother of the child her ass would have been locked up within an hour of this happening. But hey, you know how that STOP SNITCHING thing works in the hood. If I were a judge, upon conviction I'd make her ass wear a sign like the one in the pic above, and include the mention of her being the baby thrower. Shit, I'd probably have her picture on billboards all across the city.

QUESTION(S):If this were your sister what would you do? Do you think mommy was in on it? What the hell is up with people throwing babies around all of a sudden?

Did Eve of "Adam & Eve" fame mess it up for the brothers?

When Eve first performed fellatio on Adam did she stare into his eyes just before she did it and say, "I'm only doing this because I love you." I wonder if she actually said that? No seriously, I'd really like to know. I say that because this is what Black women are compelled to say when first, well, you know. And some of them don't even do it because they think it's nasty. Ok, yeah, so yes I know there are some "sisters" who are not bashful when it comes to oral sex; yes, I know this. But lets be real; it took like an act of Congress to get Black women to get down like that. I ain't lyin! I remember when they would say that only White girls do that sort of thing.

So what does this have to do with Eve and being Black RiPPa?

Look, if the Black man was the original man, then why then would Adam and Eve not be Black. Everything had to start somewhere so I am simply saying that it was a Black man and woman who were the first to perform oral sex. Of course I realize that this is another one of those little known Black history facts, but trust me, I'm dead right with this shit. Further proving that they were Black is the attitude Black women have in regards to oral sex today. I've encountered Black women who wouldn't have a problem lettin a brother hit it raw dog, but will not give him or anybody else some head. Yeah, they say shit like, "I'm only gonna do that with my husband," or "That type of stuff is nasty!"

Obviously this is handed down from Eve. I mean, since Adam was like the president of the world, I can only assume that he was the one who instigated it. Yup, I think once Adam was enlightened after eating the apple, he did it as punishment. Lets be honest: this is why society is male dominated, right? Eve didn't care for it too much; that whole ejaculation thing being new was something she never got used to. And this is why today, Black women are still adverse to performing fellatio. As well as shitty when brothers hook up with White women. Now, all we have to do is find out who was the first White woman to swallow and build a monument in her honor. After all, you know what they say...

"If you won't do it, somebody else will."

Oh yeah, and don't even think to try and disprove what I say either. Uh huh, yeah I know some of you are wondering how I can explain Adam performing oral sex on Eve since she was forced. Well, I don't know what y'all are talking about. Hell, everybody knows that brothers don't do that type of thing. I mean come on, why would we; that shit is nasty.

QUESTION(S):Why is oral sex equated with some other level of love? Is someone supposed to love you more once you've gone the extra mile to place the sex organ of another into or on one's mouth?

A Global Day of Blogging for Troy Davis: Get off ya ass and do something!

Much like the Strange Fruit hanging from southern trees sung by Billie Holiday is Troy Davis. The only difference, is that the rope has been placed around his neck, but he has yet to meet his fate as set by the miscarriage of justice which has held, and still holds his life in the balance. If you haven't heard the Troy Davis story, don't feel bad. I mean it's not like the media has been covering this case anyway. I've written about him before on this blog, and I've decided to join others around the globe to speak out on his behalf again. You see, he sits on death row in a Georgia state prison awaiting execution for the murder of an off duty police officer. Like most convicted criminals, he has sworn his innocence.

Umm, just watch the video:

In the face of all this new evidence, the courts have denied him a retrial. They have however given him a 30 day extension to furnish or pursue another appeal. He has been granted 3 stays of execution all at the 11th hour, but yet and still, no retrial. Yup, the judges are not convinced that the new evidence is not sufficient for a jury to find him not guilty. I mean you have witnesses recanting their testimony, and there is also no murder weapon, but yet and still no justice? This recent loss was as recent as of the month of April and this is what the Judges concluded in a 2 to 1 decision:

Judges Joel Dubina and Stanley Marcus said they agreed with those conclusions. “Davis has not presented us with a showing of innocence so compelling that we would be obligated to act today,” they wrote.

The judges said they view the recantations with skepticism and, after reviewing Davis’ claims, “remain unpersuaded.” - Source

Look, I really don't care whether you are for or against the Death Penalty, what I do care about is this man being put to death when there is sufficient evidence to prove his innocence. As a man, I care about justice, and in my opinion, to deny his appeal for a new trial in this instance is absurd. I don't know about you, but I cannot sit by and allow this to happen. I watched with tears in my eyes the way residents of New Orleans were left to die after Hurricane Katrina. Back then it was all I can do from a distance. I'd be damned if I sit around and say or not do anything in this instance. This is why I urge you to assist me and others in bringing light to this issue. Not only that, I ask that you take the time to click the link below and send a letter via email or Fax to the Georgia Governors office.

Yes, we are all writing the governor and I'd appreciate it if you took just a few minutes of your time to do so as well. Don't worry, it wouldn't take anymore than probably 2 minutes of your time doing so. I'd also like to encourage you to pass this link or information along; Blog about it if you have to. I don't care how you do it, but dammit do something. To do nothing would make you just as guilty as the people who have chosen to deny this man the justice he deserves. Please, don't let the blood of Troy Davis lay on your hands as well as the leaves of the southern trees who have bared enough Strange Fruit.

EMAIL THE GEORGIA GOVERNOR: CLICK HERE

Death Row innocence and exoneration in Georgia

How You Gon' Leave Before You Dance With Me?

The above title to this post is actually a line from my man Mos Def's song of the hip hop classic "Black On Both Sides". This is one of my favorite hip hop albums of all time as is Mos Def the entertainer. The line come from the song "Ms. Fat Booty" which tells the tale of boy meets girl in the average nightclub in anywhere USA. In the song he meets this woman and is smitten by her beauty; he even proclaims playfully that she had an ass so fat that you can see it from the front.

Well, to make a long story short, he fell in love with her, they had a fling and in the end she broke his heart. In other words dude was sick; yup, shorty put in on him seriously like that; watch the video at the end of this post. Now this song was made back in the late 90s. And this is why I was surprised to read over at necolebitchie.com - my number one source for celebrity entertainment news and gossip - that my man met a stripper in the club back in 2005, and married her after only knowing her for two days. Uh huh, and now dude refuses to sign the divorce papers for the last two years. Shit, Mos Def's Umi told him to shine his light on the world, but I wonder what she would have to say about this. Of course the marriage never worked; was it supposed to? His wife filed for divorce only two months after the wedding. In an upcoming documentary called "Rapper Wives" on E, this story and many more are exposed.

Check it out:


Now a part of me thinks that Mos Def should have known better. I’m thinking that when you’re an artist in the industry you have to be leery of situations such as this. But then again I don’t know where or what he was going through at the time. I mean clearly this woman has some issues as a result of her upbringing - ok, yeah, so everyone has issues; I'm not picking on this woman. However, when you barely know someone and marry them after two days of meeting them this is what you get. Would I have married her only after knowing her for two days? Hell fuck no I wouldn't, and I don't care how fat the booty is or just how fine she is, I will never do something like that.

Yeah whatever RiPPa you know you lyin.

Ok yeah, I might be lyin’; my bad, I forgot, I did the same thing. Well, see, I got married to a woman that I barely knew as well. I didn't do it in two days; in my case I knew her for six months. In retrospect, it was a bad move. For two reasons: 1) I met her in a nightclub just like Mos Def, and yes the ass was fat, and well...2) I was only 24yrs old and fresh out of college; looking back I was too young. Yes, now that I am a lot older and wiser I can say this. So would I have done differently? Of course I would, but looking back it’s always easy to say something like that. After all, hindsight is 20/20, no?

Our marriage managed to last 9yrs; the last two we were separated pending a divorce. A lot of what I dealt with and went through during the marriage without giving much detail could have and should have been avoided. In other words, if I hadn't taken my ass out to the club that one night in question when I was 23yrs old none of it would have happened. Two days after meeting her we had sex, and I ain't gonna front, I was hooked. Yeah, I was running around with my nose wide open. Shit I cancelled my other stable of women just because. Shit, I had everything else I could ever want in life at the time with the exception of “the one”.

I guess kinda like Mos Def, back then I was quite the catch, and without enough thought I allowed myself to get reeled in. I must admit that although it could have been avoided, it was a lesson learned, and well worth it. You see, unlike Moss Def, I learned and decided not to make the same mistake in my older years as he did. You know that whole “fool me once shame on you” thing? Now I can say that I am happily married, for a second time, to a woman unlike the little girl the little boy that was me fell for a long long time ago. I'm not one for giving out unsolicited advice, but I can't help but to tell you that it's not a good idea marrying someone you meet in the club.

Don't Bring Anybody Home If They Can't Use Your Comb

"I've never been treated more disrespectfully as a woman than by the Black men that I've dated..I think Black men have just been shit on for so long, that, in a way, Black women are maybe more willing to accept rage from a Black man, because they see what's happened to them...I identified with Black men because I thought in a way we experience the same things--people treat you like shit 'cause you're Black, people treat you like shit 'cause you're a woman." - Madonna

Yup, the above quote came from Madonna in a 1995 interview with Spin magazine. Of course it's her opinion based on her experiences with Black men so I can't knock her and say that she's wrong. I do question her line of thinking that suggests that Black women may be more willing to accept rage from Black men. To me it suggests that White women just ain't havin' it! Something that from my personal observations is so incorrect. As a matter of opinion based on my observations, I've seen White women put up with more bullshit from brothers than a Black woman would. But hey, that's another blog in itself, but feel free to speak on it in your comments if you feel like it; it should make for an interesting exchange.

I don't know what you think, but maybe this is why Madonna feels the need to KIDNAP adopt these kids from Africa. Like she says, she identifies with Black men. If that's the case, why go all the way to Africa, and not adopt a Black kid here in America? I don't know, but maybe that's how you get into heaven being a White woman after being labeled a whore, and having the balls to make a video with a Black Jesus. Or maybe it's some sort of penance for having to have had sex with Dennis Rodman? Yeah, you have to make up for all of that by adopting Black babies from Africa. Don't get me wrong, I'm not against her adopting African babies like some people are. However, when the parents of the kids in question are against it and they have to fight to keep their kids in Africa that says a lot; especially when there are lord knows how many African American kids in need of adoption.

I can't help but to think that for her and other celebrities it's almost like buying a African lion, and importing it into the country. Lets be honest, not everyone can or has an African lion in tow when they walk down the street, right? Yup, nothing like getting attention for adopting a CHARITY CASE Black baby. Of course they do care about the needs of these kids, and yes indeed what they do is very noble. However, a part of me just sees this as some Hollywood trendy bullshit. I mean if they cared so much, why not build schools like Oprah did, or partner with other celebrities in more efforts such as that. Now don't get me wrong, not saying that they don't. I'm sayin’ I just saw Madonna in a recent pic grabbing Kanye West's girlfriend’s booty while in a nightclub. I'm sorry, but if you're the Mother Teresa to African kids you just don't go around grabbing random booty up in the club. Hell, you don't see Bono from U2 grabbing random asses do you? How you gon' adopt kids when you doin' shit like that Madonna?

I read recently that she is trying to adopt an African girl this time around and the father of the kid isn't having it. Some of you might think he's wrong because Madonna's rich and she could provide for the kid better than the African father of the child. Yeah, this might be true, but it's his kid, and as long as he feels he can better take care of her, then so be it. I don't blame the guy though. If I was in Africa, I wouldn't want Madonna adopting my kid either. Hell, have you seen the hair on the kid in the picture above? You think I would be happy seeing my African child in a newspaper wearing new clothes, looking healthy, but with a fucked up hairdo? Shit, even brothers and sisters in Africa take that hair shit seriously. Naw for real though, when was the last time you saw a kid or an adult in Africa with fucked up hair like the kid in the picture above?

Seewhumsayinandshit?!!

Now don't act like you've never heard the rule dished out by old school Black parents. You know the rule where they say don't bring anybody home with you that can't comb their hair with the comb you use? Yeah, that rule; yes, I know if you're Black you've heard it especially. Uh huh, that's right White readers, this is the kind of stuff we were told growing up back in the day. I figured I might as well be open and honest with you guys. I mean, might as well, since we do live in this post-racial society and all; boy would I love to hear the stuff White parents told their kids back in the day. I imagine they too had special "instructions" given to them by their parents.

Look, before you send me hate mail lemme say that I am not against interracial adoption; nope, not at all. To be honest, I encourage it, and I'm not going to suggest that White folks cannot successfully raise Black kids or vice versa. At the end of the day, the only differences we have other than culturally are our differences in skin color. However, if you're gonna adopt a kid a different race or culture than yourself. At least be able to comb the gotdamn kids hair and not have them looking like a golliwog or dare I say a Buckwheat reincarnate like the lil dude in the picture above with Angelina Jolie. I mean seriously, why do you think those kids in the pic with Madonna above as she holds that baby looks as scared as they do?

QUESTION(S):What are your thoughts on celebrities adopting African babies as opposed to African American babies or children. How do you feel about interracial adoptions? Do you think if at all the child loses culturally?

More Proof that Police Hate Black Men

Yeah, now you tell me: would it have taken that long to bust a Negro in the head with a nightstick and 10,000 volts of electricity from those industrial strength police tasers? I don't know what event this was - NASCAR maybe? - but I don't see too many of my cousins around. But err, I don't think those cops would have been so kind if the guy in the clip was of a much darker complexion with a bigger penis. I mean seriously, did you see how Billy McMidgetpenis was standing there buttassnekkid with his hand on the cops shoulder like they were just shooting the shit? Just jokes folks - I didn't actually look at his penis. I'm sayin, I've seen two naked dudes on the show Cops both obviously gone out of their minds on drugs, and the po-po pretty much called in the SWAT team and the National Guard on their asses.

Black People Disclaimer: Don't try this at home; police officers are trained professionals. It may be a good idea to get drunk and naked in the privacy of your own home, and be sure to not have the music playing too loudly. Being a Black person and naked in public is a sure fire way of becoming a statistic, and there is a strong chance of getting a plunger shoved up your anal cavity or worse, 50 bullets with your name on it.

Alan Keyes Gets Arrested - Does that mean he's officially Black now?

In lieu of the backlash from the "I hope his kidneys fail," joke by Wanda Sykes, would I be wrong to say that Alan Keyes should have been aborted? Ok, yeah, that might be a little over the top, but it's just what I felt like saying after watching the video of him getting arrested at Notre Dame. Him and a few people decided to use it as a platform to protest abortion by pushing baby dolls in strollers covered in what would look like blood. President Obama is scheduled to speak there, so they felt the need to protest. You know with Notre Dame being a Catholic University and all. Uh huh, and apparently the Pope endorses the pullout method as opposed to any contraceptives. Speaking of which, do Catholics do anything other than Missionary style when they have sex?

I'm sorry, but that wasn't a protest. That looked more like The Way of the Cross processional on Good Friday - yeah, I went to Catholic schools. Did you see how tame, or dare I say lame that "protest" was? Hell, Black people make more noise than that at a funeral. I guess protests just aren't the same anymore. I mean what ever happened to the good ole days with the water-hoses, and those racist German Shepherds?

But hey, maybe there was no need for force because, well, it's Alan Keyes. Even the cops in South Bend know about his ass and see him as one of the "safe" Negroes. All jokes aside, they have the right to protest; it's democracy 101 actually. My thing is, was Alan Keyes protesting abortion or was he protesting Barack Obama. I mean, it's not like Keyes is known to stalk abortion clinics or anything. Saying dumb shit about Obama? Yeah, he's well known for that among other things.

I just wished the "protest" could have been more dramatic. It would have been cool if somebody got hit in the head with a brick. You know, something like they did at the G8 Conference in Brittan? Now those are some White folks who know how to throw a good protest. Yup, gettin your head bashed in, and lip bloodied by the police is how you get attention. That's how you make a stand by God. I mean, if Barack Obama is such the baby killer he's made out to be, you'd think they would have gotten a lil bit crunk. But then again, how crunk can you really get when the most famous guy you have with you probably doesn't even know the meaning of the word? In the end, I'm a little upset that this made the news. Congressman John Lewis was arrested about a week ago protesting what's going on in Darfur, but yet we never heard a peep of it on the news.

Barack Obama Doesn't Like Black People - cuts funding to HBCUs

"It doesn't do good to open doors for someone who doesn't have the price to get in. If he has the price, he may not need the laws. There is no law saying the Negro has to live in Harlem or Watts" - Ronald Reagan

Remember when Kanye West said that George Bush doesn't like Black people after the Katrina debacle? Well, it would appear that some people are of that opinion about Obama in the wake of his now released Federal Budget as it relates to education. So why are people pissed? People are upset because in the budget, Obama & Co. has decided to cut $85 million in funding for HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges & Universities). In these economic times, where Black people are feeling the brunt of the fallout, how dare he do such a thing?

This has been the subject of discussion around the blogosphere, and in one blog in particular it was suggested that Obama truly doesn't care about Black people. Yup, Black people were duped into voting for him is what the blog said. But hey, what else do you expect coming from a blog titled Conservative Black Woman, where the author is heartbroken because her daughter has made the decision to attend an HBCU. Yup, in her opinion HBCUs are irrelevant and they have subpar admission standards. Umm...yeah...riiiiight...

Now, I can understand this being an issue and given the way the race card is often played, there's no doubt that for political expediency this is done as well. But see, that's the problem. When there is a hidden agenda when it comes to any story or issue, often the entire story isn't told. So while people are bitchin and talking about how Obama is screwing up, or is pissin on Black people in this case, they fail to tell you the truth. They conveniently add that funding for Native American college programs were cut as well (they never tell you that Bush did the same thing), while federal funds for programs targeting Hispanics have increased (which is a good thing by the way). Personally, I see this all as an attempt to further polarize the situation, and not tell the entire truth.

So what's the truth RiPPa?

The truth is, the $85 million that he cut was in fact a temporary move when instituted 2yrs ago. But yet, the news and bloggers will give you the impression that this was something these schools have been living off of since slavery was abolished. Sure I understand that these schools need money. But to bitch about this budget cut would be like me protesting because I'm getting kicked out of my FEMA trailer 3yrs after Hurricane Katrina. The point is: these schools knew that this was not permanent and subject to be slashed within any federal fiscal budget year. But yet, Barack Obama doesn’t like Black people.

They're also not saying or telling you that the new budget has a proposal to raise the allotted maximum of the Pell Grant. Ok, so yeah it's only raised by $200 and doesn't offset the $85 million budget cut; yes I know this. However, something that is not noted is that the budget includes $2.5 BILLION for a new five-year Access and Completion incentive fund to support innovative state efforts to help low-income students complete their college education. Yup, in 2010 $500 million will be spent or allotted just for that reason.

Yup, they don't tell you that, but yet all you hear about is how Obama has cut funding for Black colleges. They also don't tell you that the budget also makes permanent the new $2,500 American Opportunity Tax Credit provided in the Recovery Act. The budget also makes campus-based, low-interest loans more widely available through a new modernized Perkins Loan program, overhauling the inefficient and inequitable current Perkins program. Do I have to tell you that the economically disadvantaged students of HBCUs rely heavily on student loan programs? But yet, Barack Obama doesn’t like Black people.

I've touched on the subject of HBCUs and the rates of graduation recently. Given the recent press releases surrounding the issue of graduation rates, it would seem that fixing that problem would be paramount. Just keeping it real, the $85 million that was cut mostly went to programs for students and not the schools directly - indirectly, those schools got those funds from the students.

Yet you get the impression from the news that schools are the ones affected directly from this cutback. If there is a problem highlighting a decline in rates of graduation, doesn’t it stand to reason that the $2.5 billion be the bigger story? The program will include a rigorous evaluation component to ensure that we learn from what works. Instead, the story is: Barack Obama doesn’t like Black people. I mean come on now, if by somehow, this plan of action leads to an increase of the graduation rates, isn't that a win in the long term as opposed to looking at the budget cut in the short term. Ultimately, doesn't society, or more specicically the Black community benefit from this if it works?

I don't know what you might think of all of this, but I think it's nothing but the old divisive style of politics when it comes to Blacks in this country. To me, this is just another way to show or create confusion within the African American collective on this issue; it's why Obama is always referred to as the Messiah to Black America by you know who. Sadly, people buy into what they're fed by people with agendas (mainly the media) and they fail to explore the issue in its entirety.

The real issue or fact is that HBCUs greatly serve or meets the need of Blacks and other minorities who are from families with incomes of $30,000 per year or less. That said, it's easy to see this as just another policy set to marginalize a group of people who are already at an economic disadvantage. But is it really? I mean hell, he's only been in office a little over 100 days. Can we at least wait until he leaves citizens of a major U.S. city drowning before we run with those claims?

So now I ask you: Do you think it was wrong to cut the $85 million for HBCUs?

READ THE EDUCATION BUDGET PROPOSAL HERE

If We Were Made in His Image Then Call Us By Our Names

A week or so ago, my wife's grandmother had triple bypass heart surgery. As she was about six hours into her surgery, we all waited in the waiting room as did everyone else with a loved one going under the surgeon's knife. The mood was quite somber throughout the entire room, and it was to be expected. When you have a relative or someone you love under anesthesia it can be a quite scary time.

The one thing I noticed, was that most of the people in waiting were overweight. To be honest, some of them were morbidly obese, which I thought was rather ironic considering that we were all sitting in the cardiac wing of the hospital. I don't know about the rest of the people there, but I noticed, and I have it thought. Just that visit alone reinforced my commitment to getting healthier.

When we left the waiting room and headed back to the parking lot, we encountered and elderly White couple. When I say elderly, I mean, I can promise you, I thought I saw the angel of death lurking just directly behind them looking at his watch. The sidewalk wasn't wide enough, so my wife stopped behind me to let them by as I wheeled our 18mth old towards the car. The lady smiled at me, and then spoke to my wife. From a short distance I thought I heard the usual, "My, my, my, what a beautiful baby you have." Yeah, this is something I've gotten used to especially when encountering elderly women with a baby in tow; yeah, old women love babies.

A few seconds later after that brief encounter, my wife caught up to me and had this certain look on her face. It's a look that I know all too well; it's the look that often has me ushering the "what did I do wrong this time," line. This time, before I could ask, she said, "That was the most racist thing I've heard in a very long time." I was lost because I thought the lady was just being nice as all old ladies do when they see babies. So I ask, "What’s so racist about saying what a beautiful baby you have?" To which she replied, "Nothing." So now I'm confused and apparently from the look on her face she was confused as well. She then looked at me and said, "Did you not hear what she said?" To which I told her what I heard the lady say. It was then that my wife corrected me; obviously what I thought I heard was wrong. Actually, what the old lady said was...

"Why do y'all always have the prettiest babies?"

Ok, so that was when it hit me that yes, this was indeed a racist statement. No seriously, when my wife repeated it, I translated it to mean, "you niggers sure do make some pretty babies...it's a damn shame y'all get ugly when you grow up!" Yeah, that's what that pretty much translated to in my opinion. I don't know what you think, but am I wrong? If this is true, are all White babies ugly? My wife was a little bit upset as I was still trying to process it as we walked towards the car. I didn't want to dwell too much on it more than I had to. So I just chalked it up to her being old and from another period in time here in the south. It was then that my mind was taken a back to the line I used to say or hear as a child in Catholic school and church...

FORGIVE THEM FATHER, FOR THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO.

Instead of getting upset, I just chalked it up to that. I mean after all, God did make that woman and pretty much all the other racists in this country in his image and his likeness, no? Well RiPPa, God made everybody in his image and likeness! Sorry buddy, but my grandma and pretty much everybody else's had a picture of White Jesus on their walls; I hate to tell you this but that's neither my image nor my likeness.

It is with this understanding that I come to the conclusion that racism, will never die. It may grow old and wrinkled like the lady I'm speaking of, but it will forever live on. To quote the eccentric music artist Erykah Badu in closing: if we were made in his image then call us by his name. A very deep and profound statement. It kinda makes me wonder if I or any other Black person referred to as a Nigger as a pejorative, should feel honored to be of God-like status. After all, aren't we all made in his image?

Recommended reading: "Niggerology"