Trayvon Martin is Alive!

Unless you’ve been under a rock for the past 2 years, we all know Trayvon Martin died at the hands of an overzealous racist.  Although Trayvon is physically gone, he does still live on in each and every black child. Here's an example of how and why. 

Yesterday afternoon my teenage daughter had a mini pool party at our community pool.  We live in a subdivision and pay nearly $300 a year in HOA fees. I refer to this party as mini, since there were only around 15 teenagers in attendance, no music, no sneaking in alcohol and no profanity. Usually there is only one attendant at the pool; however on this day there was anywhere from 3-5 attendants.  These attendants didn’t arrive until they started seeing a number of teenagers.  I thought to myself, there is nothing unusual about teenagers.  But, on this occasion there was a difference.  These teenagers were mostly black.  As soon as the numbers started to increase so did white flight out the pool and the increase of white pool attendants arrived.  

These attendants had their eyes on my daughter and her friends, who stood on their side of the pool and only conversed amongst each other.  Any sudden movement by the party members caused the attendants to react and walk over to them multiple times.  In one instance while playing with water balloons, one attendant rushed up and told a girl to stop. The girl agreed and said she’ll throw them away.  Instead, the attendant insisted, by accosting the girl by pulling her arm, snatching the balloons, which ultimately broke in her hands.  At this point I had enough and so did the few African American adults in attendance.  In unison some approached the pool attendants, while others approached the kids and recited the infamous speech of  “stay calm, and don’t react with hostility”.  In speaking with the pool attendants, I asked following:

1) What’s up with the 5 attendants when there’s usually only 1? 

2) And are my daughter and her friends being racially profiled? 

Immediately the response was “Oh No, we’re just here to make sure everyone has a good time.” My reaction was we usually can, but today we’re being watched like something out of Persons of Interest. I went on to say, “I see a group of kids trying to have a good time, but for some reason YOU see a MOB.”  Furthermore, this lady who apparently may have some “Klan” gear in her closet had no right accosting this young lady, who was clearly cooperative.  If the young lady would of defended herself, Klan Queen over here would of claimed Stand Your Ground and we all know that can result in murder.   

I know a pool party may seem trivial compared to the death of Trayvon Martin, but so was his death over a perception (i.e. hoodie and skittles). As a mother of a black daughter I always thought she was safe, unlike our young black men.  Yesterday taught me she isn’t safe; and a lesson to all, if we feel we’re being discriminated, speak up, say it.  As a people we need to be color brave to those who are color blind.  Take a look at Mellody Hobson's Ted Talk and her experience of being discriminated based on pure perception. 

While this incident was disturbing, I found myself feeling justified about how I confronted the issue.  There was no yelling or cursing, just pure honest conversation about my perception of their reactions.  In all honesty, this conversation was liberating to all those involved.  Facing fears and uncovering untruths allows us to open the doors of compromise and conversation.  For the remainder of the party my daughter and her friends were left un-bothered; furthermore I received an apology from the HOA regarding this incident.   Don't get me wrong folks, this isn't a total cumbaya moment, but it's start!

Peace Out
Blacktina

We Shall Overcome; have we?

Back in 1979 my 5th grade class belted out the song We Shall Overcome during the school's annual Black History assembly.*  We sang this song in honor of the civil rights struggle that preceded my generation 10 years earlier.  Fast forward 34 years later,  I woke up thinking have we overcome? The year is now 2013 and a 17 year old boy is senselessly murdered because an assailant's prejudices said this boy has to be criminal, for no other reason but the color of his skin.  It had nothing to do with the hoodie, white kids wear hoodies all the time; it had to do with this boy being black and nothing more! While we all know the story very well, what are we going to do about it? Are we going to sing another song? Are we going to hold vigils? or Are we going to finally stand the f*ck up and say that's it AmeriKKKa, I'm done being your whipping race for all races; don't get it twisted the white race is not your only opponent.  Look at George's mother and uncle, trust and believe they too would have thought that Moreno Trayvon was up to no good!

To the critics who think Black America is being hypersensitive again, let me just give you a timeline of what's happened in my generation that I can vividly recall.

1982  - Willie Turks - A subway car maintenance worker beaten by a white mob in Brooklyn.
1984 - Eleanor Bumpers - 66 year old woman shot and killed by police ordering her from an eviction.
1986 - Michael Griffith - Killed after being hit by car while running from a group of whites in Howard Beach.
1989 - Central Park 5 - Five innocent Black and Puerto Rican kids convicted of gang rapping a white woman.  These kids ranged from the ages of 13-17 and had nothing to do with the rape.  Yet they were crucified the minute they were illegally apprehended.
1991 - Rodney King - Savagely beaten by four police officers, who were later acquitted on criminal charges.
1997 - Abner Louima - Sodomized by a NYC police officer after being arrested outside a Brooklyn nightclub. 
1998 - James Byrd - Head and arm severed as he was dragged behind a pickup truck by 3 white supremacist.
1999 - Amadou Diallo - New Guinea immigrant shot 41 times by police.
2006 - Sean Bell - Killed after he and his friends were shot 50 times by New York city police officers, all were acquitted.
2012 - Trayvon Martin - 17 year old gunned down by neighborhood watch who thought Travyon looked suspicious.
1988 - 2012 - Various black teens gunned down based on Stand Your Ground Law.

Again this timeline is what I can vividly recall, I haven't include the countless other racially victimized cases, nor the plethora of black woman incarcerated for 20 years plus for drugs they didn't even have.  In my lifetime if I can recall 10 incidents and there are plenty more, clearly there's a problem.

For those who are chanting "Let it be" and asking us to respect the judicial process, I have to respond are you f*cking kidding? Where were these chants when OJ was acquitted? Sometimes I think we're getting paid back for OJ, but wait a minute, you did get him! He's in prison for 15 years for "stealing" his own shit.  George Zimmerman KILLS Trayvon Martin and nada, nope, nothing and you ask Black America why are you being sensitive?

I am tired, I am hurt, I feel deflated and have no confidence in this nation and our people.  Yes you heard me right our people.  I don't want to hear another press conference, I want action.  I want to see the new Medgar Evers, the new Martin's, the new Malcolm's, the new Thurgood Marshall's, the new Nelson Mandela's.  As a people we have become complacent and have striven off the backs of our past leaders. When they died the struggle should not have died with them.  Just because the President and First Lady is Black does not mean we've made it, just because the top golfer, basketball player or lead media guru Oprah Winfrey are black doesn't mean WE made it.  It means THEY made it.  But as a people we are still unjustly treated in all spectrums.  Why are we constantly the whipping race? Is it because we let ourselves get whipped? Think about it, what other race has endured our atrocities and refuse compensation.  Answer is NONE.  The Jews will milk anything related to the sacred Holocaust.  The Japanese Americans another group who will seek compensation.  Native Americans, need I say more.  But black people we just get happy to get a job and then wonder why people treat us like shit.  We're treated like shit because we don't demand being respected.  We don't seek a justified apology for being robbed our culture, family, religion, language, etc.  No, we take it lying down and sing a song, or have a march.  NAACP where are you? One of those A's stands for Advancement, instead of paying homage to black celebrities,  what are you doing about our inner city children, education, reducing the prison population, business empowerment, etc.  If you're doing something, we can't see it, nor has it been working.  You too need to step up your game!

Lastly, for my fellow Latinos, Puerto Ricans in particular I noticed many of you (not all) have been silent throughout this ordeal.  Just because Zimmerman is part Hispanic does not make his actions right.  If you're on his side just because Trayvon in your mind is a moreno, then you too you should be ashamed of yourself.  Let me share with you a little secret, you're also Black! Read your history; Puerto Rico was comprised of Indian and African slaves and Spaniard slave masters.  The Indians who couldn't handle the labor died off quickly, leaving African slaves to be RAPED by their masters.  As a result the product of a Puerto Rican. You, mis hermanos and hermanas are mulattos.  If you don't believe me just listen to Celia Cruz she's always paying homage to the Africano ancestors; better yet take a good look at your admiration for Jennifer Lopez and her backside; chicos and chicas that doesn't come from an Indian or Spaniard but pure Africano.  Here's one last one do you like Congas? Guess what, Africano again!

Peeps wake up, reconstruct, demand respect of your leaders, the judicial system, your children, your elders.  Black America you can NO LONGER sit down and think you're doing good.  All rainbow of races are against you, it's time to demand your respect, self-worth and seek sustaining progress that is owed to YOU!

Pisst Off,
Blacktina

*Back in the day recitals were referred to as assemblies in inner city schools.

A Few Chips in the Cookie

Last week I attended a "thinkers" seminar on behalf of my employer.  The audience consisted of mainly senior management and some 1st line level managers.  As we were segmented into groups for various exercises I couldn't help but notice the racial demographics.  Each group of five had one black person; the total number of participants were 29, 23 of those 29 were white and the remaining six were black.  It's obvious we don't need a rocket scientist to decipher only 20% of the room containing management was black!  Is this phenomenon new? Absolutely not; but is it tiring, Absolutely YES!

As I worked within my group I wondered about the other 20% and was curious did they too feel the disparity.  Unfortunately these instances aren't new, however, I often self-examine why do they exist.  We often here the term equal opportunity; if there is only 20% of blacks in a room of management, did equal opportunity really prevail? Does the term equal opportunity mean equal amongst blacks and not the position? Is it equal to a certain allowable number? The methodology surrounding the equal opportunity equation is one that leaves some serious bafflement.  Unfortunately I do not have the answer; but I do know there is a problem.  Ironically the thinker seminar was based on problem solving.

So, Corporate America here's a problem for you "Why are so many high level positions still held primarily by whites?"  A couple of ways to solve this problem via the suggestions of the seminar was through mind mapping.  As my mind maps to this problem here's what I came up with:

Segregated Education -  Brown vs  Board fought for equal education amongst races, but not amongst financial class.  Once whites realized this they took they money and moved into all white neighborhoods.  Legally from a taxation view schools that are housed in a district with a larger income tax distribution receive more funds, less teacher to pupil ratio and overall a nicer place to learn, hence enhancing the desire to learn, preventing drop out rates.  Statistics show blacks/hispanics are poorer than whites; so if this doesn't change which obviously is affecting our education; are we doomed to always be the 20%?

Culture Differences - Black/Hispanics culture and needs are different from whites.  We do not care about hiking, camping, what do to in the case of a bear interaction.  These instances are not part of our normal lives.  Therefore, answers to questions regarding hobbies during an interview or personal perspectives may not necessarily attract an interviewer.  Yes, I know we can work around that but quite honestly the work around may seem inauthentic which ultimately discredits our chances.

20% - OK who's looking for us? Who thinks we're qualified? Are those in position considering candidates seeking us? Are they recruiting from inner city schools? Do they look in certain minority organizations? Where is the search coming from?

Using my newfound skills in addition to mind mapping the problem we're also supposed to define a viable solution that can be implemented and controlled.  Based on the results of my mind mapping exercise very little can be done.  I don't mean to sound gloom; however this is a truth.  As a people; do we work 110% harder?; do we increase the “hard work” number to 200%?; what is it that we can do to double our numbers from 20%?  The one thing we can do is provide awareness to the next generation.  20% may not seem like a lot but it's more than 1%, it's more than 5%, it's more than 10%!  20% is still not OK but it shows progress.  I've been in Corporate America for 25 years and I do remember when I saw 5%.  Being a young woman in a new world it really didn't appeal to me, but as I grew in ranks I began to understand the differences and applaud the strives being met.

My advise to you coming into this corporate world, do not become discouraged.  Speak your voice, don't worry if you don't hike or battle bears, honestly if that makes a person then this world is more screwed up than we thought, LOL.   At the end of the day you need to be yourself, there's a reason you were chosen.  Examine and embrace that reason and keep moving forward as you battle this fight.  As they say in boxing "may the best man/woman win!" Be the best you can be.  I’m sure strives will continue and as the 20% rises you can be proud that your best resulted in much deserved progress!

Peace Out,

Blacktina