My Dave Chappelle Experience

Dave Chappelle was practically vilified when he abruptly departed from his hit show and gave up millions of dollars.  When Dave asked "why did you give all this up?" his response was "I had to get in touch with my inner coon."  Some may not quite understand what Dave meant, personally I somewhat understood but it wasn't until today at an all day team meeting that it really sunk in what Dave may have felt. 

During our meeting there was a period of dedication to the team's VP who is moving on to another role within the company. To celebrate this new endeavor the team performed a parody based on the sitcom song from the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.  Lyrics were changed to suit the occasion and two of the team members performed. The team member who performed the rap was white and as he got up to perform, he did the whole "Yo, Yo Son! thing, walked with a supposed swagger and wore a
baseball cap tilted to the side.  His sidekick who was a sistah, was adorned in her Bonquiqui attire, big earrings, baseball cap and good lord an Adidas sweat suit top. As the fake Fresh Prince began rapping and his sidekick went on to do all the former hip hop dances the crowd roared in an uncontrollable laughter. 

For some reason my reaction was not to laugh, I did not see anything funny about this performance. As a matter of fact I found the performance offensive; at first I didn't understand why I was offended; was it because I didn't like the rap (it was whack) or could it be I felt a migraine coming on?  But as I looked on the laughter I saw were of people laughing at the way black people act not at his performance.  I saw a crowd who genuinely found a musical genre founded by my people and its actions as comical.  The worst part is, the few black people in the room cracked up too.  I don't know if I'm being hypersensitive, but for the life of me I couldn't see or feel it any other way.

In my mind if it feels a certain way then it is that way, no doubts! There was no disputing my perception and how uncomfortable it felt.  The feeling was reminiscent of watching an old movie in which a white character makes fun of Old Joe, the negro butler as he belts out one of the negro spirituals and all his white friends laugh and say "Oh Thomas you're such a hoot!" For the rest of the day I couldn't shake this experience, I was sour, very anti-social and couldn't wait for this meeting to conclude.  Once the day ended I got in my car and didn't regret the sour disposition I had displayed.  In my mind there was no need to pretend like I enjoyed the day.  I took the stance in recognizing I'm an adult with over 25 years experience in Corporate America and if I don't like something I be dammed if I act like I do.

For professional reasons I couldn't express myself, but I think my silence spoke volumes.  While I can't and like many others necessarily verbalized our feelings it is equally important that our actions display our disagreement.  While the parody act really messed up my day, I was proud that my reaction was authentic which for me helps gets through the hidden inner challenges we face as Blacktinas in Corporate America.

Peace out,
Blacktina

This is how I Don't Want To Remember Trayvon

Florida police officer uses image of Trayvon Martin for target practice! You don't believe me, read on!

The Guardian

Peace Out,
Blacktina

Jayonce and Obama - C'mon Son, Get the F*&k Outta Here!

OK I may go to jail for this article as its geared to my distaste of the Jayonce (Jay-Z and Beyonce) machine.  It seems these days if you say anything negative about them you're damm near anti-American.

Like many others I have bounced to their music, own CDs; as a matter of fact Get Me Bodied and Give it to me are probably some of my favorite songs - mind you this was pre-Obama.  What brings me to such discontent is Jay-Z's newest song "Open Letter" in which he boast about their trip to Cuba and goes on to mention "I might buy a kilo for Chief Keef Out of spite, I just might flood these streets, "at the end of this verses he states Obama said "chill, you gonna get me impeached" But you don't need this shit anyway.  Chill with me on the beach."  Lastly towards the end of the song he speaks of getting mad and "catching a body."

First of all Jay-Z you're 40 something, haven't you grown up?? Why are you still rapping about kilos and catching bodies.  Do you want us to believe you're still slinging drugs coupled with murderous acts.  Are you? If not may I suggest you grow up, read a book on philosophy or something and rap about something more legitimate to your world. You left Marcy projects a long time ago I sincerely doubt you and the Mrs. are renting a Section 8 apartment and chilling with the peeps.

Now for your Mr. President and your star struck ass! Out of all the people in the world you want to chill with you choose Jay-Z, really?!?! I can only imagine how intriguing a conversation must be between a Harvard graduate and a former drug dealer - are we feeling a little Dickens'ish? A little Prince and the Pauper thing going on?  I get the fact that the Jayonce machine held a very lucrative fund raiser for your re-election and you are probably eternally grateful; however, have you too lost your f@*king mind?!?!!? You are the President of the United States, the most powerful man in the world and here you are acting like the nerd who wants to hang out with the cool kids.  But haven't you heard; nerds done good, they rule this bitch and have sustainability.  Curious, do you want your daughters marryng a man like the Marcy project Jay-Z? Probably not, hell Jay-Z doesn't want his own daughter marrying that Jay-Z. 

In the end none of us can control who the President chooses to fratenize with. Though when it came to Reverend Wright he quickly ended that relationship, perhaps he should do the same with the Carters.  Personally I hope he gets some backlash for this; Fox speak up, this would be a legitimate one for you!  But I'll say this I did not vote for this type of man, the Barack Obama I voted for had a keen interest and aspirations for the betterment of all US citizens.  The 2nd term Obama is all about I'm cool as shit hanging with Jigga! Mr. President my advice to you is get it together do the job we voted you in for, mic down!

Peace Out,
Blacktina