In the spirit of black history month, I have a little story to share. The other day I was thoroughly annoyed by a series of text messages that essentially attacked my being "an intelligent black female who is passionate about music" and not getting upset by John Mayer's recent outburst (see article HERE). Now I'm not quite sure in that elongated title I was given if I was supposed to more upset that John Mayer referred to his penis as a "white supremacist" and that it didn't like black women or that he got a "Nigga pass". Either way, "intelligent black female" that I was, I was supposed to be enraged.
But to his dismay, I was not. I was, however, very nonchalant. What I couldn't get him to understand is that this to me, wasn't prejudice or racism. This was a "rock star", someone in the public eye admittedly playing with the attention we were giving him. It was SHOCK value. It was also someone I knew to famous for playing the guitar because he was obsessed with Buddy Guy and wanted to play JUST like him. Buddy Guy is a black man and one of John Mayer's idols. So no, I wasn't upset. It was a spectacle that didn't affect me.
But today, I was upset.
In an invitation sent around my Alma Mater, UCSD, in either jest or true genuine spirit, a certain fraternity decided that THIS was how they should celebrate black history month:
Description
February marks a very important month in American society. No, i'm not referring to Valentines day or Presidents day. I'm talking about Black History month. As a time to celebrate and in hopes of showing respect, the Regents community cordially invites you to its very first Compton Cookout.
For guys: I expect all males to be rockin Jersey's, stuntin' up in ya White T (XXXL smallest size acceptable), anything FUBU, Ecko, Rockawear, High/low top Jordans or Dunks, Chains, Jorts, stunner shades, 59 50 hats, Tats, etc.
For girls: For those of you who are unfamiliar with ghetto chicks-Ghetto chicks usually have gold teeth, start fights and drama, and wear cheap clothes - they consider Baby Phat to be high class and expensive couture. They also have short, nappy hair, and usually wear cheap weave, usually in bad colors, such as purple or bright red.
They look and act similar to Shenaynay, and speak very loudly, while rolling their neck, and waving their finger in your face. Ghetto chicks have a very limited vocabulary, and attempt to make up for it, by forming new words, such as "constipulated", or simply cursing persistently, or using other types of vulgarities, and making noises, such as "hmmg!", or smacking their lips, and making other angry noises,grunts, and faces.
The objective is for all you lovely ladies to look, act, and essentially take on these "respectable" qualities throughout the day.
Several of the regents condos will be teaming up to house this monstrosity, so travel house to house and experience the various elements of life in the ghetto.
We will be serving 40's, Kegs of Natty, dat Purple Drank- which consists of sugar, water, and the color purple , chicken, koolaid, and of course Watermelon. So come one and come all, make ya self before we break ya self, keep strapped, get yo shine on, and join us for a day party to be remembered- or not.
Um....WTF?
Seriously we serve only 2% at that campus and this is how Regents is allowing students to disrespect and represent us? What kind of modern day coonery/black faced mockery/hose us down why don't ya/might as well just throw the lynch ropes up while you're at it/ insult is this?!
Happy Black History Month to you too Tritons!
**UPDATE**
NBC San Diego picked up the story. The comments are ridiculous. Check it out HERE
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Pick your battles, know the difference...
Posted by M. at 9:16 PM
Labels: A Classic Head Case, Community Action, For Dialogue's Sake
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A lil inside mi noggin..
- M.
- Brooklyn, NY, United States
- I'm blunt...and rather observant...DUH that means I should blog! I suffer from, no let me rephrase, I combat living with an AVM on a daily basis. An AVM is an Abnormal Veinous Malformation which affects about 250,000 people in the US (http://www.cumc.columbia.edu/dept/cerebro/AVM.htm#Link8). It affects everyone differently, for me it's caused a constant headache since 2003...litterally. I've been in countless doctors offices, been poked and proded, been through the emotions of being misdiagnosed with a brain tumor. Needless to say, I've been through a lot and not just because of my...let's call it an ailment. Above all I've developed a less than common outlook on life and perception of things.Don't for one minute misconstrue, I'm in no way a victim, I'm self-sufficient almost to a fault and encourage others to turn their weaknesses into empowerment. It builds character and makes for one hell of a screenplay ha! That combined with growing up immersed in a semi-charmed world, and the glitz and glamour of Hollyweird leads to some interesting anecdotes...Here are my thoughts...
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