Please don't show it. Please don't tell!
Sitting and watching TJ Holmes present CNN's Black & White: Kids on Color, Tuesday morning,
I hoped that after the commercial break, I would not hear a discussion on blacks still being color struck.
But it happened anyway.
I guess it doesn't matter how wide a range of skin colors exist in American families.
The tester in the segment asked again and again: Which child is the pretty one, smart one, bad one, etc.
Most of the children chose darker skinned pictures as bad or ugly children and the lighter one as good or pretty. Only a few opted out of complexion stereotyping or as old folks say, being color struck.
The CNN series examines complexion-based internalized racism in school aged children from white and black races. The study mimics the 1939-1940 doll studies conducted
by two black psychologists.
First, the white children were asked questions about the cartoon pictures of asexual dolls, nearly hairless, arranged in a range of complexions from light to dark.
Most chose the lightest ones as a representation of good and the darkest ones of bad.
Then comes the African American children's responses. I held my breath. I tried not to watch. I didn't want to hear the truth.
"Why is this one pretty?" a tester asked after a child pointed to the lightest example as pretty.
"...because she is light-skinned," a pretty dark-skinned girl said.
"Bias towards white is still a part of our culture." A voice over said.
Don't fret Blacks because Whites have the same color struck conversations in their households. A
pinkish hue is still favored over ruddy or olive complexion--as long as there is still an ability to tan reasonably well.
But one needs only to look throughout their own friends and family to see these hurtful stereotypes repeated and reinforced.
It is a good thing that stunning beauty is held in the facial bone structure of an individual and not the skin color.
I wish someone would tell the kids the truth about beauty because skin color stereotypes are perpetuated through the generations, maintained in the home and reinforced in society. (Oh, good hair counts too.)
Read more: http://ping.fm/g7yZ4
Pay attention: The Earth is Changing and we are the last generation positioned to do anything about it. “As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.”
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Commentary on Roland Martin's blog
I have a lot to say today.
Who Defines Leadership in the Black Community?
There are not many who do what Roland does in Our Community.
Usually, the only thing I hear about The Black Community is how we quiet often end up in jail or arrested or beat up by cops or have some other type of issue
interfering with quality of life. Maybe it's because I live in a black
city with an African-American based infrastructure, that I don't
understand much of what I see in the main news stream on the issue of the
Black Community. Then again, it is not necessarily their responsibility to
report to me through their eyesight on My Community. However, I heard what
Roland was saying.
Many people feel that way. Working people.
Even white people expect a bone or two to be thrown towards the Black Community from the current administration. They do it in Their Community. If anyone else
should somehow benefit from it, fine because they don't care. It's cool
because the bulk goes to them.
Example: If you have graduated from college, think of the number of offers
from African American companies compared to non-African American
companies. Can we not find work in our own community? Do we always have to
leave our community and beg another community for work? All the time? It
is an anomaly when non-African Americans can graduate from college and
find work in an African American company. It happens but they are not
dependent on Our Community for work as we are to them. If it were the
other way around, I would probably get irritated after a while--especially
if jobs were scarce.
Further evidence is a report by Wilhelmina Leigh, Ph.D Senior Research
Associate for the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies--a think
tank.
Ms. Leigh testified before the Congressional Black Caucus on March 17,
2010 about reasons why certain people are chronically unemployed. She said
a part of the reason was that there is an education gap between the races,
persistent discrimination and a lack of access to "job acquisition
networks." Can the NAACP or the Urban League help with these issues? How
about some of the Black Leaders? I don't know if any of these quality-of-
life issues require presidential intervention. However, a grassroots approach to the problem might help.
People who don't have jobs usually don't date, marry or start families. If
45 percent of Black men who ARE NOT IN PRISON, are considered chronically
unemployed, how does one thinks this impacts the Black Community as a
whole? It degrades the community so that it is not so much a community
rather than a group of similar people with no cohesiveness whatsoever.
People are going half on a baby these days. Why? What if Black women who
are unmarried just stopped having babies all together? It too would have a
negative impact on the community.
But I digress.
People judge others through how they understand themselves to be, so when there is no visible authoritative connection between the President and Black Leaders it seems strange because other racial groups seem more cohesive.
However, there has never been a president of color in office in anyone's
lifetime. It is as if the rope on the other end of the tug-of-war was
suddenly released and there is a big "Now What" in the middle of things. (wink)
President Obama is a prototype of sorts. He is a lot of things and a
good representation of an American. Our cultures rub off on the other and
we are all a little blended. However, the Office of the President is a
part of a system. It is not a stand alone office. Black Leaders and the
President should be working together in that system, since the Civil
Rights Movement has placed a lot of Black Leaders in office and in many
instances, long term. But things unseen are things unknown.
Should we all be on one page as far as the state of the Black Community?
Do we listen when the President of the Urban League or National
Association for the Advancement of Colored People, speak? Do we read the
Black Press and what they have to say? Are members of the Black Press remembering their audience and saying relevant things? I distinctly
remember one of the President's campaign mantras of, "change comes from the bottom
up." That means me and others standing next to me should be taking this
time to affect change when and where we can.
Finally, can the President count on The Black Community to pitch in on his
re-election efforts? It's a lot of hard work everyday but it pays off.
Average People
Times have changed and so have Black people. The President only appears to
have lost connection with black leaders but he has not lost touch with the black community. Coming up, he got in where he fit in, just like all the
other Black People I know. He said so in his books. Did anyone read them?
I make this assessment based on actions and inactions of the President. (what he does and does not do)
Note: I live in a 85 percent Black city,
with a black mayor and where the Black Power Movement found it's footing and it's strength, so when I say, "Any Other Black Person I Know"--I know black generalizations. (in my peer group)
The President lived in Hyde Park, on the South Side of Chicago. He is familiar with Average People in the Black Community.
I am not from the suburbs nor the modern ghetto but from Average Avenue. I
attended Average Public School and Average State College. There is a big group of us Average Folks.
We are not ballers or wear grills or any other shiny jewelry in our faces
but we listen to the songs of those who do such things. Those who do
participate in the Glamorous Life, are not Average and are not in the
group. We have children and are for the most part, Average Parents. We are
Thirty and FortySomethings. And anyone who remembers that show is either
in The Group or actively avoiding the Group!
We are never found too far outside of Normal. We are not unlike conformists.
This blog post is a really an exciting and daring thing for me to be doing. Really.
However, when was the last time black leaders, whoever and wherever they may be, checked in with the black community on the same issues pressed upon the POTUS? I'm talking about kitchen table issues important to
Families and Individuals. I'm talking about Black Leaders paying attention
to their own community and all of our own business, outside of any talk show or mainstream newspaper column. There is a such thing as the Black Press. We used to get all of our news from the Black Church but I don't know too many people who have culled out the time to attend church every day. Things have changed.
Maybe the Black leaders are a little out of touch, then again who said all
Black People think the same? We all want different things out of our leaders. Until the Individual takes responsibility for his or her
community there will always be an "at issue" situation. That is a
description of change from the bottom up. No one agreement, train of thought or campaign will do for the entire black community--and
apparently, this is as close as we will get to a national conversation on
the issue--blogs and commentary.
What About the Black Agenda?
There is no Black Agenda that is promoted actively but there used to be
one. The idea is revived and batted around but no real press or marketing structure is involved. It has been rendered kitchen table discussion of
the past almost lore and in spite of conventions held in honor and
celebration of the Black Agenda, the Average Person has no idea of what
the Black Agenda is or who is involved in it and if they, are indeed
involved in it. Then, I ask, whose agenda is it?
Those who do know what the Black Agenda is, may want to avoid it and any
label of Black Nationalism. That's the thing about Average Folks. They
want to be Average and they have responsibilities and chores more so that
goals and dreams. They don't always pay attention to the news. Sometimes,
they are too tired to stay up for it or they are already at work. Maybe
they don't have cable or satellite.
Maybe they are not the voracious reader and settle for the local paper.
Sometimes, that is what Average People do: Go to work, read the paper,
listen to the radio in the car on the way to work as they sit in traffic.
After work, maybe they can snag a few minutes of their favorite show in
between household chores and children and spouse. That doesn't leave much
room for Agendas.
Average Folks have to make room for it and if no one bothers to explain
why they should sacrifice their valuable time to dedicate to moving
forward with the Agenda, then they won't do it. That is where Black
Leaders should step in. They can explain it to members of the Black Press
and they can in turn, write about it and write about it and write about
it. The Agenda does not have to be promoted in the mainstream as it is not
a message pertinent to everyone but to Blacks, thus, The Black Agenda.
If Average Folks hear or sense the attitude that no one should have to
explain the Agenda to them, then the attention of a very large and
influential group of people have been lost. What a loss.
It would be nice if interested people with MBAs and degrees in Marketing
and Advertising could help the Black Leaders advance the Agenda.
Out of Work but Not Out of Hope: Addressing the Crisis of the Chronically Unemployed
Roland Martin's Blog
Who Defines Leadership in the Black Community?
There are not many who do what Roland does in Our Community.
Usually, the only thing I hear about The Black Community is how we quiet often end up in jail or arrested or beat up by cops or have some other type of issue
interfering with quality of life. Maybe it's because I live in a black
city with an African-American based infrastructure, that I don't
understand much of what I see in the main news stream on the issue of the
Black Community. Then again, it is not necessarily their responsibility to
report to me through their eyesight on My Community. However, I heard what
Roland was saying.
Many people feel that way. Working people.
Even white people expect a bone or two to be thrown towards the Black Community from the current administration. They do it in Their Community. If anyone else
should somehow benefit from it, fine because they don't care. It's cool
because the bulk goes to them.
Example: If you have graduated from college, think of the number of offers
from African American companies compared to non-African American
companies. Can we not find work in our own community? Do we always have to
leave our community and beg another community for work? All the time? It
is an anomaly when non-African Americans can graduate from college and
find work in an African American company. It happens but they are not
dependent on Our Community for work as we are to them. If it were the
other way around, I would probably get irritated after a while--especially
if jobs were scarce.
Further evidence is a report by Wilhelmina Leigh, Ph.D Senior Research
Associate for the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies--a think
tank.
Ms. Leigh testified before the Congressional Black Caucus on March 17,
2010 about reasons why certain people are chronically unemployed. She said
a part of the reason was that there is an education gap between the races,
persistent discrimination and a lack of access to "job acquisition
networks." Can the NAACP or the Urban League help with these issues? How
about some of the Black Leaders? I don't know if any of these quality-of-
life issues require presidential intervention. However, a grassroots approach to the problem might help.
People who don't have jobs usually don't date, marry or start families. If
45 percent of Black men who ARE NOT IN PRISON, are considered chronically
unemployed, how does one thinks this impacts the Black Community as a
whole? It degrades the community so that it is not so much a community
rather than a group of similar people with no cohesiveness whatsoever.
People are going half on a baby these days. Why? What if Black women who
are unmarried just stopped having babies all together? It too would have a
negative impact on the community.
But I digress.
People judge others through how they understand themselves to be, so when there is no visible authoritative connection between the President and Black Leaders it seems strange because other racial groups seem more cohesive.
However, there has never been a president of color in office in anyone's
lifetime. It is as if the rope on the other end of the tug-of-war was
suddenly released and there is a big "Now What" in the middle of things. (wink)
President Obama is a prototype of sorts. He is a lot of things and a
good representation of an American. Our cultures rub off on the other and
we are all a little blended. However, the Office of the President is a
part of a system. It is not a stand alone office. Black Leaders and the
President should be working together in that system, since the Civil
Rights Movement has placed a lot of Black Leaders in office and in many
instances, long term. But things unseen are things unknown.
Should we all be on one page as far as the state of the Black Community?
Do we listen when the President of the Urban League or National
Association for the Advancement of Colored People, speak? Do we read the
Black Press and what they have to say? Are members of the Black Press remembering their audience and saying relevant things? I distinctly
remember one of the President's campaign mantras of, "change comes from the bottom
up." That means me and others standing next to me should be taking this
time to affect change when and where we can.
Finally, can the President count on The Black Community to pitch in on his
re-election efforts? It's a lot of hard work everyday but it pays off.
Average People
Times have changed and so have Black people. The President only appears to
have lost connection with black leaders but he has not lost touch with the black community. Coming up, he got in where he fit in, just like all the
other Black People I know. He said so in his books. Did anyone read them?
I make this assessment based on actions and inactions of the President. (what he does and does not do)
Note: I live in a 85 percent Black city,
with a black mayor and where the Black Power Movement found it's footing and it's strength, so when I say, "Any Other Black Person I Know"--I know black generalizations. (in my peer group)
The President lived in Hyde Park, on the South Side of Chicago. He is familiar with Average People in the Black Community.
I am not from the suburbs nor the modern ghetto but from Average Avenue. I
attended Average Public School and Average State College. There is a big group of us Average Folks.
We are not ballers or wear grills or any other shiny jewelry in our faces
but we listen to the songs of those who do such things. Those who do
participate in the Glamorous Life, are not Average and are not in the
group. We have children and are for the most part, Average Parents. We are
Thirty and FortySomethings. And anyone who remembers that show is either
in The Group or actively avoiding the Group!
We are never found too far outside of Normal. We are not unlike conformists.
This blog post is a really an exciting and daring thing for me to be doing. Really.
However, when was the last time black leaders, whoever and wherever they may be, checked in with the black community on the same issues pressed upon the POTUS? I'm talking about kitchen table issues important to
Families and Individuals. I'm talking about Black Leaders paying attention
to their own community and all of our own business, outside of any talk show or mainstream newspaper column. There is a such thing as the Black Press. We used to get all of our news from the Black Church but I don't know too many people who have culled out the time to attend church every day. Things have changed.
Maybe the Black leaders are a little out of touch, then again who said all
Black People think the same? We all want different things out of our leaders. Until the Individual takes responsibility for his or her
community there will always be an "at issue" situation. That is a
description of change from the bottom up. No one agreement, train of thought or campaign will do for the entire black community--and
apparently, this is as close as we will get to a national conversation on
the issue--blogs and commentary.
What About the Black Agenda?
There is no Black Agenda that is promoted actively but there used to be
one. The idea is revived and batted around but no real press or marketing structure is involved. It has been rendered kitchen table discussion of
the past almost lore and in spite of conventions held in honor and
celebration of the Black Agenda, the Average Person has no idea of what
the Black Agenda is or who is involved in it and if they, are indeed
involved in it. Then, I ask, whose agenda is it?
Those who do know what the Black Agenda is, may want to avoid it and any
label of Black Nationalism. That's the thing about Average Folks. They
want to be Average and they have responsibilities and chores more so that
goals and dreams. They don't always pay attention to the news. Sometimes,
they are too tired to stay up for it or they are already at work. Maybe
they don't have cable or satellite.
Maybe they are not the voracious reader and settle for the local paper.
Sometimes, that is what Average People do: Go to work, read the paper,
listen to the radio in the car on the way to work as they sit in traffic.
After work, maybe they can snag a few minutes of their favorite show in
between household chores and children and spouse. That doesn't leave much
room for Agendas.
Average Folks have to make room for it and if no one bothers to explain
why they should sacrifice their valuable time to dedicate to moving
forward with the Agenda, then they won't do it. That is where Black
Leaders should step in. They can explain it to members of the Black Press
and they can in turn, write about it and write about it and write about
it. The Agenda does not have to be promoted in the mainstream as it is not
a message pertinent to everyone but to Blacks, thus, The Black Agenda.
If Average Folks hear or sense the attitude that no one should have to
explain the Agenda to them, then the attention of a very large and
influential group of people have been lost. What a loss.
It would be nice if interested people with MBAs and degrees in Marketing
and Advertising could help the Black Leaders advance the Agenda.
Out of Work but Not Out of Hope: Addressing the Crisis of the Chronically Unemployed
Roland Martin's Blog
Thursday, May 13, 2010
What About the Kids, Arizona Legislators?
Arizona was the last state to sign the Martin Luther King Day bill into law. I took note of that then and I take note with parts of their anti-ethnic education bill.
Why is it that the people of Arizona feel the way they do about minorities? What are they going through every day that makes them not accepting of minorities and why can't they handle their frustrations any better than they have been doing?
Granted, if a politician runs for office and is elected by the people for the people he or she should serve the people completely. More qualified people should have run for office if the people wanted a smarter legislature. However, why stop the African American education curriculum in public schools? Really.
Every ethnic race, Eastern European, African, Hispanic, Dominican, Italian etc. deserves to be highlighted for their race's achievements in American history. The culmination is that we have all contributed in making this country great, so why cull those parts out? It is not a good solution to the problems in Arizona. Students in Arizona won't know or understand who they are or where they come from when they are not taught about European immigrants and what they did to establish their place in American history and culture. Damn shame. There are a lot of European immigrants in this country.
Read more: http://ping.fm/zLtKu
http://ping.fm/ouq0W
Why is it that the people of Arizona feel the way they do about minorities? What are they going through every day that makes them not accepting of minorities and why can't they handle their frustrations any better than they have been doing?
Granted, if a politician runs for office and is elected by the people for the people he or she should serve the people completely. More qualified people should have run for office if the people wanted a smarter legislature. However, why stop the African American education curriculum in public schools? Really.
Every ethnic race, Eastern European, African, Hispanic, Dominican, Italian etc. deserves to be highlighted for their race's achievements in American history. The culmination is that we have all contributed in making this country great, so why cull those parts out? It is not a good solution to the problems in Arizona. Students in Arizona won't know or understand who they are or where they come from when they are not taught about European immigrants and what they did to establish their place in American history and culture. Damn shame. There are a lot of European immigrants in this country.
Read more: http://ping.fm/zLtKu
http://ping.fm/ouq0W
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
I Watched "Deliver Me" Last Night...
I watched it on Discovery Health. I love that channel. It showed high risk births and the tribulations the moms-to-be had to go through to deliver. One woman had to be on bed rest for 50 days in the hospital. She had an incompetent cervix. The doctors had to put a stitch in it to keep it shut so the baby wouldn't come out early. Gosh, those women were strong. Even one of the OBGYN's had a high-risk pregnancy and was ordered to bed rest. She cried but went home but then didn't exactly comply with the bed rest order. Her colleagues got on her about that! Good show.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Housewives of New York, New Jersey and Basketball Wives: I Am So Late to the Party!
I am so late to the party with these fabulous shows. Now I see that Bethany of HONY will have her own spin off show about her getting married. However, I watched both shows on Bravo last night and I could not stop watching! Granted, I had seen the HONY but last night was my first time watching Housewives of New Jersey and I just don't know how Danielle puts herself through all of that. It is clear that certain women cannot be involved with her but she is still open to to them, fueling the gossip about her. Danielle's daughter is gorgeous but she should listen to her about who to let into her life. Some folks are like oil and water and just don't mix–no matter what.
Now, I know all of the shows I am watching are probably last season old but like I said, I am so late to the party.
I saw Basketball Wives on BET last weekend and I didn't even know a woman can be a size negative! I am not familiar with all of the names but the tiny girl who is cute went shopping with the tall one who wants separate wings for her and her spouse(?) and the transformation was magnificent. All of the women featured on these shows offer a glimpse into their fabulous lives and how they handle adversity. I also watch Tiny & Toya on BET. I like that show because the women are doing things like opening businesses and helping their family achieve goals. Tiny & Toya also offer that glimpse behind otherwise closed doors. I really am anxious to see how the nail shop develops the story line. Really great television watching.
BlipFM Song of the Day: http://ping.fm/zYKGE
Now, I know all of the shows I am watching are probably last season old but like I said, I am so late to the party.
I saw Basketball Wives on BET last weekend and I didn't even know a woman can be a size negative! I am not familiar with all of the names but the tiny girl who is cute went shopping with the tall one who wants separate wings for her and her spouse(?) and the transformation was magnificent. All of the women featured on these shows offer a glimpse into their fabulous lives and how they handle adversity. I also watch Tiny & Toya on BET. I like that show because the women are doing things like opening businesses and helping their family achieve goals. Tiny & Toya also offer that glimpse behind otherwise closed doors. I really am anxious to see how the nail shop develops the story line. Really great television watching.
BlipFM Song of the Day: http://ping.fm/zYKGE
Monday, May 10, 2010
Horders: Buried Alive
Well, I watched Horders on TLC last night and again, I do not understand how the Horders also have filth involved. Some of the Horders are rather neat and orderly in their effort to collect and save items for their personal enjoyment. (yes, I have hording tendencies) And, then some have dead cats, dirty, stained carpets, spoiled food in plates everywhere. To me, that is not hording but nastiness. There is a distinct difference between throwing a half-eaten plate of food on the floor–fork and all–and saving decorative plates to display later.
Another thing I noticed is that most of the Horders have money to burn on unnecessary items.
I understand the hording mind, I do.
Granted, when I first saw the show Horders, I saw a lot of myself in the ones who like to save things thinking it will be useful later or hate to throw things away only to find its use later and not have it. However, I cleaned up my act straightaway! I didn't even know hording existed. I called it "saving things."
http://ping.fm/t08V3
Another thing I noticed is that most of the Horders have money to burn on unnecessary items.
I understand the hording mind, I do.
Granted, when I first saw the show Horders, I saw a lot of myself in the ones who like to save things thinking it will be useful later or hate to throw things away only to find its use later and not have it. However, I cleaned up my act straightaway! I didn't even know hording existed. I called it "saving things."
http://ping.fm/t08V3
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
My Personal Get Fit Initiative
Well the daily walks continue and they are getting easier for my daughter. It is especially nice when the weather is nice. Walking backward and sideways is more helpful to me and also keeping moving even when my daughter stops. I can tell that my mood has improved too. It's amazing what a little walk can do.
My goal is to continue my walking with my daughter and increase my own. My ultimate goal is to run distance. It looks so cool when everyone else does it.
My goal is to continue my walking with my daughter and increase my own. My ultimate goal is to run distance. It looks so cool when everyone else does it.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Get Moving America
Well, we've taken the plunge.
All of us in the house walked around the block for exercise. My son is on the cross country track team at school so he went for the fun more than the exercise. My daughter and I went for health. We decided to take a page from First Lady Michelle Obama's plan for a healthier America. She promotes getting teens in shape to prevent or combat teen obesity so I modified it to include myself. Here is the video:
All of us in the house walked around the block for exercise. My son is on the cross country track team at school so he went for the fun more than the exercise. My daughter and I went for health. We decided to take a page from First Lady Michelle Obama's plan for a healthier America. She promotes getting teens in shape to prevent or combat teen obesity so I modified it to include myself. Here is the video:
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)