Why We Own Nigger

This past weekend I went to see the new Kevin Hart movie Let Me Explain and I laughed my ass off.  He's no Richard Pryor but he's good enough for now! As I cracked up and sometimes teared I found myself laughing of Kevin use of the "N" word, hell I'm going to say it Nigger.  Yep he said it more times than I could count.  And guess what it didn't piss me off, I was fine with it.  As a matter of fact every time I hear one of us call each other Nigger it gives me pleasure.  Please don't get me wrong I know where it comes from and what's associated with it, and because of that it gives me pleasure.

As Black people have we realized that we've taken a word that was so harmful, ugly, mean and disdained and turned it into a term of endearment that not even the ones who created it can use it!  When has there been a time in history that we created something and white man tries to take it, Elvis anyone? And God forbid we try to take something they created, we'll still be lynched, but Nigger is one of those things we now own and they can't get it back! I take pride in knowing that.  

The whole debate of eradicating the word should be re-vamped into the word Nigger has to be removed from white language only.  If whites say it they suffer the consequence the same way our ancestor suffered if they didn't properly address a white person (remember don't look into their eyes), LOL.  Yes I know I'm going too far and I don't mean it, but I am honest about owning the word. As black people we should say Nigger anytime we get in front of them, it kills them that they can't say it, not even repeat it from a rap lyric.   And for that alone I love me some Niggers day in and day out!

Peace Out,
Blacktina

Feeling Dogged by DOMA - the VRA Compromise

This week has been the the week of two historic events for our nation.

1) The gays are happy, DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act) has been upheld by the Supreme Court.  According to one of my friends who's been with her wife for 25 years, she's finally rich!

2) The Supreme Court declared parts of the VRA (Voting Rights Acts) no longer need to be upheld and local government can control some of these aspects as they see fit. Translation, states can require ID (which I don't see as a problem), however, they can also

determine what the local government can constitute in terms of the right and access to vote (i.e, closing polls early, eliminate Sunday voting, etc.).  According to Chief Justice Roberts parts of this law was in place to combat discrimination, but since we're no longer a racist society we no longer need these parts of protection.  Hmmmm.....we're no longer racist?!?!? John may need to call Paula Deen and get that little fact checked.

As a black hispanic woman I am pisst at both of these events.  Yep, I said BOTH.  I am all for gay equality but I resent the gays get their way while the opposition of the VRA affects majority of minorities.  All along, the gay community supported their argument on the backs of the civil rights movement that affected the African American community; but how is that they get equality and we continually get discriminated? Where are the gays now? Do they still feel like blacks? I don't think so......

Part of DOMA's passing is strongly contributed that many of the right wing's children, other family members, etc. are "coming out" and in support of their families many of the legislation supporting the gays are being passed.  Makes me wonder should we call Henry Louis Gates,  Jr. to research some of the right wing politicians and verify perhaps maybe one fifth of their black blood; would it change their minds and affect their political standing.  Here's an interesting fact, some probably know their "tainted" ancestry and choose to ignore it or obliterated all together. But when it comes to their gay son and his long time "roommate" these are acts that can no longer be avoided and rather than alienate your child, let's enact laws to protect "Kyle". 

I think this reasoning is a pure crock of shit! Where are the gays now besides crowding court houses with their weddings.  Do they still side with the plight of African Americans during the civil rights movement? Or are they asking "Big Daddy" to walk Junior down the aisle?

Yes, America it's a sad day, it's proof that it's all about the privilege!  While this still remains it will always be one step forward to two steps back.  Going forward as a minority community we need to step up whenever another community tries to use our plight to compare to their whims.  The Jews would have NEVER allowed anyone to compare their discrimination to the holocaust, how dare we allow another group to do the same.  Hopefully, now everyone sees and just like in slavery time that Miss Anne would drop your ass in a minute once she gets what she wants!

I can't say today who are our black leaders, cause honestly I really don't see any.  I see complacent, I see turmoil, I see disenfranchisement, I don't see much PROGRESS.  People we got to start stepping up big time; if not there will be more than some VRA opposition.   In the words of 90s hip hop song by the Brand Nubians "Wake up, Wake up"!

Peace Out,
Blacktina

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

Do I Laugh or Cry?

I don't know whether to laugh or cry.  Laugh for the mere fact that I'm astonished and I don't know why but nonetheless astonished that we actually had advertising that demoralized ethnicity(s) in such an atrocious way; or cry knowing that these feeling although hidden by some still exist today! Courtesy of thevine.com take a look at some of the common ads that plagued our society less than 100 years ago!


Peace Out,
Blacktina

Little Women!

Sheryl Sandberg, Marissa Mayer and all you stuck up little women who go around bullying others including fellow women as if you had a prosthetic penis attached to your vagina, let me me just say "You my dears are setting women back 100 years and then some!"
Women in Corporate America in general have made great strides; some of us are comfortable with still being Mommy's, wives, daughters, etc. Your recent public actions have insinuated that in order for a woman to achieve greatness she has to basically give up her family.  Maybe it's OK for you two and your comrades who make a million + + +, but it's not something every woman should or needs to do. We should be able to tend to our families; just like a man should and keep our positions as well as elevate.  The very act of saying that we can't lends credence to the male dominant opinion who's perception is we can't do both, a contradiction I'm sure many women unequivocally can dispute.  Our defense lies in the simple fact that we do it everyday without "domestic" help like you two ladies.

Before you go on 60 minutes and grace the cover of Time magazine may I suggest you get a grip and watch your words.   Sheryl and Marissa, I'm sure surrogate sisters somehow, do not represent the average woman in Corporate America as a matter of fact they represent a very small percentage of women who most likely have a hefty therapist fund for their children as they struggle with separation issues.  Lastly I truly hope both of these so-called corporate maniacal women are not taken seriously and many others such as myself go out their way to vehemently refute their so-called claims!  In retrospect I'm a mother first and a professional second, in my book a hug from my child is worth far more than a pat on the back from my boss (mic down)!

Side Note: I wasn't going to go here but if I have to or I wouldn't be Blacktina; could it be the message of these two women stem from them being white? After all isn't it common in the white culture for others to tend to their children? Throughout slavery it's no secret Mammy raised the children.  One of the most celebrated movies of 2012 publicized this very action in The Help.  Curious is this a cultural thing that these two very rich women share the same opinion because they have the same upbringing and in turn expect the same "return" as it pertains to child rearing? Just curious........

Peace out,
Blacktina