Jungle Fever: Halle Berry, Interracial Dating & the Politics of Blackness

The media is running rampant with the custody battle over the daughter of Halle Berry and Gabriel Aubry, Nahla. Instead of focusing on the future of this darling child, the conversation has been framed within allegations of racism and hostility between the parents. The controversy has some fans wondering if the "Losing Isaiah" beauty is actually losing her mind after losing her relationship.

Method acting, the process whereby an actor takes on the life of their character outside of filming, is not new to Ms. Berry. Her first on-screen performance in 1989's "Living Dolls" sparked rumors that Halle was getting a little too into her character, playing her parts even after the camera had stopped rolling. Given her most recent tendency to focus on psychological dramas, perhaps her method acting is re-surfacing?


Mental illness is not something to be taken lightly (especially given the social stigma attached to it). So, the speculation around Ms. Berry's mental health needs to be analyzed carefully not only for her sake but also for her daughter's (should Halle win full custody).

The Berry/Aubry racism show-down brought the one-drop rule back into national dialogue (it never left for some of us). While America rides this "multi-racial" bandwagon, which for some has become the neo-liberal agenda of promoting colorblindness or an erasure of racial distinctions, Halle raises an interesting point by claiming her daughter as Blackn and asserting her own Blackness. What is Black?

You Know It's Bad When All You Have is BET

Chrisette Michelle

by Eco.Soul.Intellectual

Dare I say it? I swear I don't want to, but I gotta be honest. BET is the only cable network that consistently features black talent. People, I'm scared right now. How did we come back to the same place we were in the 80s? Absolutely few outlets are celebrating the spine of American music, and the breath of global music---soul music.

So I caught a rerun of the Soul Train Awards (oops sorry, I was watching the Eagles game that night) and enjoyed the Anita Baker Tribute. It was refreshing and sad to see phenomenal vocalists that have limited exposure or have been white-washed out of the industry.

Take for example, the genius Rachelle Ferrell. When I was reporting, people said Rachelle would not make it due to her facial expressions.

Have you ever seen them? Nicki Minaj's twisted big mouth ain't got shit on her.

But the melody that comes out of her mouth. Bee-u-tee-ful. And then there was Kem, my gurl Chrisette, Faith (I'm still rocking 'Soon As I Get Home') and Lalah Hathaway.

Then in between the commercials there were performances by Eric Benet, Tank, and other people desperately attempt to revive a career or maintain a fleeting one. If you are an artist in this business, and you think that only good music and the people's choice gets radio play, you are bound to get the creative spirit kicked out of you.

Black History Month: I ain't from Africa, I'm from Crenshaw Mafia!

Here we go again; another February, another Black History Month. Frankly, for the first time in my adult life I'm a bit conflicted on Black History Month. Yeah, I know that's hard to imagine hearing this coming from "Mr. Fight The Power Kill Whitey Die Die Die," right? I don't know, maybe it's an age thing where the older I get, like Christmas, I see Black History Month as something for the kids, and for their benefit. Yep, and I say that with the realization that the more they know damn sure wouldn't stop them from wearing their pants on the ground, or continuing to kill each other in the streets. Also, how much has Black History Month contributed to the on going fight for equality in a society where said inequality is rationed systematically?

I mean let's face it, it's a month chock full of info about the proud accomplishments of Black people; and that's a good thing; recognizing those accomplishments, that is. But pick any twenty random Negroes and throw them on a game-show where they had to answer Black history questions Jeopardy Style for a million dollars? Yep, you tell me if this game-show was aired every-night for the next twenty eight days of the month how many people would walk away winners intent on donating to the United Negro College Fund.

I'm not saying that Black History isn't important, nor are the many contributions of Black folks to society at large. Instead, like my man Larry Wilmore, I'd rather we got Casinos so we would never have to worry about twenty eight days of trivia that isn't as important or culturally significant as the silly outfits worn by Lady Gaga at the Grammy Awards last night. But then that's probably the fault of white folks. If they paid reparations then they wouldn't have to worry about being made to feel guilty by re-runs of Roots three times a day for twenty eight days. But then again, they gave us Barack Obama and a few Black Ms. Americas, so...

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know if you don't know your past you won't know your future and all of that. But why should we when there are folks among us who don't agree on whether to be called African Americans, Black or Negro. I mean if all that matters is the here and now and we should move past the dark days in our history as some believe we should. Hell, a significant number of Black people don't feel a connection to Africa anyway; and I'll be honest, this is very sad when we overlook our glorious past prior to the slave trade. That said, why then even celebrate Black History Month? If you're gonna tell history, Black history, why stop or start with slavery? Aren't we greater than that as a people? Oh well, maybe you can answer that question for me while for the moment I let loose my inner Republican:

Paul Mooney: "Black Is The New White"

Since America has been deemed post-racial, there has been a renewed interest in Black America; yes, a renaissance of sorts. Everybody wants to now know what we eat - which apparently has caught on in Australia by the way - how we dress, how we talk, how we do our hair...you get the picture, right? It seems like every week something is or becomes the new black which gives credence to what my man Paul Mooney said some time ago...

"Everybody wanna be a nigger, but don't nobody wanna be a nigger."

Yep, this racism shit is hilarious!

That line has stuck with me for a few years now as I am a longtime fan of the man and his work. Let's be honest, Mooney is a comedic genius who is often not heralded as such, but his work is timeless. Shit, I know some of you Neo-Negroes still laugh at those Richard Pryor jokes you had to sneak and listen to when you were kids. Well, Paul Mooney had a lot to do with those Richard Pryor jokes and he has released a memoir of his life as an ode to Richard Pryor titled "Black Is The New White".

Since everything is the "New Black" these days, just the title alone made me laugh. As Michael E. Ross puts it, the book is also a reflection of the struggle for acceptance and self-determination in our private American lives. Off top the title struck me as one of careful calculation and purpose. If you know Mooney and his work, the title alone creates an insatiable desire for the blend of irreverent humor as a crackhead would before taking his first hit. Yes, Mooney is just that damn powerful as a comedian, and I plan to pickup this book before the week is out as I can imagine just what it has to offer. What can I say, I have a thing for people who are controversially outspoken with the ability to make people laugh as they think.

Speaking of which, I caught the following clip of an interview he did with well known hip hop journalist and activist, my man Davey D (on twitter @mrdaveyd) as he spoke about the book, race, celebrities and life in America for people of color. It's a three part interview, but this one I thought spoke volumes as he praises Kanye West as his new hero, and goes in hard on Beyonce, Taylor Swift, and Oprah Winfrey. Do yourself a favor and checkout Davy D's channel on YouTube for the entire interview and more, will you?

Check it out:

Guest Blogger: I'm in Brazil, and I'm not Coming Back to the USA! (by Francis L. Holland)

(Editor's Note: The following post comes from Francis L. Holland. A fellow Afrospear member who blogs over at The Francis L. Holland Blog as well as an assortment of great sites.Checkout how he breaks it down as he attempts to broaden your world view a bit.)

People here in Bahia, Brazil often ask me why I’ve come to live in a “Third World” country when I could live in the United States, where I was born, educated, and practiced law. I guess the simplest way to explain it is in terms of what drove me away, how I got to Brazil, and what makes me stay here.

When I lived in the United States, I was so depressed that I didn’t want to live anymore, even though I was becoming increasingly more recognized among immigration lawyers and non-profit program managers, was earning a good salary and drove a new car . . . I felt empty and lonely inside and didn’t want to be alive any more. I sought psychiatric help, but often the biggest barrier to care was the cheap-ass American insurance companies I had, even as a managing attorney in a large corporation. My doctors had to lie and say I was suicidal, even during weeks when I was feeling better, in order for my care to be covered.

Instead of just ending it all, I decided to do something equally dramatic. I enrolled in a USA university’s French language program and applied to learn French on the French Riviera, while living off student loans. In France, all of my medical care for my psychiatric illness was 100% covered by my French government insurance, which cost me about three hundred dollars a year. The Government also paid 30% of my apartment rent, because I was a student. I began to see more and more that the USA just isn’t “the best country in the world”, compared to what many other countries offer to their citizens and even to foreign students..

After 30 months in France, I was getting along quite well in French and was even enrolled in a doctoral program for international law. I had a doctoral thesis project and had passed a number of law courses taught entirely in French. Once again, though, I came to feel empty and purposeless in spite of the doctoral program, university friends, and an apartment near the beach. The depression and suicidal thoughts came back like a flock of locusts that won’t leave even after the fields have been picked dry.

One negative thing about my personality is that as soon as I learn to do something competently, then I don’t want to do it anymore. I constantly need new challenges, if only because confronting them distracts me from inner loneliness and emptiness. I couldn’t feel happy anymore in France. By 2003, with the Bush Administration’s ballooning war deficit devaluing the US dollar overseas, I just couldn’t afford to live in there anymore, and I thought that I had seen all that I would see there.

So, I researched countries where the US dollar was more valuable and took a bus to Krakov, Poland, where I contracted for an apartment much less expensive than the one in France, and returned to France to gather my things. (I was one of only three Black people I saw during a week in Poland, but I thought I could handle that.)

It was at this point that an Italian friend returned to France from a vacation in Brazil, accompanied by the most beautiful and enchanting young Portuguese-speaking girlfriend imaginable. Together they convinced me that I would be much happier in Brazil, where there is great Afro-Brazilian food, Samba, Pagode and Axé music and dance, Afro-Brazilian culture and heritage, and a uniquely Brazilian martial arts form called, Capoeira. The dollar went a long way, they assured me.

They convinced me that I would surely find the woman of my dreams in Brazil and begin a family, even with financial resources that in France were laughable. (A Coca Cola at a beach restaurant in Brazil costs one dollar, but it costs seven dollars in France, not including the fifteen dollar French charge just for occupying a beach chair.)

After some Internet research, I decided to give Brazil a chance. I sold everything I had (car, kayaks, law books, tools, stove and dishwasher) and was able to buy a ticket to Brazil, with two hundred dollars to spare. I couldn’t afford to travel for a mere visit to Brazil, while continuing to pay rent and monthly expenses in France. So, I had to jump into Brazil with both feet or not at all.

Glenn Beck, White Culture, and Knowing When to Play Dumb

Glenn Beck might be an asshole, or play a clown on television. But best believe, he’s not an idiot – he knows where his bread is buttered. Sure some of you may think he was being his normal self – an asshole – when he refused to answer Katie Couric’s question as to what exactly is “White Culture”. Don’t think for a minute that this guy didn’t know what he meant when he said what he said about the current president. He knew full well what he meant when he said that president Obama has a “deep-seated hatred for White culture.”

So why didn’t he just answer the question? He did not answer because he has lost enough ad revenue due to the activism of colorofchange.org. Yes, and he isn’t trying to lose anymore than he has. To date, he has lost about 50% of his sponsorship for his show. Bottom line: Glenn Beck is just like everybody else in this country – he’s a slave to the almighty dollar. Which when you think about it, happens to be the very reason he’s on the air. That said, for his sake, it was best that he not answer the question so as to give those colored Negroes who love change more fuel as his pockets are becoming deflated. I'm willing to bet if he was asked just what white culture is not, he would have had a lot to say.

QUESTION(S): What is white culture? Is it really white culture considering that much of it has been “stolen” from other cultures?

Beauty is not only skin deep; it's expensive. At least that's what I think about the Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) president.

I usually try and dispel stereotypes of Black people with this blog, and today I'm not going to be any different. With that said, allow me to ask the following question: have you ever seen an ugly sister as member of the Black Greek Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) sorority? If you have lemme know. No joke, send me a pic if you have one. I don't know about you, but I've never seen an ugly AKA. All the sisters back in my day who were in that sorority were some of the finest sisters, and most beautiful women on campus. Not saying that all the other sisters in other sororities were ugly. It's just that there seemed to be a certain requirement to being an AKA. Uh huh, yeah, I know you giving me the side-eye right now. And no I'm not gonna even talk about the sorority that had all the heavy set dark skinned sisters. What y'all think I'm some kinda shit starter on here...(pause)...? There are certain stereotypes which have historically followed the AKA sorority, and it just just another one of those things that have us brothers and sisters screwed up. Even still, I must say that this following story doesn't help refute said stereotype:

WASHINGTON (AP) — Members of the nation's oldest black sorority are alleging more financial misdeeds by their president, who is already accused of spending hundreds of thousands of dollars of the group's money on questionable expenses, including a wax statue of herself.

Eight members of Alpha Kappa Alpha filed a lawsuit in D.C. Superior Court in June seeking to remove international president Barbara McKinzie.

Now they say she received nearly $500,000 in questionable payments from the Chicago-based sorority over six weeks this summer, starting June 19, the day before the lawsuit was filed.

The lawsuit says McKinzie spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in AKA money on herself, some of it to pay for the statue to be displayed in the National Great Blacks in Wax Museum in Baltimore.

It also alleges that McKinzie bought designer clothing, jewelry and lingerie with the sorority credit card, then redeemed points the purchases earned on the card to buy a big-screen television and gym equipment.

The lawsuit questions the legitimacy of $375,000 in compensation that McKinzie received in 2007, saying it was never approved by members. Past AKA presidents have received only small stipends, said Edward W. Gray Jr., an attorney for the sorority members who are suing.

The latest allegations stem from copies of checks that Gray said were sent to the plaintiffs anonymously. The checks, for a total of $499,699, are made out to McKinzie by the sorority. The copies have been posted on a Web site the plaintiffs set up. [read the rest of the story]

Now ain't that ugly? You spend $500,000 on yourself for jewelry, clothes, lord knows what else, and a f*ckin statue? A statue?!! Hell, Martin Luther King Jr. doesn't even have a Washington Monument built in his honor just yet, but you're paying for a statue of your likeness? Look lady, obviously that cute "skeewi," shit has gone to your head. You ain't gonna tell me that this sister doesn't think that her shit don't stink. I mean seriously, $500,000 of other people's money? You know how many bake sales they had to raise that type of money? Damn, I known being cute is expensive, but I'm sorry, Barbara McKinzie, you ma'am are trippin. She may not be photogenically challenged, but clearly she's out of her her rabbit ass mind.

I know it's always been said that power corrupts. But I wanna believe that if she was a member of the ugly fat dark-skinned girl sorority she would not have done such a thing. Yeah, ugly sorority members just don't do things like that. But I guess when you're the president of the cute girls club you can just say screw using the money for community activism and giving back. And to think, kids are having a hard time paying for college these days. Oh well, they may not be able to pay tuition, but they can sure go to the National Great Blacks in Wax Museum in Baltimore and see what cuteness looks like.

QUESTION: Am I wrong about the Black Greek sorority stereotypes?

Is BET's Black College Tour a good or bad thing? Is this the best way to highlight HBCUs?

See the kid in the picture above? That's my little bro who's currently attending North Carolina A&T. I love that young man, and he reminds me of myself when I was in college. See back then, I was somewhat of a rabble rouser when it came to activism, social justice, and that whole change thing before it married hope and became a presidential campaign slogan.

My brother called me the other night to ask me what were my thoughts about BET. Never one to hold my tongue, I told him how I felt. After which he informed me that BET has contacted his college and has asked if they could come to their campus as part of their Black College Tour. If you're not aware of just what that is, it's a program which airs on BET every year. Each week, they take a camera crew to selected HBCUs and showcase what's supposed to be Black college life. After watching it you get the impression that there's a rapper who performs on all Black campus' at the Greek step shows which are held at least nine times a day. Uh huh, no wonder the graduation rate at HBCUs are what they are.

But anywhichaways, my brother is opposed to them coming because as he sees it, BET has nothing to offer mainstream Black America. I mean, that's with the exception of College Hill of course; you can't knock quality programing like that; if I was 17 or 18 years old again, I'd definitely wanna go to college after watching that show. So now my brother and the SGA (Student Government Association) president are putting together a plan of action to stop BET from coming to their school. Yep, we all had a small phone conference discussing it. I don't want to get into much of what was said, but all I can say is that I'm proud that there are young people who are willing to take a stand against the bullshit.

It's going to be interesting to see how this turns out and I promise to update you guys as to how it develops. Until then, just because you need a good laugh today, be sure to checkout this episode from The Boondocks and lemme know what you think. Also, be sure to lemme know your thoughts on the "Say No to BET" campaign that my brother and his friends and fellow students are undertaking. Me as an old head, I'll just sit back and watch how they the young people make it happen.

Uncle Ruckus Reality Show:

The Uncle Ruckus Reality Show-The Boondocks

My Apologies to Soledad O'Brien and CNN on behalf of the United Negroes of America

Recently I did a post The Top 10 Reasons Why You Should Watch CNN's Black in America 2. Today, after watching the first installment or part one, I must say that for me it was quite worth the 2hrs of my time; now, as for the reactions of some of my cousins? Well, let’s just say that they don't feel as I do. I honestly didn't want to even share my thoughts on the show until I saw part 2 or the conclusion to the series. But after reading some of the commentary around the blogosphere I feel compelled to open my big ass mouth.

CNN, I want to apologize to you for my people. On behalf of the United Negroes of America -- you know the ones who enjoyed your show last night? -- I offer you my sincerest apology. You may not know it CNN, but many of my people have been bashing your show. They did that last year as well, and, umm, I kinda felt their pain back then. Yes, I too in the pre-Obama age felt some type of way about you airing out our dirty laundry for White America to use as confirmation on long held beliefs. This year however, I'm not feeling them -- the Angry Negro crowd -- so much. Before going into details allow me to say: it is my belief that Black people in America will never be happy.

That's right CNN, you can't please all Negroes. However, don't allow all this "hate" to permit you from bringing forth the programming which illustrates the various experiences that is being Black in America. You see, last year Negroes were complaining about all the negative stereotypes or illustrations of some of our social ills. The funny thing about that is that in doing so, none of them could dispel your presentation to be false. The irony of all of this today is that you put forth a much more nuanced approach with focus on solutions in education, and yet, Negroes are still mad.

You showed us thirty kids from the Bushwick neighborhood (not too far from the Brooklyn neighborhood my mother lives in that I know all too well) who through the work of a wealthy Black woman took them to South Africa. You showed us that in an attempt to illustrate how broadening our world-view has a positive impact on our lives as Black Americans, but even that wasn't good enough. I don't know, maybe it's the fact that me being born and having resided in the Caribbean as a child I'm a bit critical of the Black people in America who cannot even find Africa on a map. Trust me; I've had a hard time convincing a few of my Black American cousins that Africa and Jamaica aren't neighboring islands.

I know, you probably don't know this CNN, but Black people in America are just finicky like that. What can I say, White America has done quite the job on our minds and it didn't happen overnight; it took about 400yrs or so. In a society where we're inundated with negative images of Black people -- you know like on our local 10 o'clock news? -- You’d think that my cousins would be happy to see some well to do African Americans, who are doing well on your show. But no, that's not good enough; no, instead the complaint is: too many bougie light skinned people. Yeah CNN, it would appear that to my cousins you didn't keep it real enough.

Uh huh, and the sad thing about it is that they think that Barack Obama isn't one of those uppity elitist Negroes you showed on TV last night. Which is rather funny because he himself is now the measuring stick for African American success? Yes, today all Black kids are told that they too can be like Barack Obama. Be like the bougie Negroes you showed? Nah, not so much; but we've got that "keeping it real" thing down to a science. You see Black people in America "keep it so real" that we cannot help but to talk shit and only see the glass as half empty when you guys go out of your way to show Black people in a good light for two damn hours of our lives. Yeah, some of them are still mad that you showed how the dauther of an alcoholic father, and crackhead mother can manage to go to college. Yep, screw the triumph in what that young lady acomplished CNN. You guys made us look bad by putting that dysfunctional family on there.

I won't even take the time to go into how much it was a great idea of showing that sister walking away from her $70K per year job and entering that 18mth program as prep for her MBA. Nope, I'm not going to even touch that one because, well, quite honestly, some of my people missed the mark on that one. Yeah, and my inbox is filled with hate mail as is, and I don't need the extra headache. Just know that I thought it was good to see Black women especially doing big things. Yes, and hopefully just by her example we'll see more sisters break the glass ceiling that is landscape of corporate America.

Just know CNN, that this Black man in America is glad that you did what you did in part one of your show. Just know that I'm eagerly awaiting the airing of part two to air. And in closing I say to you CNN and Soledad O'Brien: keep up the good work and don't change what you're doing; hopefully last night's episode will impact the lives of our youth and adults who are not adverse to change, or maybe even hope. Here’s to hoping that the response from Latinos and Latinas in America when you air your documentary focusing on them in October. Hopefully the “Wise Latinos/Latinas” are not as fastidious as my Black relatives in America.

They Call Me "Little Man"

A very good friend of mine sent this to me in an email last week:

I meant to post this last week, but I could not have done this at a more perfect time. After reading one of the most powerful posts from one of my blog brothers Brown Man Thinking Hard, I had to bring this today. His post was centered around education and today's youth. His post stemmed from a conversation on another blog where it was suggested that maybe Black kids are failing in school because the curiculum was too 'Eurocentric' -- a pretty stupid asertion if you ask me. That said, I must say that I agree with Brown Man's post entitled: "Keeping It Real" - Being Stupid On Purpose. Do yourself the favor of clicking the title of his post and have a read; I believe it's well worth it.

Now, after looking at the previous video or teaser for CNN's Black in America 2, I was left to ponder these Socratic questions:

How is it that a man who grew up picking cotton as the grandson of slaves was able to raise a family with 13 kids, and was able to put 5 of them through college? Why is it that parents today are having a hard time getting their kids to graduate high school? How is it, that he was able to do that without any education, but yet the high school drop out rate is what it is today? Oh yeah, just in case you didn't know, it's pretty damn low [Read: Losing Our Future: How Minority Youth Are Being Left Behind by the Graduation Rate Crisis.].

Are kids failing in schools and dropping out because, well, the curriculum is too eurocentric? What other excuses can you come up with that explains what's happening? I'm only asking because like Brown Man, I'm not going to accept that one. If all 13 of "Little Man's" kids can graduate high school in rural Mississippi and 5 of them advance to college, what's the problem? Is the problem the lack of uneducated Black men the likes of "Little Man" raising their kids today? Surely this Black man isn't an anomaly is he?

Listen, I know the subject of this post deals with education as the questions have laid out. But I would be remiss if I didn't shed light on the beauty of this story. It just goes to show that though us Black men get a bum rap in the media. There are many of us out here who do not or will not be held to a certain negative stereotype or perception. I'm willing to bet that there are many more Black men out there like "Little Man" but maybe not as old. I could only hope that CNN with their upcoming Black in America 2 documentary do a good job of highlighting this fact. We are all aware of the negative stereotypes and it is stories like this that should be used to inspire us.

If "Little Man" can triumph against all odds, why can't we all?

Check out one of my favorites from Nina Simone:

Preaching to the choir

I listened to Barack Obama's speech at the NAACP, and I'll be honest, it wasn't one of those come to Jesus moments for me. Unlike the people in attendance the Holy Ghost didn't run through me, nor did I start speaking in tongues. I suppose it's due in part to the fact that I felt like he broke no new ground with his speech; seriously, how many times have we heard the whole dreaded "PR" words - personal responsibility - dished out at us. Of course this "self-accountability" theme or line he delivered is being played out by the media for obvious reasons. Yeah, I know it's the NAACP so it's probably to be expected, but tell me something I don't know. I mean, tell me about how the green jobs are going to create employment in the Black community. Tell me about how those "shovel ready" projects are coming along and it's impact on the crisis of minority unemployment. Tell me if us minorities will ever have to worry about predatory lending ever again.

I don't know, but is it too audacious to think that a person like myself filled with hope and longing for change to ask this of our president? Can we hear some talk about how implemented policy will directly, and specifically impact the Black community? How much longer will we as Black people be the choir that is lectured? When will we be just members of the church who tithe every week and question the progress on the building fund? Look, personal responsibility, and the importance of education is one thing - an important thing. However, haven't we stressed these ideals a time or two? The thing that bothers me, is that if this were George W. Bush giving the very same speech - obviously with less eloquence and passion - a part of me thinks that us Black folks would be offended. Yes, we would and I dare you to tell me I'm wrong; I'll let you marinate on that as I move on.

Speaking of hope, change and social justice:

A good friend of mine, Tracie Powell, who is a weekly contributor to CQpolitics wrote a piece recently that I found interesting and thought provoking. Her piece centers around president of the Los Angeles chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Rev. Eric P. Lee. He has come under fire for expressing an opposing view which supports the LGBT movement and their fight for equality and marriage. As a result of his stance or support the organization wants him fired. Her piece is titled: Gay Marriage: What Would King Do?, and after reading it one can only wonder - as I did - what, how or where would Martin Luther King Jr. stand on this issue today were he alive. I'd really like you to take the time to click the aforementioned link to her post and give it a read.

It is my hope that you would be brave enough to leave your honest opinion on her post as you would here. Personally I would hope that if Martin Luther King Jr. were alive today, he would lend his support to the LGBT movement. After all, he he did champion for equality economically and socially, did he not? However, even in knowing that as well all do. A part of me wants to think that he too would have back pedaled and become hypocritical and lend no support to this cause. Him being a Black preacher, I think he would have folded under the pressure of the Black church, and organizations like the SCLC, and I think that would have been tragic. Tragic because for most of us, it's probably hard to see Martin Luther King Jr. as a hypocrite. Even more tragic, is that there are some of us who believe that organizations like the SCLC and the NAACP are no longer relevant. Well, if they aren't where would Barack Obama go to preach to the choir?

QUESTION(S):

What did you think of Barack Obama's speech in front of the NAACP gathering?

Do you think Martin Luther King Jr. would be supportive of the LGBT w/ gay marriage?

Do you think as an organization, that the NAACP or the SCLC are still relevent today?

Just like Michael Jackson I hate being Black; I will now transform and become an Albino. Yeah and I'm gonna inject my lips with Collagen too.

That's right; I'm done with you Black people. No longer will I consider myself a Negro, a Black man, African American or whatever other forms of description which implies my ethnic makeup. Damn right, from here on out I wanna be an Albino. Yup, the death of Michael Jackson was all it took for me to see the light.

I mean obviously I'm not Black enough like the Black people who are quick to say that MJ turned his back on the Black community. Or, he had an identity crisis and wanted to be White. Or, that he wanted to be White so bad that he went as far as to buy the sperm out of a White man's balls and have them planted inside a White woman to produce his offspring like Debbie Roe did.

SIDENOTE: Show me a Black woman who would have been comfortable with the arrangement to carry Mike's kids and take the money in exchange for the potential future custody of said kids.

Yeah, this man has been dead exactly one week and now that the initial shock has worn off you Negroes are coming out of the woodwork with this type of talk. Yeah, Michael Jackson hated himself and he wasn't Black enough for you, right? Silly Negroes, how come you never apply the same logic to White folks when they tan themselves to death?

Lemme guess, Mr. Drummond hated himself as well; enough so to go out and adopt "Willis" & "Arnold" who's last name just so happened to be Jackson as well? The thing is, this game has been run so much on us by non-minorities that they've gotten into our heads like my man Macon D over at Stuff White People Do asserted recently.

Do you hear White folks talking this mess in the wake of MJ's death? No you don't. You never hear it said in the media that Michael Jackson hated his Blackness so he lied about Vitilago and then proceeded to bleach his entire body including his penis. No, you never hear that, but yet you hear it from Negroes all damn day long; Negroes who have become experts of the very hate that the hater made themselves.

The funny thing about all this bullshit talk is that I'm willing to bet that all these "I'm Blacker than midnight" folks, perm their hair, wore a Jheri Curl at one point or still do, wash their hair with Garnier Fructise, buy $6 lattes, ate off food stamps, wear expensive weaves made of Asian hair, or never donate to the United Negro College Fund. That's the funny part about all this in my opinion.

They always question the Blackness of famous people of color and use Blackness as a measure of loyalty. I could understand that to an extent, but when you measure MJ's Blackness or loyalty to the Negro collective based on the metamorphosis of his skin color and not his body of work, I find that disingenuous. Save that type of talk for someone who's on the Supreme Court who if he had it his way he'd remove Affirmative Action, the Voting Rights Act, and bring back slavery.

But hey, what do I know. I probably don't agree with these assertions because I too hate myself. Oh well, I'll just have to run out to the store and pick up some of that industrial strength "Hey I Wanna Be White" skin cream. I'll be sure it has enough Hydroquinone to burn my penis off because I'm obviously not Black enough to understand where some folks are coming from.

Let them tell it, James Brown hated himself for wearing a perm as were all the Negro performers who didn’t wear an Afro and a Dashiki back in the day. Yup, self hate produced "Say it Loud (Black & Proud)" and that's why James went back to the perm instead of sporting the Afro until he died. Was James Brown not Black enough or hated himself and that's why he wore a perm? Is Al Sharpton's perm a symbol of self hate?

Yes, Michael Jackson hated himself just as Cher - who has had maybe 15 million ribs removed - or any other entertainer Black or White who has had plastic surgery or wears padded underwear like Beyonce to fool people into thinking she has a fat ass. Ah yes, that hate thing sure is beautiful isn’t it? Hell I hate being Black so much I might just go shrink my penis.

The messed up part of all of this is that everybody is now an expert clinical psychologist on Negro behavior but yet they can't fix their own pathologies. Life would be great if we were all Albinos I suppose. But then again, they’re subjected to much hate so they too possibly hate themselves as well. Sometimes my own people piss me off not because of the things they say. But because they fail to see their own internalized oppression and how they express it.

There are people on the continent of Africa who bleach their faces...

I wonder if they hate themselves as well?

Southern Negroes:They shoulda neva gave youy n*ggas money!!

If you've seen the movie "Driving Miss Daisy", and all the other slave movies set in the south just like it, the one thing you'll learn is that people down south are some of the most mannerly people in the country. Seriously, it’s like a different world down here compared to the north. Up north you'd be lucky to even have a stranger walking down the street look you in the face and smile hello without giving you the middle finger. Unfortunately, it is not like that in the south. In the south, people speak to you. Sometimes you may not know what they're saying in their dialect, but you recognize their warm welcoming attitude.

That was one of the first things I noticed when I moved down south a few years ago. All of a sudden, I started hearing people say "Yes Sir", "No sir", "Yes Ma'am", "No Ma'am" when speaking. It threw me for a loop because I was never referred to as sir from anybody as far back as I can remember. All the kids call me sir, and it freaks me out. I ask them a question, and it’s always "Yes Sir" or "No Sir". I'm not used to that, and I even had to warn my daughter when she visited from up north last summer. We spoke about it when she was here and even she thought it was weird. Wow, these people are so polite around here was my initial thought. But then I stayed here for a while and found out differently.

Lemme tell you...

never in my life have I encountered some of the nastiest people without any home training. No joke, these people are some of the most uncouth muthafuckas I've ever encountered. All that "Yes Sir, No Sir" shit is just a facade. I think it’s just one of those cultural things that was left over from slavery. You know, kinda like the state of Georgia flying a confederate flag above the state capitol? Yeah, just like that. I mean seriously, I can't stand a person who has no home training as it’s often referred to. It’s as though there isn't any decorum around these parts. You know the people who lack proper social communication skills? I hate that shit. That whole southern gentlemen or southern belle shit may have happened once upon a time, but it damn sure isn't happening these days. Even if it did, I have to question whether it ever involved the behavior of Blacks in this regard.

I hate when I encounter someone and offer them the traditional hello in a kind and welcoming tone and get no response. I hate that shit; yes I hate rude people. I hate when people walk into my home or anywhere I've been first and not speak to me. You don't have to speak to me directly like I'm a King or anything, but at least act the part like you recognize that you're in someone else's home. I've had that happen to me on more than one occasion recently, and I'm getting sick of it. Morgan Freeman is from the south and I'm pretty sure he acts nothing like the rest of these people around here. But then again, he left and went to that other country called the North. I'm pretty sure that with him living in Mississippi right now he can understand my pain. Then again, maybe he wouldn’t. He’s rich and famous so they'll always be nice to him. Me? No such luck.

I'm also sick of going to a business establishment and being treated like either I'm invisible, or like my breath stinks by other Black people. Down here, it’s like a fuckin chore to do what you're paid to do and be hospitable. Now I'm sure this happens all over the country, but I guess it pisses me off down here because these Black folks are all formal when they address you. Hell, they even call you by your first name and put Mister in front of it. That right there is the bullshit I can't stand; yes, it irks my damn nerves.

"Hey Mr. Patrick, how can I help you?"

Asshole, Patrick is my first name. Where I come from, you address people using their last name with the title Mister in front of it. Maybe I'm just trippin or asking for too much from people around here. Hell, maybe I just don't know the southern laws or something because things sure are different around here than where I come from. I have to wonder if I were white if I'd be treated differently. But then again, though they may treat me differently, as in nicer, I'm pretty sure they'd spit in my soda and hand it to me with a smile.

I could understand and respect the cultural differences which are geographically determined. But damn, if you gonna call me Sir all the damn time, at least act like you have some home training otherwise, that's not limited to putting a title in front of someone's name. I mean what ever happened to "thank you", "please", "you're welcome", and "I'm sorry"? Sure I know people up north are short on that too, but they don't set me up for failure by thinking they're nice people like the people around here do. I mean, if you're gonna act the part of a slave and constantly referring to me as Mister Patrick and shit, the least you can do is come to my house and pick my cotton. Maybe they should bring back Negro Water Fountains. I'm pretty sure that back then in the days of segregation they were nicer to each other than they are now.

QUESTION:What are some of your pet peeves about where you live?

Divesting from the Black Community: Run Black Woman Run!

"When a thriving African American or urban community is realized, certainly as a society as a whole we all win." - John Anderson

There is a married couple in Illinois right now - the Anderson's who are pictured above - who are conducting an experiment of buying exclusively from Black businesses for one year. They live in Chicago, which if you don't know, happens to be located in the county, which has the most, Black people per capita in the country. They've named their social experiment "Ebony Project". Not a daunting task considering where they live, right? Well, on the contrary. It's has not been easy and they've even had to drive up to 14mls out of their neighborhood just to do grocery shopping, and 18mls just to get to a health food store for vitamins. They have also gone as far as to purchase gas cards online from Black owned gas stations well outside of their city to compensate their undertaking. So why are they doing this experiment? It's their belief that with the Black community being underserved, coupled with the $850 billion buying power of the Black community annually, this shift may in some small way help to expand and bring money back into the Black community.

In other words, this experiment is about giving back. You can read their full story here if you haven't already. They are encouraging other African Americans to do just as they are as well. Me personally, I could see doing this, and realize that it is in effect what is needed in order to strengthen our community from a financial perspective. Sounds like a good thing doesn't it? Well, not to everybody Black at least. You see, I never knew this, but there is a movement which seeks to empower Black women, by them divesting in the Black community. I was privileged to come across this information by reading a couple blogs about it. Honestly, I think its a very bad idea that centers around men bashing, and can never have positive effects on the community.

Of course the people who subscribe to this theory are not believers in what I sayas I did over at the blog Happy Nappy Head. According to them, the Black community is beyond saving. According to them, there is an "Ark" that is representative or symbolic of saving the Black woman. According to them, it is the Black man who has destroyed our communities, deliberately harm Black woman, and contribute to much of the negativity we see and hear about. You know, the whole 70% single Black women raising kids thing, right? Not just that, but also that Black men are responsible for all the crime in our communities and it is the Black man who has made it unsafe for the Black woman and her children.

Well, to them, Black woman are looked at as being the savior of the Black community. By who, I have no clue, but since it's up to them - Black women - with the Black community being beyond repair, the best strategy for them, would be to cut and run. Yes, divesting is what they suggest Black women do. No joke, I'm not making this up; you can click the links above to see just what I'm talking about. Now, can you tell me just how this is something positive? I mean, currently, in this country, for every dollar in the White community as far as wealth is concerned, there is 10 cents in the Black community. Yes, the gap of wealth is that wide per the release of a study done by the Federal Reserve which is conducted every three years.

These results are as accurate as of the year 2007, and I seriously think in the future, given the economic downturn which affects Blacks and other minorities hardest, that the gap will be shown to be even wider. So that said, isn't it even more important that we pull together as a people, and invest in our community as opposed to divesting? I mean, when you divest, economically and otherwise, where and what are you investing in? And when you do, though you may feel that it's beneficial to you as a Black woman or Black person, what is it doing to the community at large?

Growing up, I was told that one should not be a part of the problem, but instead part of the solution. Well, is divesting truly a part of the solution for the Black female collective? To me, cutting and running is the easy thing to do. Not only that, though it is your choice to do so, I find it rather selfish, and shows a weakness in character. I don't know what you may think, but I didn't see men like Martin Luther King Jr. divest from the Negro collective, or not focus on the people in this country who needed a voice back in the 60's. You know the very same people who were riddled with pretty much the same social issues, and ills due to their economic disadvantage? For that matter, never did Angela Davis as she continues to speak out and remain active in issues of social and economic injustices in this great land of ours.

Maybe because I'm a Black man who works to serve a higher purpose other than me when it comes to my people, I feel the way I do. Yeah, maybe that's it. The hell if I know. However, I do know Harriet Tubman must be rolling over in her grave when she hears Black woman with this type of talk. If she ever was a ghost, I think some of these sisters would think twice if she appeared and pulled her famous pistol in an attempt to get them to realize that the fight and struggle is not theirs alone. I don't care what they say, but divest as you may, but sadly, at the end of the day, you'll still be Black just like the rest of us you've left behind.

Goonette: How LL Cool J Ruined It For Black Women

Houston, we have a problem. No not you Whitney, I’m talking about us Black people. More specifically, I'm speaking about young urban Black men and women in our culture. Ok, so where do I start. Last week one of my readers sent me a video which was a trailer for an upcoming TV reality show by the rapper known as Plies.

The upcoming show is called Goonette. You see, according to Plies of the now infamous “Buss It Baby” fame, here’s the definition of a Goonette:

• Strong, independent woman.
• A woman who embodies and exudes confidence.
• A woman who is able to overcome trials and tribulations set before her with style and grace.
• Female hustler.
• A survivor.

Ok, so as defined above by Plies, a Goonette is pretty much the embodiment of what a “Strong Black Woman” is all about, right? By definition, these are all positive characteristics, right? Ok, so if this upcoming show is as defined to be an uplift to womanhood, or Black womanhood in particular, why even use the term Goonette? I mean, since when did being a “goon” become a positive image? Oh I get it, being a GOONETTE is a step up from the whole bitches & hoes thing. Also, if you are really trying to promote positive images of women, would this be the lead-off trailer for your show?

Check it out:

Now, if you’re a single mother female stripper, that’s your problem. No, I can’t fault you for being a midget; personally, I think that’s God’s idea of a practical joke. However, being a single mother who has to resort to stripping to survive? Umm, you get no love worthy of enrichment from me, especially if you're proud enough of that to be on TV. I mean, I've heard of women using what they got to get what they want; however, I never thought a woman could or would ever use being a midget to her advantage. But hey, once this show is aired, I suppose my two teenage daughters are supposed to look to this woman as an inspiration.

I know that all Black women can’t all be Michelle Obama. But damn, a single mother who happens to be a midget stripper? A woman who is the embodiment of female empowerment? Really?!! C’mon Plies, this is just another form of Blaxploitation. Hell, the fact that this woman is as short as she is being a midget and all, it could be seen as borderline child abuse. What? I’m just sayin?!! The shit is fucked up, it’s not right, and it's indicative of a larger problem in our society.

Sadly, this woman doesn’t even realize that she’s being exploited because she is vertically challenged. Ok, so I’m trying to be politically correct and not call her a midget, ok? But she clearly has no problem being the bearded lady at the carnival sideshow as she said. Be that as it may, people are going to make money off of her as they are already. So who’s to blame for all of this? Hip Hop, men, women, society, racism, sexism, slavery, who, or what? Some of you may say it’s her or women in general, and some may tend to think it’s all the fault of men. Well, I say it’s a combination of all of the above.

However, if I have to place the blame on any one thing or person specifically, I’d say it’s all the fault of LL Cool J. Yeah that’s right; LL Cool J is to blame. You see, if he never made the song “I Need Love” none of this would be happening. First off, if he hadn't’t made that song, there would be no Plies with all his silly ass songs on the airwaves appealing to immature women, young and old. Let’s face it, if there was no “I Need Love”, there would be no “Buss It Baby”, no “Goonette”, and definitely no Black midget strippers on TV.

You see LL Cool J is the reason for all the misogyny in Hip Hop. Back then, he tapped into an open market that was women. It’s because of him women all feel the need to gain attention from silly Negroes like Plies. Yup, it's because of LL Cool J, that Plies looks like his breath stinks in the pic above. And you know what? Just like LL, females are loving this guy. Now all of a sudden, all these young women wanna be Goonettes. Face it folks, "I Need Love" has totally fucked up our culture. Yup, just wait and see how "The Stanky Leg" plays itself out in the future.

LL Cool J said he needed love and look at what happened, he got a TV show. So who is Plies to be any different. Don’t blame Plies, blame LL Cool J. Yes, because women feel the need for love attention, they are willing to degrade themselves the way they do. Or be as blinded as this woman to not know that’s exactly what she is doing to herself. And you see, there are men who capitalize on that. Yes, and people complain about the usage of bitches and hoes in hip hop lyrics, but they fail to realize that there are women who answer, and hold themselves to these terms stereotypically. All of this goes to show, that just like all women, midgets need love too, but all love ain't real love.

Singing Your Song: An African Custom

When a woman in a certain African tribe knows she is pregnant, she goes out into the wilderness with a few friends and together they sing, chant, and meditate until they hear the song of the child. They recognize that every soul has its own vibration that expresses its unique flavor and purpose. When the women attune to the song, they sing it out loud. Then they return to the tribe and teach it to everyone else.

When the child is born, the community gathers and sings the child's song to them. Later, when the child enters education, the village gathers and chants the child's song. When the child passes through the initiation to adulthood, the people again come together and sing. At the time of marriage, the person again hears their song.

Finally, when the soul is about to pass from this world, the family and friends gather at the person's bed, just as they did at their birth, and they sing their song as a part of "being with" them at the very end.

In this African tribe, there is one other occasion when it is customary for the villagers to gather and sing a person's song to them. If at any time during their life, the person commits a crime or aberrant social act, the individual is called to the center of the village and the people in the community form a circle around yon. Then they sing their song.

The tribe recognizes that the best correction for problematic behavior is often not punishment; it is love and the remembrance of identity. When you recognize your own song being sung by your own community, whatever threat to your self that may have motivated angry, destructive, or chaotic action is diminished; your identity is reaffirmed and your self regains its cohesiveness; you remember who you are and why you do not wish to cause hurt to members of your own tribe.

A friend is someone who knows your song and sings it to you when you have forgotten it. Those who love you are not fooled by mistakes you have made or dark images you hold about yourself. They remember your beauty when you feel ugly; your wholeness when you are broken; your innocence when you feel guilty; and your purpose when you are confused.

When you feel good, what you are doing matches your song; when you feel awful, it doesn't. You may not have grown up in an African tribe that sings your song to you at crucial life transitions. Yet, even the strongest self requires recognition and validation to remain strong and cohesive. One of the reasons for knowing your song, is to have a community that can help you remember when you are in tune with yourself and when you are not.

In the end, you need to recognize your song and sing it as only you can. You may feel a little "warbly" at times, but so do we all. Remember that no human is an island: at times, everyone needs help to remember their song and to sing it well. Just keep singing until we catch the tune and can sing along. Don't worry! With a little help, you'll find your way home.

HOLD UP!

[insert ugly record scratch here]

Ok, the last thing I want is for you the reader to think I'm on some preachin' shit, and trynna be deep, and sending a message from the words written above. Hell naw, that's the last thing I wan't y'all to think. Instead, I'm just gonna drop some real ignorant shit like the stuff in the video below. Don't get it twisted, there's no message in the video, nor is there a connection between it and the words expressed above.

Roll clip...

QUESTION: IS OBAMA BLACK LIKE YOU?

Umm, I need you to do me a favor. Don't worry, I'm not gonna ask you for money or anything like that. What I am asking is real simple. I'd like you to read the following post. Its a post from a person in my blogroll in the blogosphere outside of this social network. I'd like you to read it and leave me a comment telling me how you feel about what he said. This is a blog written by another Black man who in my opinion (inspite of what I think of this blog entry) is pretty sharp.

In the last 6mths, I've come to know some pretty intelligent bloggers with different views. Some of them I can identify with, and some of them miss the mark from time to time. Lets be honest, we'll never always agree, and we're not supposed to. In my book, if we all agreed as bloggers we'd never learn anything from each other. Its just sad that some bloggers are sensitive, and take offense to the posting of opposing opinions on what they write. But as you know, I love a good debate. So having said that, read this following blog post and tell me what you think. All sections that are bold were done by me, and not the author. These are the just some of the things I take issue with....

AIN'T BLACK LIKE ME!

By: FreeMan Press

I waited and I told you I would wait before I commented on Barack Obama. I knew if I came out right after the election you wouldn’t be so open minded you would probably think I was shitting on him. So since we are about a month into the president elects pre-presidency maybe just maybe you can look at things differently. I still know some of you are celebrating another BLACK FIRST and as you get ready to go to the Inauguration so you can cry with your folk and say I was there, let me pull your ear to this…….

Barack ain’t Black Like Me! Barack is the son of a African Father and White Mother. He doesn’t share slavery with me, he doesn’t share civil rights with me, he doesn’t share his family migrating from the south with me, he doesn’t share the family structure like me, he doesn’t share the history of anger and frustration with me, he doesn’t even have the same blood from my ancestors in his veins. Just because he happens to have my color I guess I’m supposed to jump in the air like the masses have finally accepted my race. I know I’m pissing some of you off but keep reading! How many Blacks do you know who grew up in Kansas? How many blacks do you know who have been raised only by whites?

I look at Obama from my own experiences of people who are mixed race and don’t know where they fit in. Like usual Black Folks accept our own without conditions and in this case I believe Barack noticed that and felt comfortable. If you see Barack during his younger days you notice he had a Afro, played Bball and from reading his book seemed to feel he was of two worlds. I’m confident until he met other Black people everyone wondered what the hell his name meant, but most Blacks we know someone with a Arabic name or a African name so we probably let it go. He has white parents so I’m sure he cannot go as far as most Blacks go with the white people issue and really nor should he that’s really not his fight.

Barack is the son of a immigrant African and a White Woman from Kansas. He is truly African-American and not to be confused with the way our people like to confuse themselves with these dumb ass titles. We have to understand that just because someone has the same color as us doesn’t mean he truly understands us. If you ever look at most Fiji, Panamanian, and even Ghanian people they are within our Black color hue range. Now our brain lets us know these people might not share in our history but when this fact is brought up about Barack it’s seen as not worth talking about.

The only redeeming value I see in Barack is that his color didn’t let him blend in. I think his wanting to belong led him to the Black Church with Jeremiah Wright. First I’m sure he felt accepted and second I’m sure through his interactions he got the history that was never told to him his whole life. Then since he married Michelle he had to truly take on and understand her families point of view on the world. Also, since he has kids and those kids are considered to be African American. Finally, I believe Barack Obama chose to be associated with Blacks as this is the area he chose to work and we are the race he chose to marry into. I know you have met other people who don’t see themselves as Black and have done a lot to keep themseleves separate.

Solution: I bring all this up to say we as Blacks shouldn’t expect Barack to see the world the way we see, experience and live. Most of your life is shaped between the ages of 5-18 and if you look at Barack it has no similarity to mine or most African Americans who were brought here by slavery. He is pretty much adopted African-American and the most I believe we can hope for is that he has been on the bad side of racism but I wouldn’t be surprised if he doesn’t really get it because he doesn’t share our history. So on January 20th when all of you start crying and boo hooing and making a holiday out of the swearing in of someone who happens to look like me remember he ain’t Black Like Me!

Now before you guys start making a issue out of him being bi-racial that’s not what I am saying here at all. Most if not all Blacks from Slavery are mixed race too as it is in my family. So please don’t tell me Tiger Woods is the same because he is not his father was a Black Vietnam War Vet and you can tell Tiger has a true understanding from first hand knowledge. Also, just because you are raised by white parents doesn’t make you lesser of a Black person as I know people first hand whose white parents really tried to make sure their black kid knew they were black. This is really about someone who doesn’t even share not one blood of our history being idolized as if he is one of us.

===================================================================

Now, I think those of you who know me, can pretty much run it back to me what I think of this post. Am I right? Yup, you guys know that I do not agree with what this guy had to say on this. And you people probably already know that I have, and plan to continue holding Obama accountable as a politician. Because him and I share the same skin color, I do not plan on giving him a pass. I'm sure that if you've been reading my blogs you know that by now.

I'm also sure that you're aware of my passion for racial issues, topics or discussions. Having said that: am I wrong to challenge this man's opinion? Am I wrong (based on what he presented) to say that this guy is full of shit? If you click the link provided or embeded in the title of his blog, you can see my response. Matter of fact, you can see the intellectual asswhoopin I put on his ass. Damn I love me. But seriously, I wanted to post this to see what you guys think.

Personally, I'm not into the defending of Barack Obama business, but somehow I can't help but to check people on the ignorant shit they say about him, or the stuff they say on the discussion of race, and race relations. And just because you're Black doesn't make you an authority on the reality of race, racism, or race relations. Trust me, I've read some of the most ignorant stuff about race from Blacks as I have Whites. And me being me, I spare no moment or opportunity to attempt to set shit straight.

The author of this blog and myself have been going back and forth on this for a few days now. The funny thing about our exchange, is that he responded to me thinking I was a White man! He felt that by him being Black and me being White, that I was wrong or was unable to understand racism or the Black experience. I thought that was interesting. Maybe I'm wrong, but unlike him, and many other Blacks I've encountered, I do believe Whites understand racism. They may not experience it as a minority would, but they damn sure understand it or else they wouldn't dish it out. Am I wrong? For my own sanity, I'd like to know what you think. Matter of fact, if you don't mind, I'd appreciate it if you click the provided link and leave a comment or share your thoughts over there as you would here. Is Barack Obama a different type of Black person? How does an African American not share the same bloodline of anyone directly from the African continent?

link: AIN'T BLACK LIKE ME!

RELIGION, RACE & REALITY

Me being of direct Caribbean decent, I've been exposed to African cultural practices not seen by too many African Americans.

Oh yeah, I was born in ....

Trinidad & Tobago....

One of the things I saw as a child living there, was the religious practices of black people, and just how much it had nothing to do with the European concept of religion. I don't know, but this was back in the 70's, and even though there was a strong European influence or existence as far as religion is concerned (Catholicism was and is still big), there was still a very large African influence. This still permeates throughout the Caribbean to this day, unlike the way things are here in America. I wonder why is that? Why is it that as far as African religion, there has been a lasting effect in the Caribbean (and other places outside of America), than it has been here in this country?

If you ask anybody if they believed in voodoo, I think most of them would answer with a resounding no. Most of them have been taught that voodoo is just some bullshit mumbo jumbo. But most of the people who choose to believe voodoo, accepts it as something evil. Well voodoo, or Obeah, as its known in most of the Caribbean (or commonly in Trinidad & Tobago), is deep rooted in Africa, and NO, it is not an evil concept as its been perceived by many. Its a religion like any other religion, but the difference is that it has its roots in Africa. Have you ever wondered why, or how, its considered to be evil as opposed to Christianity? Why is it, that the African influenced religion is considered evil, but Christianity is considered good? Can any of you give me an answer on this?

Check this out....

And here is how it is in most of the caribbean....

And here is how it is in South America....

You might look at all of this as bullshit, or in a negative light. But have you ever given thought to why you look at it that way? You see, that's the thing about religion, everything that's practiced outside of the dominant culture is considered evil. And its no mistake who posses the dominant culture, right? Why is it that way? Why is it that the cultural religious practices of the indigenous people are always replaced, or at best infused with the religious practices and beliefs of the dominant culture? Why do some of you refuse to believe in the power of voodoo, ghosts and bullshit like that, but yet accept the bible, Christianity, and God as he's "marketed" thru Jesus as the way? If man can trace his origin to the continent of Africa, why are the religious practices of African people considered to be evil, and almost taboo? Why are the indigenous people of the world's cultural practices always replaced? Why are these people considered lost or "uncivilized" until Christianity comes ashore?

Answers...?

Anyone..........?

ARE YOU MY DADDY?

I found this pic over at Brown Man Thinking Hard and I found it, and his blog to be heart warming. When I look at the pic, I can't help but to get a sense of security. Sure I've never hugged Barack Obama, but if I did, I can't help but to think that I'd probably feel just like that little kid in the picture. But then again, me hugging another grown ass man and having warm fuzzy feelings might not be cool with Mrs. RiPPa.

Not just her, but society who is always lurking in the recesses of our minds says its not masculine for a man to hug another man in public, but it is to carry an unregistered gun into a nightclub. I don't know, but maybe its cool, to hug another man behind closed doors just as long as your pastor doesn't see it, but in public, its a no no. I can't help but to think that this stems from a lack of affectionate interaction some boys have with their fathers.

Somehow, I think we're conditioned to think that such displays of affection between two men isn't masculine because of it. Come to think of it, its probably why the whole "gimme five" thing was invented. Yup, and ironically the giving of "dap" is a Black thing, or invented by a Black man. Damn! No wonder. Black men have a way of being absent in the lives of their kids. Now I have to wonder who that man was, and wonder if he had a daddy.

Not only that, but I also have to wonder if this is the reason many of our women run around looking for men to hug them. I dunno, I'm just thinking out loud as usual. The last few days I've been shuffling the 14yr old to the library after school to do some school projects. I have to wonder if I wasn't around or she didn't have a man in her life to represent a father figure...would she grow up feeling the need to hug random dudes in succession all in an attempt to find love?

What do you think?