Post Racial

I don't think I need to do yet another recap of the Gates/Police debacle. Instead I will offer my opinion on this whole notion of America being post-racial. This morning and last night I had some very interesting conversations regarding the matter.

First of all, I'd like to say that there is absolutely no reason that Professor Gates should have been arrested in the first place. I was unaware that a non-violent overreation warranted an arrest. If it were so, Rush Limbaugh and nearly every person in America would be hauled off to hail.

Second of all, we're not even sure IF Professor Gates "overreacted".

I'm bothered that reporters keep wanting to "trip" Obama up with this incident. I don't think Bush, or Clinton would have been asked about this matter. I don't think this would have gained as much attention as it has. The only reason that this is such an issue, is because most Americans truly believe that because we have the first Black president, this somehow means that we are post racial. Marginal reporting is done on the growing number of hate groups ignited by this historic presidency.

No one talks about all of the snide water-cooler comments that Blacks endure when well-meaning liberal whites want to "ask a Black Person" about Obama's politics.

Racism is embedded in American society. Don't fault me, I didn't make it so. Nevertheless, it is what it is. In what circumstance is it okay to arrest the VICTIM of a crime. Do we arrest people who have been raped, robbed, buglarized...for being upset at the scene of the crime!!??? Apparently we do. And there are a lot of people who think that because Professor Gates is Black, he had absolutely no right to be upset. He should "stay in his place" and be as accomodating to the officer as possible. (For goodness sakes, a Black man can and should be arrested and or shot for being upset!)

This incident is another wake-up call to America that will probably, unfortunately, be ignored.

See Obama's "Apology Speech" here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D22ZzIvWe6A

Sookie and Bill

I proudly admit that I'm a self-respecting woman who indulges every Sunday night to the "Trueblood" trash phenomenom. I got hooked near the end of last season after my sister put me on to these post-bellum vampires in hot and humid Louisiana. Not only am I surprised that I can stomach a show about vampires, I've actually begun seeking out more vamp entertainment to hold me over until I get my next weekly fix.

I absolutely love Lafayette. I have been watching with lackluster enthusiasm because he's not the shit-poppin' homo thug from last season. But I can just satisfy myself with the fact that he's even alive (apparently in the book he does, in fact, die.) But I must get on to my main issue....Sookie and Bill. First of all, I can't stop staring at Sookie gap sitting dead in the middle of her face. Am I really supposed to think that she has seduced a pseudo-sexy vampire? Not me, that can't slip that one pass me!

I find myself just wishing I could fastforwad them...OMG!....they're totally taking up my hour! Shit! I mean really, all of the other characters are way more interesting than Sookie and Bill. Jason (and his fine ass) is definitely way more interesting than Sookie and Bill whining over some vampire beef that I could care less about. I LOVED Tara last season (even though she was the stereotypical "Black Bitch"...but she was just so damn FUNNY!!!! This season's she's too soft and vulnerable for my tastes....but I have enjoyed the whole MaryAnne and (Ok...so I just googled Tara's boyfriend, and apparently his name is....Eggs???) Eggs dynamic. Discovering that MaryAnne is a "maenad" had me online researching...what the hell exactly is a maenad?

As shocked as I am that I even enjoy this whole fantasy world filled with shape-shifters, vampires, "maenads", and telepaths... I'm even more surprised how much the main characters SUCK!

Welcome to Blog-Nation

If you're reading this...you are probably a blogger. If you're not a blogger, you probably know someone who does. If you don't know someone who blogs (or think you don't) you probably regularly read a blog - and then I'm hoping that mine is your first choice! Everyday someone else I know is a newborn blogger.

Some consider this type of prose the lowest form of writing. Other think these rantings are the very fabric of destruction that is quickly eradicating any whiff of intelligence still remains in this country. Just this morning I came across my little sister's blog ( I knew if was her because, unlike me, she's decided not to be anonymous and I saw her picture). She only has one post, so here's hoping.

Most of us who blog do so for different reasons. Some are professional writers who crank out witty paragraphs with a paycheck that has more zeros than their blog has words. Some are attention seekers (uh hum...Perez Hilton). Some are lonely and want to rant to a world that doesn't care anyway (even though it's probably me...I'm not ready to admit it!), and others just want to improve their writing skills. (Who would be so nerdy???....)

Whoever you are, whatever your purpose....just know this....you're grandmother's probably a blogger!

Celebrity

As a new New Yorker, I frequently spot celebrities and almost celebrities all the time. Just the other day, I was in a very humble yet delicious Chinese restaurant in Midtown where I saw two reality TV non-stars. Since I've already become a somewhat jaded New Yorker, and have ceased to go up to celebrities and let them know that "I" have spotted them, I squealed in excitement to my lackluster boyfriend.

Often friends and relatives ask me if I've gotten a chance to spot a celebrity and I give them all the details of all my D-list spottings. In this day and age of TMZ and everyman reporters (if you've got a camera on your cell phone, apparently you're a reporter) how is it possible that this obsession is seeping out of me. It's possible that maybe it's not, inasmuch as not only do I read MeadiaTakeOut obsessively, I've got it sidelined on my blog for goodness sake!

Some of the celebrities have been very nice to me, and have even held conversations with me. Others have raised their eyebrows at me and spoke to me with that "leave-me-the-fuck-alone" tone. Outside the reality non-stars I saw a television actress in a new restaurant in Harlem, and I didn't bother to say a word. I don't know if these events are kudos to me, or just proof that new in my New Yorker is getting a little stale.

Michael Jackson

I've been mourning so hard, I forgot to pay tribute to the late Michael Jackson. It would definitely be a shame on me if I didn't acknowledge this icon. Rest in peace Michael.

Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man

A few months ago I read Steve Harvey's book, "Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man: What Men Really Think About Love, Relationships, Intimacy, and Committment". As I browse lists looking for good reads (as I obssesively do), I'm keep coming across this title over and over again. I had a chance to sit in on a book discussion of both sexes where the book was discussed. I promise you that the discussion was as entertaining as it was enlightening.

There were about twenty people in attendance, five of them were brothas. Two of the brothas came with their girlfriends, and the three single men hadn't even read the book, but were willing to offer their opinion nonetheless. They also expressed the same concern: they were tired of seeing so many single black women in New York, lonely and without a man.

Everyone, male and female, could agree that Harvey's book really wasn't anything new. If you'd been raised in a remotely nurturing environment, even if you didn't follow his advice, you've heard it before. I admitted that although I'd heard 99% of the book before, I'd never considered that men loved differently than women. Harvey's assertion is that women have this unconditional, all encompassing, completely irrational love - and we expect this love to be reciprocated from the men we bestow this love upon. Harvey explains that men have a certain way of loving that is more "practical" (because HE says so), and that once women learn to accept this fact, women who've been unsuccessful with men before, will start to see better results.

I thought it was an interesting hypothesis, but I think it neglects the fact that there are men who DO love like this. The men at the book club meeting agreed with Steve Harvey. They also offered an explanation as to why more and more black men are choosing to date white women as opposed to black women.

Their reasoning was unanimously stated that black women are extremely closed minded and have a list of demands as well as things they won't do. They stated that time after time they've dated black women who were willingto try new restaurants, unwillingto try new sex positions, unwilling to go to exotic vacations, try different types of clubs. This sounded a far cry different than my circle of friends, who've been complaining of the same things about black men, and have even stated that they're starting to consider crossing-over-to-the-other-side.

One thing that I have noticed....and I'm sure I'll probably get a lot of shit for this, but...black women do tend to have funky attitudes! I'm sorry but they do! These men bravely came out to this women's book club meeting, and calmly answered these womens questions and offered their opinions...these usually very intellectual fabulous divas attacked these men like a pack of hyenas! It was almost as if they were attacking every failed relationship they've ever had.

I wish this was the first place I've seen this type of behavior from black women, but sadly it's not. I've seen black women go off on brothas in the club, on the sidewalk, in church, in the office, in any public or private place. I'm not saying this is the behavior of all black women. I myself am a black woman, and I'm not so ignorant that I would ascribe any one characteristic to an entire group. But I can't help but correlate a certain pattern of behavior that I've noticed on occasion.

Act like a lady - we should always. Think like a man - I'm really not sure what that means. I think he may be attributing having common sense with thinking like a man, and I just can't agree with that. Having said that, read the book with a man you respect and trust - if nothing else it'll be a fun discussion.

What I've Been Up To

I've been disgustingly absent for quite some time. I have attempted to write a post, and found myself with lots to think about and little to post into a blog. I looked over my post and noticed that much of what I have to say is whining. (I think this is true of many of the blogs out there...)

So, to celebrate my return to the wonderful world of blogdom, I've decided to highlight a few of the brighter aspects of my life.

1. Last weekend, my sweetie every so nicely and lovelingly squeezed the oils out of my nose and plucked the "hard-to-wipe" oils off of my nose with a tweezer.
- It's nice to know that there's someone who loves me enough. :)

2. This evening I saw the movie "Taking Pelham 123" (I hope that's right, but I'm afraid I'm too lazy to google the actual title...). At least I haven't been on a highjacked train!
- Dodging singing homeless people has been the worst of all my travels on the train.

3. Last weekend I saw "Up" in 3D...I've hadn't cried that hard since "Bambi".
- 3D has definitely improved since I was a kid.

4. The other day a kind old stranger gave me an "Energy" magazine. Inside of it were all of these pamphlets about quitting smoking.
- I guess he was tired of seeing the enjoyment I got out of my morning cigarette.

I'm sure I have more positive anecdotes to share...but I'm afraid that I'm tired. (My day starts in the wee hours of the morning.)

Having said that, I will retire for the evening.

- Ciao