When Are African-Americans Going to Stop Complaining and Start Kicking A** ?

So the New York Post put out a cartoon that many think was a poor analogy at satire about the stimulus bill for what was likely a depiction of the President as a dead chimp. Due to the lingering racial animus and sheer discomfort to discuss and resolve the history of brutality and exploitation it took to build this country, I suspect many will react negatively and retreat to their corners. So let's say for the sake of argument it was offensive and therefore racist, but to what degree? Have people forgotten that we live in a country where racism thrives or have they bought into this fallacy of a post-racial America? There is no such thing and to deny the evil that manifests itself through systematic entrenchments is just crazy. 

Yes, I know every individual isn't like that, but you had best believe plenty of people who may not be actively engaging in it don't refuse the benefits derived from it! What is an appropriate response? To react solely on emotions or to seek a path of recourse? Also I don't think the President really cares as he's been called worse I'm certain. He's always cool as a cucumber. Besides, he's the freakin' President and the leader of free world. He has certain support systems in place, a family that adores him and lots of security and weapons at his disposal. Not that people shouldn't feel outraged if they think the situation warrants it, but they aren't planning long-term strategies and are too reactionary, not proactive.

Everybody decided to jump on the bandwagon as per their usual misguided efforts at displaying their outrage. By everybody I'm referring to the Civil Rights Industrial Complex motley crew: NAACP releases a statement (yawn); the new kids on the block Color of Change sent out a email initiative and 75K responded; and everybody's favorite Rev., Al Sharpton led a motley band of protesters (rolling my eyes). 

See I used to get riled up about these things too until it dawned on me that NOTHING EVER GETS DONE AND NOTHING EVER CHANGES. Plus there are far more dangers to the image of Black people being put out into the world by other Blacks. One primate versus the derogatory image of men as drooling idiots throwing money in the air/bragging about sex and violence with half-naked women gyrating to a beat - which one is worse? Which one garners the largest audience and has a lingering negative image?

I think author Jill Nelson summed it best in her article, No More Marches, which appeared in the April 2008 issue of Essence magazine:

Forty-three years later, in another millennium, we're still using the same technique, and to far less effect. These days, marches are carefully orchestrated spectacles for the purpose of allowing passionate people to come together and let off steam rather than massive, potentially uncontrollable manifestations of people's demand for justice and equality...But now marches are now so predictable and scripted they've lost the ability to impact politicians and policy, to force transformation.

Bah hooey the head idiot in charge, Editor in Chief gave some lame non-apology. Big whoop. The New York Post has a history of publishing incendiary and racist stories/cartoons/etc. Go down the list of all the "news" media and you will find a lot of dirty hands in that cookie jar. Go through the staff and you will find it to be a sanctuary for old white men with a few white women thrown in the mix and a few crumbs for a chosen non-whites, but make no mistake the people calling the shots are the same old-same old. 

Look at the ones writing the checks. Rupert Murdoch owns: NY Post, Wall Street Journal, Fox, MySpace amongst other holdings and has a net worth of at least $8B. Do you think he cares about a few letters and some people screaming on the corner? He's just going to cut a check and keep it moving. Are you going to stop patronizing his businesses? If you're going to engage in a battle with someone you should get a lay of the land and size up your opponent first to devise the best strategy before taking action. This isn't the '60s and those tactics don't work! 

Now if all of those protesting had decided to pool their time and resources for a long-term counter-attack and initiative that would be different. How about pushing for the FCC to grow a pair and get back to keeping these media outlets in line? How about paying attention to those applying for licenses like Bob Johnson trying to weasel his way into getting another network right under our noses? How about demanding Hollywood start hiring Black actresses again and not buying movie tickets until they do? How about accepting the fact that a man with Murdoch's stature has spent decades building alliances in all sectors of society and government in this country, the UK and his birth country Australia? 

How about working on the systematic racism in the hiring practices that have excluded independent thinkers who are unbiased in their coverage and yes, non-white, in positions of authority? Call on Eric Holder and tell him to put the muscle of the Justice Department behind his words. Call on the President and demand that he does. Well, these aren't glamorous moves and they take a long time. 30-40 years ago a certain pressure was applied and shame did wonders - as well as seeing people being hosed and murdered. 

The failure of Civil Rights was that equality wasn't demanded and the voices and contributions of Black women were shuttered so the men could progress (at our expense). Moving to formerly all-white enclaves, having unfettered access to white women, making some money or gaining notoriety seemed good enough for most of them. Yes, I'm mentioning this because it's time we do a reboot on the abridged version of events and tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Feeling good breeds complacency. We need to take action.

There were no long-terms plans for sustaining these gains which is why things have so quickly deteriorated in the past 10-20 years. I've noticed for example as the Black television anchors in my local news market have retired they are not replaced with another Black anchor or even another non-white of any gender but by white men and women. As I previously discussed in my post here there are no Blacks behind the anchor desks (and little if any in the offices of upper management) covering national evening news. 

When the vacant post for Meet the Press needed to be filled it was the white male running NBC who gave the slot to another white male - and not even someone who was remotely qualified. It's almost incestuous and it's definitely exclusionary and insulting. Where were the protests about that? Where is the strategizing for alternative sources of news? Why are Black people waiting for other people to act right? Start a network! Pool resources. Get busy. 

My Thoughts on the Eric Holder Race Speech and Rebuttals

Our new Attorney General Eric Holder gave a speech Wednesday on race relations in the US. He spoke about people selectively segregating themselves. I thought it was a great thing for the top prosecutor of the country to speak so plainly. I also expect him to enact the policies that compliment what he said, otherwise he's just whistling Dixie out his butt. These things needed to be said though. I found one important aspect that seems to have gotten lost in shuffle: he called for Blacks to be more open to expanding their social networks as well. A lot of Blacks are very reluctant to leave the confines of their immediate neighborhoods and mingle with other people of different classes and races. 

I grew up in a very segregated area that admittedly was designed that way for exclusionary purposes, but I always made an effort to seek out a variety friends. It was awkward and I didn't quite understand what compelled me to do so. No one in my family was actively encouraging me to do so either. I just knew ultimately it would be good for me. Growing up I had always been encouraged to do well in school and I loved to read. 

I had a core group of classmates that I sometimes socialized with after school. We all had similar goals of no babies out of wedlock and college. They were in fact in a higher income bracket than my family. So when I came into contact with some other students in high school who didn't have the same background I had to "deal" with them. They only hung out with other Blacks from the lower classes and were defiantly anti-intellectual. After being called "white girl" one too many times I confronted one female with a pop quiz in Black history: 10 easy questions I think every Black American should know. She couldn't answer one question and that forever silenced her and her crew as to who was "Blacker". 

I told her if she didn't even know her heritage she could not define "Blackness". I have never wanted to be white by the way I just wanted to be myself. That included listening to the Cure and buying my clothes at a thrift shop. So what Eric Holder mentioned is of great importance to those that isolate themselves and miss out. This is especially true for Black women who refuse to widen their dating pool and seek out marriageable quality men of all ethnicities. Black people especially need to get out of all-Black settings because they all too often lead to an extremely warped view of what it means to be Black. 

Also because we need to learn how to navigate our lives in many scenarios as well as be equipped to work around racism when we can. The ally or mentor we need to progress career and life-wise may NOT be another Black person. Go chew on that! So I was really surprised by Dr. Melissa Harris Lacewell's Op-Ed piece blasting AG Holder. She says:

"But ultimately, Eric Holder's discussion of race in America was a failure. It failed because Holder spoke more like a grade school principal than like the attorney general of the United States. He framed our nation's continuing racial work as a struggle to feel comfortable, be tolerant, and have "frank conversations about racial matters."

I appreciate the sentiment, but I would prefer Holder use the Department of Justice to sue those who illegally discriminate against racial minorities rather than holding encounter sessions in the lunchroom. 

Eric Holder has something more. He has the law. I don't want my attorney general to scold me about having conversations; I want him to tell me the lawsuits he plans to file against those who continue to practice educational, employment, and housing discrimination."

I understand she wants systematic racism acknowledged and addressed and I completely agree. I also think this is the same argument that fuels the Civil Rights Industrial Complex and promotes too much of a victim mentality amongst the masses. It's why the focus is still on white cops who shoot Black men who may or may not have criminal backgrounds. It's why the NAACP only takes up the cause of a Black man that's been harmed by a white person. Black women are rarely part of this call to arms to protect and support. Black on Black crime and the murder rates are completely ignored. The protectionist attitude of "saving the oppressed Black male" is seen as the only perspective. 

It fuels the Obama as Messiah perspective. It's not realistic, not happening and it encourages people "to wait" on the benevolence of others. It promotes being passive instead of active participants. Laws can be changed to be favorable one decade and punitive the next. I think enough of our ancestors have paid the ultimate price. It's time for a new strategy. 

Also this doesn't address the internal motivations of many who will not step into their power and pick up the mantle of leadership. There's a bit of a destructive element going on in the Black community where people are turning on each other - except when it's to decry "racism". The focus cannot be solely on that. We are stronger than that. We can do better now. It's a choice we can make. 

Old School Friday

This week's meme is The Jacksons. Oh...so many great songs to choose from!!!! 

I am so channeling Xanadu when I watch this video.

Primates & Politics In A Post-Racial America

So by now unless you've been living under a rock (or parceling out your daily corporate media brainwashing) you've heard about the cartoon that compares our President to a dead chimp. Ooh somebody's gonna get audited soon! Like for the last 10 years at least. People are outraged I tell ya....but you know what....I bet #44 is just brushing it off his shoulders. He's got more important things to think about, like trying to don a cape to save an ungrateful Amerikkka.

Also our new Attorney General got gully and said people were cowards for not being honest about their racial animus. Now let's see what policies the Just-us Department enacts under his tenure to compare if his words and actions are in sync. Already he's said more than Obama would about race and in a direct but firm delivery. Is he the "bad" cop to Obama's "good" cop facade? 

There's a part of me that thinks thusly: all of the politicians (and private citizens) who'd rather see their districts, their states go down in flames rather than be helped by that Black man they didn't vote for should get their wish. Reject the funding. May your flight off the side of the cliff be swift and take as many of your friends with you as possible. 

Filmmaker Alexandria Pelosi has another documentary "Right America Feeling Wronged" which chronicles the "pain" of those whites that didn't want Obama for President (but who couldn't offer any legit policy objections) and they were shedding bitter tears. Some people may be offended by the more incendiary sentiments expressed but I just laughed. Now they get to have a taste of what it's like for the rest of us. Here's one of the funnier clips though just so you get a taste of the underlying racism that presents itself through the anti-intellectualism of its host:

Last night's Anderson Cooper segment between Roland Martin and Ron Christie discussing the validity of AG Holder's statement on race was indicative of a) Republican obstructionism and obfuscation b) the idiocy of some people c) the lack of honesty about the attitudes in this country d) why getting emotional undermines getting work done. There is something quite unsettling about watching a real-life Uncle Remus in the flesh though.

Take a chill pill Roland, the guy is an eloquent idiot and you know that's why CNN put him on. It's the stealth racist tactics you have to look out for. Christie is being paid to be a professional contrarian and enjoys his role - which is why he can deliver his argument without emotion. Were Amy Holmes or Tara Wall not available? Did anyone else blanch when he used the term proud Black man? 

Here's the kicker though: he probably knows more about Black heritage than the average Black person. This is the danger of touting post-racial politics. He has no alliances to the Black community. You know he was made fun of as kid. I can picture him grinning to his benefactors and see the groove worn at the top of head from its most often patted section like the good little lapdog he's been. He simply has no self-respect but like your average rap artist who touts drug-dealing and rims, he knows what stereotypes to promote to make a buck. Don't hate the player, hate the game. 

I would love to see more Black people offering a thorough critique of the President without partisan punditry. This is why we need more balanced coverage and the Fairness Doctrine back and enforceable. We get it in the blogosphere but not on television. 

Update: Al Sharpton led a protest against the New York Post earlier. True to his race huckster for dollars he has to focus on the trivial instead of changing the infrastructure. It's not sexy or incendiary enough though. I had to ignore an obvious troll at a Black political blog who insisted these Civil Rights organizations and (blowhard) representatives offered equal assistance to both Black men and women when dealing with infringements from white supremacist people/orgs. I asked for specific examples of campaigns that were offering support to Black women who've been harmed/oppressed/insulted and they couldn't provide ONE instance. Which was my point. I think I should add a subtitle to this post: "only applicable to men".

Tyra Banks Show On the Obama Effect: Will Black Men Get It Together Now? pt 3

Man Who Claims That He's Doing His "Best" For His Child

His best may not be what's in the best interest of that child but I guess that's open for debate. He's being rather vague about his activities and placing limitations on himself as if to say, "don't expect much from me". To be fair, there are a lot of fathers who are doing their best and due to unresolved issues between parents, the kids get stuck in the middle. Somehow though I suspect this particular man is someone who was not at his best to begin with so there's only so much room for growth. This is why it's very important for a woman to know how to choose the very best man possible if you are going to procreate. There's no guarantees, but like vegetables and fruit damage is recognizable if you know how to look for it. Unlike fruit you can't cut around it to make it palatable. 

That goes both ways but is far too likely to swing far to one side than the other. I'd also ignore those statistics being touted as "fact" because they don't reflect the reality for the majority of the African-American population. There's a 70% out of wedlock birth rate and Black women are the least likely group to be married in this country. Black women also outnumber Black men and factoring in (illness, incarceration and other unsuitability if similar standards are applied that other women in the country use across the board) the pool of available AND quality Black men drops down to under 5%. If this is an example of a "typical" Black male who is going to be "transformed" because of an external factor: the Obama effect - then Black women are going to be extremely dissatisfied. I'd go as far as to say doomed, but that may sound too harsh. As the segment opened we were already informed the woman who mated with this man is greatly dissatisfied. Let this be a cautionary tale. I'd like the Tyra Show to continue this discussion and of course get perspectives from Black women and how they've been affected.

Tyra Banks Show On the Obama Effect: Will Black Men Get It Together Now? pt 2

Actor That Portrays Hood Roles Wants to Live A Hood Life: Doesn't Want to Go to College

Well what can I add I think the caption says it all. Why are there always Black women coddling and worrying about these men instead of focusing on their lives and caring for themselves. If the situation was reversed who would be there for them?! Or are they supposed to be "strong" enough that they don't need any help and support? I have no comment on the psuedo-intelligentsia former hood-monger scholar. It's a class issue on display. If I can recognize it I'm certain others can too. Education is necessary but that's not the end of "learning".

 

Man Who Complains About Shaving Beard to Appeal to Employers

So I thought I wasn't hearing this fool properly. I guess I could take the producers to task for finding all of these losers and allowing them to be the subject of ridicule on national tv, but I can't muster up that much sympathy. This man doesn't have a job and wants to claim racism over his facial hair. Now they did try to balance that with a man who had a legitimate grievance with his employer over his hairstyle but puh-leeze! This is just ridiculous for a grown man to be so irresponsible. If you don't have a job and you need to spruce up your appearance why would you complain about it? Just fix it!! This is why I had to make sure I recorded this episode because unless you've seen it nobody would believe my commentary.

 

Tyra Banks Show On the Obama Effect: Will Black Men Get It Together Now?

Ha! Ha! That wasn't the title of yesterday's episode but it's a valid question to ask. Of course if you personally have it together this doesn't apply to you. So no accusatory comments mmm-okay? The subtitle of this episode should be: Black Women Don't Wait Around For Black Men Still Trying To Figure Things Out: Do You!

You know I watch Ty-Ty's show from time to time because when she starts to veer too far on the edge of idiocy I feel it's my responsible as a Black woman to reign it - by complaining LOUDLY. This show looked to cover an interesting position, but I  already know it would get a FAIL for not delving into anything too deeply. Still even a surface discussion can lead to further reflection. Hopefully one day she'll realize the audience has the capability to handle it - though I'm not sure if she is. 

So this episode discusses what impact the election of Barack Obama, a Black man, will have and whether it will positively influence other Black men. It also asks about the relationship between Black men and women. Finesse Mitchell and Michael Dyson are guests. I skipped the first segment because they were discussing whether it was appropriate for Black men to wear sagging pants. I have two words: Prison Attire. If you have to ask then you are already too far gone. Disclaimer: If Warner Brothers asks me to remove material I will do so upon request and no copyright infringement is intended.

Woman Giving Up On Black Men

Well this guest describes the poor behavior of the men she's dated as the reason for not wanting to date any Black men, but the panel and host point out that her choices have something to do with her dating success or failure. It sounds to me like she a) hasn't set proper boundaries b) doesn't know how to evaluate men c) is not exercising her options. I would have loved for someone to have asked her if she was open to dating men who weren't exclusively Black. Of course if she can't choose a quality male then she could just swap one loser for another, but I suspect she's dating men she should not be giving the time of day to. The kicker is the producers who decided to trot out her white friend to tell her to "give Black men a chance". Trifling!

Black Man Who Says He Doesn't Like to Date Black Women - Ever!

Well this segment's a little rough ladies, so brace yourself! This total loser doesn't like Black women. This has been an ongoing discussion on Black women interracial dating sites and empowerment sites. Even Aunt Jemima's Revenge reluctantly asked last week if Black men really do hate Black women. Looking at the actions of some men that would be a YES, but not ALL do. I refer to this guest as a loser because....he is. How ridiculous that his female relative is sitting up there on stage pleading with him to give Black women a chance. Please don't!! 

Spare some poor woman a lot of heartache and self-doubt about her worth because she's focused on someone who will not value her under any circumstances. See the previous segment above again if you need to connect the dots. That woman wouldn't be considered the average Black woman because she has a straighter hair texture that blows in the wind. If she isn't being valued then the odds of a woman considered less attractive due to her (darker) skin tone and (less fine) hair texture doesn't stand a chance. Anyway, I bet this fool is living off a Black female relative though (not paying rent, borrowing money, whining about how he's a victim of racism) while he's trashing bw every chance he gets. White women please take him and don't send him back.

.....more video tba when I can get it to load properly