On the internet, it seems like everyone’s goal is to get to the bag- which is a great thing! We can’t eat, pay bills, or live without getting a bag. Money is a necessity, and I’ve come to the conclusion that enough of it is never really enough. You’ll always want more so that you can do more. Continue reading “The bag!”
When you meet someone at the gym, grocery store, mall, or social gatherings, all you have to go on is what they look like. He or she may be attractive to you so you exchange numbers. Usually ladies give their numbers out to see how interested the guy is in her. If he calls, great! If he doesn’t, oh well! Normal, right? Continue reading “Damn she thick!”
A few years back I wrote an article about Rachel Dolezal and her claim to fame by identifying as a Black Woman. I don’t think I was harsh in the article but as always I told my truth. I had been debating watching the Netflix documentary on Rachel and her family. I must say I’m glad I decided to watch. There is no excuse for portraying something that you are not. Especially when it comes to something, so sensitive such as race and ethnicity. Let me state this Rachel could only pass as Black in America due to her privilege. Privilege has allowed her to live the American dream as far as being who you want to be, and doing what you want to do. However, she did assist in bringing awareness to the people of Spokane, WA about the active racism there. Rachel has to understand that you can be White in America and fully support the Black movement and bring awareness to racism, systematic racism, and injustices of the world. Continue reading “Things you didnt know about Rachel Dolezal”
Sometimes I distract myself from reading or watching videos of hate crimes against African American people. I do it because it can be overwhelming. The feeling you get in your stomach or the slight anxiety that you feel are symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). You got the same feeling when you saw Omarosa backing Donald Trump, didn’t you? You couldn’t believe your eyes and ears. I got the same feeling when I heard Kanye West show complete disregard and disrespect to his people on television with his comments. Not to mention his twitter feed. For the record Donald Glover accomplished what Kanye thought he was accomplishing in Glover’s video “This is America.”
For those of you that tried to act like you were on some higher level of understanding because you thought you knew what Kanye meant... Nice try but still an epic fail!
One who is a genius does not proclaim he is in a genius.
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I’m exasperated with the fact that I am forced to write about another unarmed Black person being gunned down by the police. What’s most disturbing to me is that so many people still don’t understand why we are upset. We continue to protest in an attempt to get national attention and recognition, yet the protests end with no resolution and little to no change with police brutality against Black people. America just continues on with business as usual. That’s exactly what America is: A business.
Continue reading “B.A.M.N.”
A LITTLE INFO ABOUT BRUNO
I’m guessing that Bruno Mars’ multiple awards wins last month is what ignited the flame of the culture vulture (appropriation of Black culture) conversation. So, let’s talk about it. Bruno’s ethnicity is Puerto Rican. A couple of months ago he had an interview where he seemed to be livid because he was being accused of denying and/or hiding his roots. In the interview, Bruno stated “My Daddy is a Puerto Rican pimp!” He also went into grave details about growing up listening to the greats in “Black music,” and that all music can be traced back to Africa.
LET ME TAKE YOU TO SCHOOL
What is culture? Culture is the behaviors, beliefs and characteristics of a particular social, ethnic, or age group. Cultural appropriation is KIM KARDASIAN! (Just kidding, but not really). Cultural appropriation (cultural misappropriation) is the adoption STEALING the elements of a minority culture by members of the dominant culture.” Now, let me give you a little history on Puerto Rico. Free Africans (Moors) came over to Puerto Rico with the Spaniards (Colonizers). When the Spaniards began to colonize Puerto Rico, they wanted more free labor so they began to participate in the Atlantic slave trade. Therefore Taínos (the indigenous people of Puert Rico) were combined with the African slaves.
INTERNET SURFING
I ran across a video of a popular YouTuber named Seren Sensi Aishitemasu. She is a well spoken Pro Black intellectual. But, I must admit I was disgusted to hear her comments about Bruno Mars. To say that Bruno plays up the fact that he’s racially ambiguous in an effort to continue to appropriate Black culture/music is (1) Insensitive and (2) It’s not true! To be mad at Bruno Mars for selling records based on the way he looks is the same thing as disliking Black people because they were born Black.
If Bruno grew up listening to “Black music,” doesn’t that make it part of his culture? Seren also said he uses his racial ambiguity to jump from different music genres, such as Rock & Roll, Pop, R&B, and Hip Hop! NEWSFLASH! ALL genres of music are Black genres of music!
One thing that I do agree with from Seren is that “White people prefer Black music from non Black artist.” That’s true, but it’s always been that way! We know the colonizers love everything we have as long as we aren’t the ones providing the good (s). It sounds like the anger and outrage should be directed towards the consumer, and not towards Bruno.
I SAID WHAT I SAID
It seems like people aren’t recognizing that the Fat Joe’s and J. Lo’s of the industry grew up in the same neighborhood as the Slick Rick’s and Remy Ma’s. We have similar plights and connected history! You can’t appropriate a culture that you’re already a part of, and you certainly shouldn’t punish a person for their genetics. There are tons of celebrities that appropriate Black culture, but Bruno just isn’t one of them.
I can’t even begin to tell you how disgusted I am with some of the things that my people say about each other that makes no sense. Apparently it makes sense to them, but in all actuality they are usually extremely problematic or they are the views and opinions taken on by our oppressors. I’ve been carping about this very topic for at least the last 2 weeks. Every time I get ready to sit-down and create this blog, I see another statement made that’s extremely problematic. For example: A woman with a Black son was upset that some young teenage boys through something wet at her car while she was driving. She literally stated “I bet they have the type of parents that scream about police brutality and argue with teachers about what type of child they have.” I guess it’s okay for police to beat and or kill the teenage boys since they did something stupid that teenagers often do, right? PROBLEMATIC!
Below are 11 of the top problematic statements that Black people make about Black people.
1. “If Black Lives Mattered we wouldn’t have Black on Black crime!”
NEWS FLASH!! Black on Black crime is a term of propaganda created by the media in the 60’s! The fact of the matter is people of all ethnicities kill people that look like them! That is a FACT! Black Lives matter was created because when Black people are killed by the police or whomever is feeling trigger happy that is not Black gets a pass for killing a Black person. The killing is somehow justified and justice is never served. This has been going on for centuries! Also, if you think Black people like the crime or take crime lightly that happens within our own communities it’s obvious that you have never been to a stop the violence rally or protest! Which, means you are not active or really paying attention to what’s happening in your community!
BOTTOMLINE: STOP SAYING THAT STUPID SHIT!
2. If the NFL players aren’t protesting why should I?
You should be protesting because you should have the common sense to realize that the NFL is making a powerful statement about how they feel about Black people as a whole. If you didn’t know what that powerful statement was let me tell you. The NFL’s statement was “we don’t care about your hard times in America due to you being a Black man. Just make our money BOY!” Not standing or kneeling is not disrespecting the flag, the country, or those who have served in the armed forces. They are just using those things to prevent you from speaking about the real issue which is the historically poor, unfair, unjust, inhumane, treatment of Black people in this country! THAT’S THE REASON PLAYERS ARE KNEELING OR SITTING DURING THE NATIONAL ANTHEM!
BOTTOMLINE: THINK! Maybe you could figure somethings out and stop letting a sport you don’t get paid to watch or play run your life!
3. “I want a mixed baby.”
Do I even have to explain this? You wanting a “mixed” baby is just stating you don’t like the features of Black babies. You don’t like yourself and how you look. You think that having a close Caucasian gene makes your baby better or special! It doesn’t If you want a mixed baby get a Poodle mixed with a Yorkshire, because animals are mixed not people!
BOTTOMLINE: You’re IGNORANT! LOVE YOURSELF IDIOT!
4. I can’t stand being around Black people.
You are Black and your statement is ignorant. What makes you think any other ethnicity wants to be around you?
BOTTOMLINE: SHUTUP and get some class!
5. Speaking negatively about a movement that Black people have started to create awareness about social injustice.
Either you are going to support the movement or not! No one needs your criticism when a larger motive or goal is the objective! You being negative in an attempt to disassociate yourself isn’t necessary. You could just be quiet.
BOTTOMLINE: SUPPORT THE CAUSE OR SHUTUP!
6. Stop telling Black people where they went wrong after being beaten and/or handcuffed for no reason by the police.
If you haven’t realized that it doesn’t matter what you do or say if an officer decides to kick your A$$ that’s exactly what’s going to happen. It doesn’t matter what you’re wearing or what you say!
BOTTOMLINE: HELP STOP THE ACCEPTANCE OF POLICE BRUTALITY!
7. “She’s pretty to be dark-skin.”
Are you serious? She’s pretty period! Complexion doesn’t matter.
BOTTOMLINE: GET OFF THE PLANTATION FO MASSA COME BACK!
8. “She got good hair.”
There is no such thing as GOOD HAIR! There are different types of textures of hair. For example kinky, wavy, curly, straight, thick, and or soft.
BOTTOMLINE: LOVE THE HAIR THAT YOU HAVE. I DON’T KNOW A SINGLE WOMAN THAT LIKES HER HAIR, NO MATTER THE TEXTURE!
9. “Nah he’s not Black Black he’s from Trindad.”
Slaves were dropped off in the Caribbean, Jamaica, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Barbados, Dominican Republic, Haiti,Buenos Aires, Ecuador, Cuba, and Puerto Rico! There are more places but this was just to name a few. The slaves in North America were the leftover slaves!
BOTTOMLINE: We have the same African Ancestry! We have been separated by land and culture, which CREATES THE ILLUSION THAT WE ARE DIFFERENT PEOPLE BUT WE ARE NOT!
10. Any time a black celebrity (ie R. Kelly and Bill Cosby) get caught in their bullshit, you all say it’s just because they’re black,
They are disgusting humans getting caught up in their devilsih ways! Just because you like what they represent doesn’t mean that’s who they are! Then you compare them to White celebrities that have been accused of the same thing! NEWS FLASH THEY AREN’T WHITE!
BOTTOMLINE: Stop blaming the victim and focus on the pattern of the CRIMINAL! If they are so innocent leave your daughters and nieces with them.
11. Stating since there are problems within the Black community we have no reason or right to complain about how other groups of people treat us.
This is the most disappointing statement I’ve seen! No other group of people have the history that we have as far as coming to this country, and being separated by complexion! Everyone deserves to be treated with respect and dignity regardless of what the next person has done!
BOTTOMLINE: If you want to shuck and jive and be disrespectful to impress or fit in with another Ethnic group, go by yourself! The rest of us aren’t going with you! BE THE CHANGE THAT YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD!
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Many people are saying that no one should be upset or mad that Rachel Dolezal is claiming to be Black. The supported reasons that I’ve seen posted are: “Black people wear weaves!” “Some black people do skin lighting treatments… or wear light makeup to alter their appearance.” (Black skin and make-up selection history is a whole new discussion). Continue reading “It’s not ok for Rachel Dolezal to play Black!”
“We are not Americans, we are Africans who happen to be in America. We were kidnapped and brought here against our will from Africa” MALCOLM X Continue reading “Self-Hatred”
People perceive messages, looks, and behaviors of others and internalize them. They interpret what they think it means. For example: A friend of mine asked me if she should wear this particular dress without stockings or leggings. I politely informed her that she should wear stockings or a longer dress. Maybe both.
My thought process was I didnt want people making rude comments about her size, silhouette, and the way the dress looked on her period. An observer’s (another friend of ours) perception of the same situation was that I was being mean. Why is honesty perceived as being mean instead of just being honest? Are we in that much denial as a society that we want people to lie to us even though we asked for the truth?! Unfortunately, that’s not something I’m willing to do!
Continue reading “Perception… Is it reality?!”
