We all have different beliefs, that's fine. We are all free to believe what we want. However, I draw the line at open attacks. This is an attack. Question:
If Christians are accused of "forcing" their beliefs on you when they say "I don't agree with (insert controversial topic)", what then is this billboard?
If the answer given is "free speech" then please accept the title of "Hypocrite".
There is some thing I MUST say. I am sick and tired of hearing black men speak against black women (this is not a pass for black women to speak against black men either-both are WRONG!)
I've heard on numerous occasions, even from people close to me, negative remarks about black women: "That attitude. She's always angry, for what? Why is nothing ever good enough? Can't she just support me in whatever I do? See that's why I want me a white/hispanic/asian woman, they KNOW how to treat a man! Nah, black women want/expect too much."
At the risk of sounding like the expectations of the ignorant I will continue. All women are beautiful, strong and hold promises of great nations within them. All women have attitudes and get angry, we all are expectant, we are women. So whether it is hidden and expressed differently makes no real difference because it is there.
What needs to be understood my black brethren is that although we are no longer in the times of 1607 (somehow it feels like we are) the sting is STILL there. You can listen to the video below and do some research to understand more.
Mind conditioning has brought us to a place of hating ourselves, though not always outright. Who would have thought that silken blonde hair weaves would be a popular thing on the continent of Africa? Bleaching skin all over the world with the excuse of 'smoothing out complexion' and 'removing blemishes'- this is a trend. Some how this has all become common place, much like the black woman bashing we hear today. Watching the video (linked below) brought up some thoughts.
A black woman's smile, is NOT contingent on her man or a man alone (as you may see referenced in similar videos like TJSotomayor's). This is not the image I got from the video of Ty Gray El's piece, I saw it as raceless in regard to the man. I do agree, however, that our smiles hinge on the completeness we as black women feel and own within ourselves. Our smiles, are often buried deep within the infrastructure of "maintaining" when odds are stacked against us. It is popular to say but is also very true that black women have more stacked against them on two levels: 1. She is a woman and 2. She is a black woman. For far too long this has been seen as a burden on us and that saddens me.
Our infamous attitudes, common to ALL WOMEN, are one of three things at any given time depending on the person: 1. Misunderstood 2. Warranted or 3. Unnecessary. While, many will choose to only agree with number three the other two must be taken into consideration.
The Unnecessary attitude is the one that happens because it is a habit, she's used to seeing it and giving it. She's been taught that this is the way you have to be in order to get things done. What bothers me is that on any other woman this is considered "spunk" "moxy" or just being "feisty" and its treated with admiration.
The Warranted attitude is one that is the fitting response to being legitimately wronged or annoyed. Period.
The Misunderstood attitude is the one that concerns me most and whose definition has yet to be accepted. This is not an excuse of any kind. This attitude is the attitude of the mother who knows her children can do better in school and punishes them when they bring home a grade less than their abilities. This woman has heard you speak, craft tricky ways to get out of doing things, found creative legal ways to make extra cash, tally up $$ and how long it would take to have enough for those sneakers or game you wanted. She is pissed that you have decided to waste your brain power, the same brain power that powered and built nations for centuries. She has a right to want more for you; so, to stand by and watch you have no aspirations but to just get by and take the quick and easy way out gives her an ATTITUDE!
So yes, I will have an attitude and NOT smile when I see you my "brother" wasting your life. The street corners of NY have some of the very best entrepreneurs in the world who have yet to understand their own abilities and potentials if they'd only go legit! The amount of unstoppable youth our world would have if its black women would learn to love themselves outside of what the world has told them is "true beauty"- we were born with true beauty stitched into our genes- would be astounding! A woman who values her self, regardless of outside opinion rears children who do the same. So, change your look for excitement NOT for the feeling of necessity and fitting into the portrayed beauty mold. I'll say it, conformity to a lie is UGLY!
A white, hispanic or asian woman will not solve the problem you have sir. The problem you have is that you've fallen victim to laziness, you've stopped trying but still expect a pat on the back and kudos for doing what you YOU KNOW YOU SHOULD. We, as your black women should push you toward excellence as we strive for it ourselves. When we both understand the roles we play in eachother's existence that is when the Black Woman Will Smile and the Black Man Will Rise.
A Black Woman's Smile <-- Check out this video, I am sure you've seen it before.
There is so much more I would love to say on this but I want to hear from you.
By now you know, and for some of you have already began to experience, our government's "partial" shutdown. It is partial because the only part shut down is the Federal Government. It is quite awkward to say 'partial' and 'only' in the same sentence when referring to the Federal Government. Why? Because the Federal Government is integral in our day-to-day living and governance. You may be wondering what the point is and why we, the United States of America, have shut down- AGAIN. In 2013, this should not be the state of our economy nor government but it is. All sources lead to the GOP. As early as 2009 talks, gatherings and exclusive meetings were had, rallying support for the 2010 elections for The House seats. The promise was that if Republicans won the majority they would shut the government down like they did in 1995, another promise that was kept.
(See the following link for video from Rachel Maddow: video.msnbc.msn.com/rachel-maddow/53151808/#53151808 )
I see a pattern here, the question is: Why? As an American, I cannot fathom how this is a good thing. What is the point? Is it to prove that government is intrusive and not a help to anyone or is it to promote capitalism? Careful review of our Nation's present state of affairs, it is the latter. It is my belief that capitalism works best when a nation is healthy; America as of now is diseased. With disturbing sentiments like this by political blogger, Erick Erickson:
"I'm almost giddy thinking about a government shutdown next year. I cannot wait!"
And again by Representative John Culberson of Texas as he and his colleagues shouted for a vote:
"I said, like 9/11, 'Let's roll!'"
It is scary to think of who has been elected to steer this country. Somehow I believe that the "American People", so often mentioned, have been left out and the only concern is business and revenue. The Affordable Care Act, nicknamed by opponents as "Obamacare", is the scapegoat. Despite being the scapegoat it really is not the major issue. The major issue is capitalism that benefits a select bunch not the Nation as a whole. This was the issue in 1994 and it remains the issue today.
What Congress needs to understand is that America is not made up of select business geniuses but also the people who are the hands and feet that keep these businesses thriving, making us the Land of Dreams. This selfish act from Congress stalemating the United States of America right now has tentacle reach! There are families that do not make enough to survive and depend on WIC for the additional nutritional assistance- this service is in danger because it is fully funded by the Federal Government. Also in jeopardy are adult protective services, temporary assistance for families and the child care development fund. The NIH has been affected as well, having had NIH certification myself, I understand what this means for universities and hospitals. It is a wary pause in progress. Hospitals across the country have to turn away therapy dogs, sometimes the only aid rehabilitating a person. No new patients seeking last resort experimental treatments will be accepted. Lives are in jeopardy across the country. Let us not forget the hundreds of thousands of people being furloughed from work- bills, rent, mortgage payments- everything is at stake.
Adding insult to injury is the irony concerning Veterans. Veterans, the people who fought and sacrificed much for this great country, are at risk of having their compensation, pension and education benefits cut. Furthermore, according to www.Whitehouse.gov, a one-week shutdown could cost the United States $10 billion.
If you ask me this shutdown is taking us backward. So Congress, the people of America DEMAND that you get it together and remember that a House divided against itself WILL FALL.
Nina Davuluri, an Asian-American, is an American!
From the time she uttered those words to remark that she and her fellow pageant mate are "Asian-Americans" Twitter, Facebook and a slew of other social media has been set ablaze with ignorance.
In actuality, Nina Davuluri embodies what America truly is- a combination of many cultures living under one oath, the Pledge of Allegiance. We are not a melting pot anymore, we are a mixed salad! Cultures come and adapt to living conditions but never lose sight of who they are and that's excellent.
So if you have a problem with that I suggest you cook at home and NEVER go out for take out- No Italian, Chinese, Thai, West Indian/Caribbean, NONE OF IT! The only thing that I've heard was an all American dish was 'The Apple Pie' and even that isn't. It's European! Apples did not exist here until they were brought over and trees were planted. http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/2369851 (Oh and that blurb about offending the devoutly "religious" - I'm not religious I'm a Christian so I know God created nature and creature before mankind. Confused you? Ask me about it sometime.)
In addition to cooking your own meals, you should also learn to make your own clothes, rear your own children, maintain your households on your own, do your own yard work, stop traveling, and use ABSOLUTELY NOTHING imported. Sounds absurd? Well so do the the thousands of people who share the opinion that if you aren't white you're not right or in this case "American". By the way, America was named after an Italian explorer named Amerigo Vespucci. http://www.loc.gov/wiseguide/aug03/america.html
I've said it before and I'll say it again, the ONLY people who have a right to say ANYTHING regarding anyone's origins in THIS COUNTRY are the NATIVES (I won't call them Native American because for them this land was NOT America). Truth is, if every family in this country did a DNA family search they'd ALL have hyphens added to their "American". We all hail from SOMEWHERE and are now blessed to call this land our home.
(Above: Miss California, Crystal Lee, excellently executing her ballet routine)
(Above: Miss New York before becoming Miss America, Nina Davuluri, wowing the crowd with her beautiful Bollywood inspired dance routine- I LOVED IT!)
If you're angry, too bad. If you're happy about it, great! Vent on this post, I want to read what you have to say. Comment.
