Say What???

I Thought We Were Past This

2008-07-30T20:28:00.001-07:00

So here I am, little naive me, thinking that we are a little more sensitive anc civilized than to use stereotypes and mock ones culture. HA! I was wrong!

Going through the bumper stickers on facebook, I found this outrageous, offensive, and repulsive sticker. How can someone find this funny?

The worst part is the person isnt even Black! Not to say the its ok to use offensive words or images if you are Black, but its not as bad or as racist as someone white using these images.

I can honestly say that I am well beyond outraged and God-awful image. Not every Black person likes watermelon, hell i dont! Why does it seem to be so damn hard to get past this stereotype?

"Whaddup, Whaddup, WHADDUP!"

2008-05-03T20:24:00.001-07:00

Photo courtesy of Google

So for anyone who remembers the Martin, I'm sure you're thinking back to all the great moments you had watching that show. But I bet most of us dont remember the horrible representation of the Black coulture.

The worst characters were not only the main cast (Martin, Tommy, Cole, Gina and Pam) there was Sheneneh, Bro'Man, Hustle Man, and Mama Payne.

Sheneneh was the stereotypical, loud, obnoxious, ghetto girl with long tails, weave, and rolling her neck. Bro'Man was the slow ignorant, uneducated Black man, coming to Martin's to make a sam'mich. And then there was Hustle Man, the hysterical street peddler- basically the stereotype that a Black man cant keep a job.

Now that I think about it, its a horrible show, simply by the way it depicts my culture.

Knuck If You Buck

2008-05-02T16:27:00.000-07:00

Photo Courtesy of google.com

According the to theories of neo-minstrelsy, one of the new main characters is the "Bad buck," which is basically the abrasive, angry Black man. In this photo David Banner doesnt look the way he has in other interviews. He is trying to be "hard" or tough, or whatever you would like to call it. Is this how Black men are supposed to be seen? Is this how white people see Blacks? Anybody have an answer for me?

Ladies, What's Your Type?

2008-04-28T10:26:00.000-07:00

Video courtesy of youtube.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhea6akohqA

To start off, this is the epitome of what people think Black folks are like. Let me say that not every Black person is "ghetto." Kelly has the extra long acrylic nails, hair that is obviously a weave, and outfits that are very revealing. This video even has the old school car on hydrolics. Why is a "ghetto" lifestyle so idolized and made to be so fabulous, or should I say Ghetto Fabulous? Is this what Martin Luther King Jr and Malcolm X and everyone from the Civil Rights Movement fought for? Would they be proud that this is what their efforts were for?

Would You Cater To Him?

2008-04-28T10:20:00.001-07:00

Video courtesy of youtube.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiuR4J_IYUk&NR=1

This video brings up images of the "perfect" woman in the minds of many men. Damn near every man sayd that he wants a woman who cooks and cleans, it may not be the only thing she does, but she at least does that. yet, this is every man's fantasy, the women from Destiny's Child talking about catering to her man. Ladies, lets stop kidding ourselves, our men fantasize about that. Ask your man if he would like it if you catered to his every wish and see what he says, $20 says he exclaims yes! Why is it that the perfect woman caters to her man? Maybe I should ask my boyfriend if thats what he wants. I'll let you all know later, lol.

"If His Status Ain't Hood"

2008-04-28T10:17:00.000-07:00

Video courtesy of youtube.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8n6bnlK5K2E&feature=related

The first thing I noticed about this video is that its almost the opposite of the normal R&B and Hip Hop video -the men are dancing around the women. Although, it seems like it would be a great image to have the men parage around them, its not any better.

It presents the image that women just want a man that will be disrespectful and treat them wrong, but deep down on the inside they are as sweet as pie. HA! I have yet to find a man like that.

As if that isnt the worst part of the video, the women parade around in bikinis, fur coats, and skimpy outfits. Its just a degrading video on sooooo many levels.

Do you Want His Lollipop???

2008-04-28T10:05:00.000-07:00

Video courtesy of youtube.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hfc7Pcjl20&feature=related
*This video is uncensored

There are SOOOOOO many things wrong with this video. This entire song is about him getting oral sex and then the video is alluding to all these women that want him. Hes not even that attractive!!!! But thats besides the point...the song is disgusting. I wonder if he wrote this from his groupie experience...its possible.

now, look at the women in this video, they are all wearing very little clothing and if its a dress its either very low or very tight. They are even laying in a pool of lollipops trying to be seductive and enticing. Does anybody see whats wrong with this picture????

Masculinity and Culture

2008-04-28T09:37:00.000-07:00

Photos courtesy of google.com

What denotes maculinity? What makes a man? Does it depend on one's culture and what they deem as masculine or is mainstream culture right in its attempts to say what is masculine and what is feminine?

Our society tells us that the perfect embodiment of masculinity and the epitome of a "real man" (as opposed to a fake one) is one with an 8 pack, washboard abs (6 packs are not sufficient anymore), tall, and surrounded by other manly men, although it looks slightly homosexual (above picture). Is this what makes a real man? I've never known a man like that, nor do I want to.

In my culture, a real man is more like the man pictured with his son. He is a protecter, a lover, and a provider. The way men are raised in Black culture (when raised properly) they are taught to be all these things to their wife and children and when young women are raised (again, properly) we are raised to want a man with those values and beliefs.

A man is not made by his height, body structure, or what events he is involved in. So why do we put so much weight on what those things say about a man. So if a man like Prince, for example, can do all the things I was raised to believe a man should do, then he is a man despite that he doesnt look like the images we are used to seeing regarding maculinity.

So guys tell me, are you a real man???

Feminism in Lyrics

2008-04-28T09:23:00.000-07:00

Video courtesy of youtube.com
http://youtube.com/watch?v=FxGAwkBAbro&feature=related

On the new album by Danity Kane, they have a song called Poetry. This song is about new beginnings and the relationships they are in, which their men do not listen and they are not honest with them. So the women are "starting a new verse like poetry."

This makes me wonder if one could classify this as modern feminism. They are talking about trying to feel confident and everything, but they need to leave him and start something new.

Does this encourage other woman in similar situations to be strong and leave the man that doesnt meet her emotional needs? Would this song provoke you to "start a new verse?"

Is That All Women Are Good For, Stripping????

2008-04-28T09:16:00.001-07:00

This video is courtesy of youtube.com
http://youtube.com/watch?v=DcIwYDPI5Ao

So this is Danity Kane's single, Strip Tease. Generally I am a fan of Danity Kane, but this song is atrocious! All this song is about (obviously) is eroticism and stripping for a man who "wants a taste." At one point in the song one of the girls says "you want my tasty cakes."

The more I listen to it I wonder if this is one of those songs that we're written for them or if they wrote it. Most people do not realize that if you do not have enough status, as an artist you cannot write your own songs or turn down songs written for you. It makes me wonder what their circumstance was for this song.

The song is basically about a one night stand and stripping for this guy. Most female singers have a song similar to this, is it their choice or one of the constrictions that are placed upon them?

Can Our Ads Be Anymore Racist?

2008-04-28T09:07:00.000-07:00

Photo Courtesy of Google.

So, everybody knows of the syrup body in the shape of a woman, known as Aunt Jemima. But most people dont know the original image of our favorite "Aunt." The original image of her depicts a very racist, mammy, house slave image. Is this what every mother or grandmother should be like, I hope not.

If you ever in your life call a Black woman "Mammy", it would not result in her making you pancakes. Its just as bad as uncle tom, or any other name. So, never ever ever say it, just a bit of advice.

What the Hell?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

2008-04-28T09:03:00.000-07:00

Photo Courtesy of Google.

So, I am fully aware that there is racism in other countries, but I never guessed I would have seen an image such as this. This is an atrocity. Its a good thing I cant read German (I least I think thats what that is) otherwise I would probably be more offended.

How can anybody this this is a good image to show? What in the hell are they trying to say by showing a little white boy with brown makeup on his face- it looks like a more modern day blackface. I hope I'm wrong because that it HIGHLY offensive.

Just Jokes???

2008-04-28T08:44:00.000-07:00

These videos are courtesy of youtube.com

Steve Harvey http://youtube.com/watch?v=ZUAJPKRYeNk
D.L. Hughley http://youtube.com/watch?v=o3lCB2MAQ7c
Cedric the Entertainer http://youtube.com/watch?v=xNA-jgdXBL0
Bernie Mac http://youtube.com/watch?v=vGATCtDLDBY

For those of you that have not seen Kings of Comedy, not only is it hysterical, but it is very true. Now, I can only say that from a Black perspective. But when they bring up race, as they normally do, are they correct in their assumptions of white people?

Although I found all these jokes BEYOND hysterical, I question if whites are offended by these jokes and images. In the beginning of the Bernie Mac clip, he welcomes the "white folks"and says that when white people come out to see you that means you're successful. Has that become the new standard of success?

In the other clips of Steve Harvey, D.L. Hughley, and Cedric the Entertainer they mimick and mock white people by impersonating their voices, mannerisms and comparing them to black people and their actions and behavior. Are these impersonations and images correct?

Is Justice Racist?

2008-04-25T08:56:00.000-07:00

This article is courtesy of aol.com
http://news.aol.com/story/_a/judge-clears-cops-in-grooms-shooting/20080425085009990002?icid=100214839x1200749576x1200026499

This brings into question the possible corruption of our justice system. Three young black men are shot, not once or twice, but loaded with bullets because the officer thought he heard one of them mention a gun. Either way you do not fire 40 bullets at someone without concrete evidence. I do not want to sit here and advocate that our justice system is biased against those of color, but when has this been done to someone white. If it has, please correct me.

A lot of people would say that our system cant be corrupt because there are black officers inflicting some of this violence. Yes, that is true, but let me remind you that back in slavery there were black overseers in the field to make sure the slaves were doing what they were told. So what has really changed? Nothing, they are still negroes working for the white man against their own, only difference is thats its 2008.

Is This How Black Folks are Seen?

2008-04-18T08:02:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I see images such as this and I wonder how much images of Blacks have really changed. Now the images of mockery are not blackface and minstrel shows, but I question images of white pretending they are Black. By that statement i am referring to whites dressing up in clothing by urban designers, which they would not normally wear, pretending they are "hood" or "ghetto," screaming out "yo, yo, yo, etc.," and throwing up fake gang signs. Its really quite a disgusting image.

So, once again I ask, have the racist images and stereotypes of Blacks really changed? And is this really how people see Blacks; is this how people see me and my family?

Pure Comedy or Racism????

2008-04-15T15:25:00.000-07:00

Both videos are from youtube.com

http://youtube.com/watch?v=dUtcTDkyPgQ

http://youtube.com/watch?v=ZB2sR1Fowws&feature=related

So heres the age-old question: Is it racism or just jokes?

For those of you who do not know Katt Williams, hes hysterical! In these 2 clips hes talking about how black people need white friends and white people need black friends. The second clip is along the same lines; basically how blacks need latino friends and latinos need black friends. In the process of making his point he mocks the stereotypes (and even some facts) around each culture. He pokes fun at white people putting leashes on their kids but how loyal they are as friends and he jokes about how latinos throw the best partoes but also how they need to do some things different with their kids.

If you were to view any other comedian (particularly Black comedians) they also joke about race. So is the concept of poking fun at one's race make someone a racist? But if they are saying truthful statements, does that still make them a racist or do they then become a realist?

There is really no way of distinguishing the difference. There is no written code, unless you're white, on what you can and cannot say to the public in terms of making one a racist. The bottom line is that there is no line...

Who Knew Disney Was a Racist????

2008-04-07T06:42:00.000-07:00

So...apparently our beloved Disney is racist. Yea, you read that right....If you watch their film "Song of the South" you'll see exactly what I'm talking about. It isn't so much the happy-go-lucky, overly joyful slave in being portrayed in the light of the grinning domestic, but what is worse is that the portrayal of each cartoon animal was done in the image and misconceptions of Blacks. You have the short antsy rabbit, who almost mimicked someone from a city, simply in his mannarism, you have the fox/wolf thing, who many would describe in today's society as a "triflin nigga," and lastly you have the bear who is uneducated, big, and clumsy; basically a representation of how southern Blacks are seen. I cannot even begin to say how appalled I was at these representations and the misconceptions in this movie.

Oh and by the way, the slaves made me sick. The worst part for me is that their life was soooo great as a slave, excuse my language, but thats bullshit! Then you have the older gentleman whos telling stories about some damn rabbit and shuckin and jivin with the stupid rabbit, all in a friendly attempt to get the kid to go back home instead of running away, as though he really cares...do you think thats realistic???? Hell no! I bet $10 if a slave was really in that situation they would convince the kid to go home, not because he cared so much, but because he knew his ass was on the line!

Ugh, I could rant ahnd rave allllll day about this movie that Disney put out, but I wont, I have class soon and this is getting my blood pressure up. Bye!

Is She Your Role Model????

2008-03-26T22:02:00.001-07:00

There are so many people to look up to and for some reason my generation has to look up to celebrities. Now, thats not to say that I dont have my favorite celebrities, but I do not look up to them for any reason. The worst part is that in 2001 one of the biggest role models was Britney Spears; sadly enough she ranked higher than Jesus. Does any one else see a problem with this???

We are placing celebrities and media figures about those who have actually done something in the world, for example Jesus, Mother Teresa, Ghandi, and even people like Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. This is pathetic. We pick and choose people as they are "in their prime" so to speak. The minute they start to slip we deny loving them. Look at Britney Spears, once a pop princess on top of her game. Now a sad representation of what life in the public eye can do to you, I think shes bipolar personally. Overall, this is sad, children looked up to her. If we continue to follow this pattern our young women will be a mess the minute they hit puberty.

BEFORE AFTER

Sex and the City...and the "Cosmo Girl"?

2008-03-12T22:39:00.000-07:00

This video is from youtube.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAt4SfLI9D0

As much as I love Sex and the City, Ive realized recently that it attempts to empower the class of women known as "Pink Collar." For those who don't know, these women don't put such a value on marriage and having a baby, but more on their career, financial, and sexual independence.

In this clip the girls are questioning whether or not they are sluts because they lead a "exciting" sex life. It brings to light the age-old question: Are you a slut if you have sex before marriage? Charlotte had sex with a man and when he climaxed he screamed out calling her a bitch and a whore. Samantha jokes that Charlotte had sex on the 2nd date and Charlotte's rebuttal in her defense was "No, it was the 3rd." Does that make it any better? Is there a specific time of being with someone or number of dates that after passing, it beings a right of passage for a sex life with that individual?

What happened to old morals and values of sex within marriage or at the very least a committed, exclusive relationship? In the same clip Samantha has a man come to her apartment at 2AM and when people in her building question who has visitors that late, she gets kind of embarassed about her booty-call. If thats the case why have a man come up that late? Is that kind of behavior still seen as unacceptable and inappropriate?

This basically brings into questions the kind of women in today's society and what their values and morals are. The biggest question is what changed it???

What Happened to Smart Black Women?

2008-02-27T13:59:00.000-08:00

1. Why does her name have to be "Sheniqua"?

2. Why does she have to spell the numbers instead of just writing them?

3. Why does she have to spell the numbers like that???

What I hate the most about this graphic is that it insinuates the Black women are simple and uneducated. Or the saddest part is when people deny believing that and they use Oprah or Condoleezza Rice as their examples in saying that they do believe Black women can be intelligent. Why does that bother me you ask? Simply because using the 2 most publicized Black women known for their intellect and education doesn't count.

We shouldn't have to prove that we are not uneducated as many people believe (as seen by the creator of this graphic) and for someone to choose the 2 more prominent Black women to refute this statement is irrelevant. I am referring to Black women as a whole, not the 2 people that hold some kind of place that you must be intelligent to achieve. Frankly, its annoying when people say that.

It really gets irritating when people make comments about Black women being ghetto, and doing nothing besides dancing and shaking their behinds. Or if someone does think a Black woman is attractive it isn't because she has attractive qualities or personality, it is because she is "exotic." If that is the case maybe someone can answer something for me; how can I be exotic if I'm from the same country as the man of an opposite ethnicity that thinks I'm exotic??? Exactly...it makes no sense. Not an ounce!

"Are You My Daddy???????"

2008-02-27T13:56:00.001-08:00

So this is a "bumper sticker" from facebook. What I think is the worst part about this bumper sticker is that it gives the impression that all Black men who have kids are bad fathers, but even those that do not have kids, it gives the appearance that they have 6 or 7 kids running around.

Now, I'm not going to lie, I had a little chuckle when i first saw this. Not because it is that funny, but rather, in utter shock and distaste of how sad and serious the person who made this was. It actually makes me think of the kind of photos that appeared in men's magazine. Why? Simply because when the image is in a cartoon it takes the seriousness out of the image. People simply say that it is "just a cartoon" when it reality this is making an assumption about a whole race.

I frankly find it done in poor taste.

"Are You The Woman He Wants?"

2008-02-26T21:16:00.000-08:00

The article is courtesy of aol.com

http://body.aol.com/healthy-living/relationships/understanding-men

After reading the difference of what a man wants versus what a man needs and trying out the choices on my own boyfriend, I wonder if this article was more for men or women.

Let's think about it. If the target audience was women then I think they would want to reaffirm that they are a good girlfriend or wife. If it is directed towards men then it achieved that goal by telling them what they want versus what they need in a woman. The only question becomes whether or not it is accurate.

I think the saddest partof articles like this is the reaction and results they get. Plenty of women buy into these articles versus just asking what their boyfriend wants. The more media feeds this nonsense to women, the more they replicate what it says. And ladies, after doing all this garbage that we are told to do in magazines and online articles, we wonder why our boyfriends get sick of us asking questions that have nothing to do with the relationship...its because we are getting it from stupid sources. There is such a desire to know what is going on in the mind of the opposite sex, but nobody wants to ask. Thats a problem!

If there wasn't such a lack of communication our relationships with each other would be a lot healthier. Ladies, stop believing everything articles tell you on "how to please your man" or "how to be the woman he wants." Let's use some logic please; if he didn't want you he wouldn't be with you and if you want to know something, ask him. Dont assume that what an article tells you is definately true for your relationship.

Is This The New Fashion?

2008-02-18T09:01:00.000-08:00

Photo & Article courtesy of http://www.tmz.com/2008/02/18/no-thats-not-marilyn/

So, something I think is interesting is how Lindsay Lohan is on the cover of New York Magazine for spring fashion, yet she is not actually wearing clothing.

In an attempt to re-create a Marilyn Monroe photo series known as "The Last Sitting" Lohan showed her birthday suit to everyone. My only question is, "Why???????"

It seems very confusing and unwarranted as to what made her do this. I might be able to understand if she were playing Marilyn Monroe in a movie or something, but she wasnt. Was this her attempt to do damage conrol on her image after her stint in rehab? What this just a bad business move? I think it makes people wonder what she is doing with her life in the sense that she goes from Rehab to posing completely nude...she doesn't appear to have everything back to normal as she claims.

The funniest part of this photo re-make of hers is that you will not find a man doing the same thing. I have yet to see a man pose nude for any reason. Does that mean there is a question as far as men and sexuality? Is explicit sexuality only for women to participate in and for men to view? What if a man did do something to a similar effect, would that change how he is perceived by everyone?

Basically is this "nude fashion" only for women?

Satire or Racism?

2008-02-01T19:34:00.000-08:00

This video is courtesy of Youtube.com, originally airing on BET.
This video is called "Read a Book" and for those who haven't seen it yet (I HIGHLY suggest you watch it)
http://youtube.com/watch?v=rN2VqFPNS8w

Ok, so calm your laughter. I know this video is hysterical, but in all seriousness, is this something that you would consider racist or satirical? This video mocks the values of the "Hip-Hop Culture" and how it has become a crisis within the Black Community. There is a large emphasis and value on material things, self-interest, a lack of family and fathers, and a healthy lifestyle. I personally am glad to see something that brings light to situations within the Black Community and how there needs to be a social change. But then to someone else would it constitute as racism because they are more or less "mocking" Black culture, or rather the STATE of Black culture. When asking someone about what they thought, they claimed that it couldnt be racist because it aired on BET and it was made by Black people, which in itself is an interesting statement.

Basically, I am very pleased that the Black community is starting to recognize that there is a problem because there cannot be a solution until you recognize that there is a problem.

Is Beauty Ageless?

2008-02-01T06:28:00.000-08:00

The article is courtesy of AOL Shopping

http://shopping.aol.com/pages/Beauty-Tips-by-Age/20212?ncid=AOLCOMMshopDYNLprim0001

What I love about this article is that fact that it disproves everything I was taught about beauty. Is beauty really just skin deep? According to this article and the products featured, it is true, you are only beautiful is your skin is...heck, who cares if you have a beautiful personality.

Our society is so full of vanity and self-absorption that even aging with beauty, grace, and wisdom is a non-existent concept. I frankly, find this appalling. For example, I was always taught that getting gray hair is not only a sign of age, but also wisdom and knowledge. But women dye their hair so much (men do too, but women more often) that the regard of timeless beauty and wisdom is no longer valued and seen as beauty, but rather it is seen as getting old and useless. If we cant even value those with an earned and accomplished wisdom to share in our society, then what is it that we really do value?

Sex Sells, But Does It Influence Too?

2008-01-30T10:46:00.000-08:00

This article is courtesy of topsocialite.com
http://www.topsocialite.com/miley-cyrus-underwear-pictures/

As some may have heard, Vanessa Hudgens from High School Musical was the first, but now Miley Cyrus aka Hannah Montana has followed in the footsteps of many up and coming cute actresses turned pseudo-porn star. Apparently, Ms. Cyrus has taken pictures of herself holding up her shirt and standing in her underwear as well as in a bikini. "What's the problem with this," you ask?

It is very simply, she has fallen into the category if impressionable celebrities. For some reason many young female artists take the whole "sex appeal" too far and well beyond a photo shoot for work. They incorporate it into their personal lives and TRY and be sexy at the age of 15 or 16. What happened to 15 and 16 year olds looking 15 and 16, not 25?!?!
http://news.aol.com/entertainment/television/tv-news-story/ar/_a/cyrus-caught-in-underwear-pic-scandal/20080129090109990001
Does she actually look 15 in this photo...NO!

Frankly, I think its a shame how the media pushes sex appeal so far that young girls are concerned about looking sexy at 15 years old! For a prime example, look at myspace and other networks like that, girls are taking pictures of themselves half-naked and posting them online and they see nothing wrong with it...Its a damn shame!

Does This Make You Concerned About Fur?

2008-01-28T09:56:00.000-08:00

The photo provided featuring Eva Mendes is from furisdead.com

Now, I understand the concept that PETA is going for. But if you really think about it, is it more about the photo fitting the slogan or is it the fact that sex sells and if you have a catchy slogan to accompany it, then people wont notice as much. I personally have a problem with that.

Why is it that for a controversial topic requires you to take your clothes off? I could be reading into it too much, but it seems like anytime a woman cares about it issue, the only way to get the attention of the public is to take her clothes off.

http://www.furisdead.com/feat_eva_mendes.asp

Sadly enough, this ad is not the only ad in which nudity is used to promote awareness for a controversial topic. In a Marc Jacob's skin campaign, Victoria Beckham (Posh Spice) posed nude to take a stand against skin cancer and protecting ones skin.

“Since we moved to California I have realized how important it is to practice safe sun for myself and to keep my three boys’ skin well protected as well. “Skin cancer is a huge problem and I really wanted to help raise awareness by taking part in Marc’s initiative.”

Now, what I dont get is how taking your clothes off to promote healthy skin and loving"the skin you're in" is being a good role model for your three sons. I just dont understand. The media and every industry which has access to the media plays on sexuality to the point that I question it. The even bigger question is why do we, the audience, accept these images that perpetuate nudity and sexuality without question? Has an open perception of sexuality become the norm so much that we can even identify it as a catchy slogan?

To see the actual t-shirt with Victoria Beckham, follow the link
http://www.imnotobsessed.com/2008/01/29/these-two-cant-keep-their-clothes-on/