Today I was going to post a blog that I wrote about fashion. However yesterday I received news that fellow UVa student-athleteYeardley Love was found murdered in her room off campus. This is such a grievance to my heart. To have walked the campus, been an athlete, and being a recent graduate it just breaks my heart to know that there could have been a number of us in that position.
It just reminds me how precious life is and how precious people are. I've seen her in my coming and goings in the athletic training room and honestly now I wish I would have spoken to her. I am grieved that such a beautiful life was cut short. In our day to day lives we get so busy and we forget about the small things, even saying a hello to a person. Sometimes we feel we are too "important" to speak to the "little" people and sometimes we feel too "little" to speak to the "important" ones. This has to stop! Ripping and running has to stop, we need to take the time to make the important connections.
And I quote President Casteen in a statement addressing The University, "Yeardley died without comfort or consolation from those closest to her. " This is a terrible way to go and I know that many many people go like this.
I say all of this to say, let's look out for one another. Let's show love to the one we don't care about and even more love for the one's that we do care about.
Life is too short to take for granted and when it ends you cant take any of the material possession with you. And as I believe we will only see people in Heaven (and we should be aware of what it takes to Heaven, if you are not message me and I will let you know), not money, a car, position or title.
Let's remember the important things!
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Window Seat
I wrote this last week but its taken a while for me to post..been a bit busy!
Back on my blogging tip, I have been reading many blogs about Erykah Badu’s window seat, which I love btw. You probably have heard all the critiques:
“Oh no, she went too far!” “Dang, her booty is huge! :O (Shocked face)” or “This is wonderful!” Most of the sentiments that I have read reflect either one of these three reactions.
I want to delve into why such a simple music video is deemed controversial. Cinematically it is simple in many forms, and while the message is complex the entire video really shouldn’t be that problematic for society. We have all seen worse! I would like to explore the ownership of black body and the appropriation of that ownership which is why I think so many are uncomfortable with this video.
"She stripped on camera!"
I think many people are upset with Badu because she takes ownership of her body. There was no form or fashion neither style nor grace. However, there is a sense of freedom and spontaneity, a sort of “in the moment” feeling. I say “in the moment” because Badu used guerilla style-shooting, which is based off of guerilla performance popularized in 1960’s. In guerilla theatre people would come on stage and act, do what they wanted. There was no set script or guidelines. Guerilla theatre emphasizes the “moment”, with its spontaneity and surprise performances in public spaces. There is no rehearsal, or no chance to think things through. Its improv without the comedy.
Guerilla performance is an art form. Within this genre Badu presents her body as a work of art. She dictates it as artwork, not as an object. Badu doesn’t allow you to objectify her. So is this what makes people uncomfortable? Does our inability to objectify a black woman make us uncomfortable?
What makes it so uncomfortable to watch Badu strip? We can neither speed up how fast she strips to get the moment over, nor slow it down. In essence, we as viewers cannot control what we see. Often time’s guerilla acts were performed for unsuspecting audiences; often time’s audiences were unaware of when the performance stops or when the curtain closed. In the same manner, the viewer could not control when or how Badu performed. Cinematically, she uses a hand held camera. Hand-helds are the cameras often used to express a point of view and the movement is often shaken and uncontrollable. By using a hand held from the outset Badu is stating that “this is my point of view,” which you cannot control or filter. Also the shakiness and movement of it renders the viewer even less controllable: there is no sense of order. Despite what people like to think, we love order. We love it in film, TV, and in our everyday lives. Imagine a comedic romance. Let’s say Katherine Heigl and Orlando Bloom are the protagonists and at the end of the film Heigl doesn’t get Bloom. No love scene at the end, no crashing the wedding and taking the groom. We as viewers would be very much upset!(I paid to see this crap!)—Don’t deny it! (lol)
So the simple fact that we cannot control what we are looking at or we are unsure of the presentation makes up uncomfortable.
Similarly, we cannot control Badu’s body within a familiar space. This familiar space is music videos. In music videos today there is a sense of ownership of the woman’s body. In the videos, the women belong to a man/thug and outside the videos the women belong to the music label. Let me pose a question: we know how black women are supposed to be in music videos, right? They are supposed to be dressed scantily, gyrating to the music, bobbing their heads and lip-singing lyrics like “smile for me daddy/she a bobblehead.” Oh the joys of disempowerment **sarcasm**. In many commentaries Badu is compared to Beyonce. No matter how predictable Beyonce is my concern is not woman vs. woman, but color vs. color. I'm curious, was anybody shocked when Lady Gaga in Telephone was stripped naked or doing that dancing scene in a thong showing her butt? I haven’t heard much about that. O wait! I know!!! It’s okay for Gaga to do that; it’s okay for her to do what she wants with her body in any space. I mean, for all intensive purposes, she is white. White people have the freedom to do what they want; their boundaries are rarely policed in any spaces. But Badu: “How dare you!?”
You see, Badu takes ownership of her body which, historically, hasn’t been hers for centuries. Centuries ago, African Americans were property: they had no control over their bodies. Centuries later that sentiment remains. Just look at Rhianna for example: I love Rihanna’s style and dress, but she doesn’t dress herself nor comprise her own image, which is sad. Badu steps out to break this idea that the black body still belongs to society. You see, Beyonce does what is dictated and typical for that space, for music videos. But Badu not only takes ownership of her body, but she takes ownership of her sexuality as well. We are not able to label Badu as a Jezebel, Sapphire, or Mammy. Badu doesn’t claim that she is a refined “ho” or a matronly maiden. I think that is why some people are upset. Badu takes real ownership of her sexuality. Not pseudo-ownership like Beyonce. By pseudo I mean claiming to own your sexuality, but then conforming to every stereotype of femininity and hypersexuality dictated to you. Badu simply says “No.” As a black female, she did things her way.
"She used the site of JFK’s assassination!"
I really don’t understand why people are upset that she did this at Kennedy’s assassination site. Yes it is a historical location but, at the same time, it is a public space. There have probably been some bums who have had their fair share of Badu moments at the midnight hour. I took a class once on race, space, and culture. It was about how the appropriation of space was often dictated by race ---this was not the entire objective of the class, but one of many---. With that, I really think that people are upset because in essence, they feel she “dirtied” a pristine presidential figure. “How dare you do such a thing?!” , “She sullied the park!” When people think of a monument or historical figure/place they often view it as untouchable or even saint-like. Just take a look at any reference or dialogue to Abe Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson, or George Washington. --- (Remember how upset people were when it came out that Thomas Jefferson may have been black? Lol) --- So this historical place in conjunction with a black woman’s naked body (mind you one that historically doesn’t hold any value i.e. Sarah Baartman), only brings the value of that place down. Furthermore, Badu does the exact opposite of what people are expected to do at those monuments. She does not outwardly revere or submit this historical figure. And in the viewers eye’s she did not pay her due respect. I don’t think Badu doesn’t respect him.
I think, for the purpose of the video, she does pay him respect. You see, Badu could have picked anywhere to shoot, but she chose there for several reasons. First and foremost I think she pays respect to him because she revisits a historical place and its historical impact. By bringing it back Badu reminds us of how far away we have gotten from what JFK and Martin Luther King wanted for this country. It is not hard to imagine that we are back to the post civil rights society --- (Just take a look at unemployment and the browns and blacks in jail) ---. Maybe Badu chose this location to remind everybody how far progress has gone: not very far at all. African Americans are less employed than they were pre-Civil Rights Movement. Progress cannot be made if everyone is conforming and thinking the same way, hence the assassination of groupthink. I dare say that Badu pays homage to the message of JFK by revisiting this memorial. The reason Kennedy was assassinated is, by and large, because he did not think like the rest of the country at that time and some people didn’t like it. Badu takes ownership of this message.
I think Badu pays homage not only to JFK, but to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X: the individuals that challenged us to be progressive thinkers.
However, today’s society is still not ready for an individual like that. If we were, we wouldn’t be so quick to publicly assassinate Badu and her image. (She gets fined! Among other things)
I address the group to THINK…
Out!
Back on my blogging tip, I have been reading many blogs about Erykah Badu’s window seat, which I love btw. You probably have heard all the critiques:
“Oh no, she went too far!” “Dang, her booty is huge! :O (Shocked face)” or “This is wonderful!” Most of the sentiments that I have read reflect either one of these three reactions.
I want to delve into why such a simple music video is deemed controversial. Cinematically it is simple in many forms, and while the message is complex the entire video really shouldn’t be that problematic for society. We have all seen worse! I would like to explore the ownership of black body and the appropriation of that ownership which is why I think so many are uncomfortable with this video.
"She stripped on camera!"
I think many people are upset with Badu because she takes ownership of her body. There was no form or fashion neither style nor grace. However, there is a sense of freedom and spontaneity, a sort of “in the moment” feeling. I say “in the moment” because Badu used guerilla style-shooting, which is based off of guerilla performance popularized in 1960’s. In guerilla theatre people would come on stage and act, do what they wanted. There was no set script or guidelines. Guerilla theatre emphasizes the “moment”, with its spontaneity and surprise performances in public spaces. There is no rehearsal, or no chance to think things through. Its improv without the comedy.
Guerilla performance is an art form. Within this genre Badu presents her body as a work of art. She dictates it as artwork, not as an object. Badu doesn’t allow you to objectify her. So is this what makes people uncomfortable? Does our inability to objectify a black woman make us uncomfortable?
What makes it so uncomfortable to watch Badu strip? We can neither speed up how fast she strips to get the moment over, nor slow it down. In essence, we as viewers cannot control what we see. Often time’s guerilla acts were performed for unsuspecting audiences; often time’s audiences were unaware of when the performance stops or when the curtain closed. In the same manner, the viewer could not control when or how Badu performed. Cinematically, she uses a hand held camera. Hand-helds are the cameras often used to express a point of view and the movement is often shaken and uncontrollable. By using a hand held from the outset Badu is stating that “this is my point of view,” which you cannot control or filter. Also the shakiness and movement of it renders the viewer even less controllable: there is no sense of order. Despite what people like to think, we love order. We love it in film, TV, and in our everyday lives. Imagine a comedic romance. Let’s say Katherine Heigl and Orlando Bloom are the protagonists and at the end of the film Heigl doesn’t get Bloom. No love scene at the end, no crashing the wedding and taking the groom. We as viewers would be very much upset!
So the simple fact that we cannot control what we are looking at or we are unsure of the presentation makes up uncomfortable.
Similarly, we cannot control Badu’s body within a familiar space. This familiar space is music videos. In music videos today there is a sense of ownership of the woman’s body. In the videos, the women belong to a man/thug and outside the videos the women belong to the music label. Let me pose a question: we know how black women are supposed to be in music videos, right? They are supposed to be dressed scantily, gyrating to the music, bobbing their heads and lip-singing lyrics like “smile for me daddy/she a bobblehead.” Oh the joys of disempowerment **sarcasm**. In many commentaries Badu is compared to Beyonce. No matter how predictable Beyonce is my concern is not woman vs. woman, but color vs. color. I'm curious, was anybody shocked when Lady Gaga in Telephone was stripped naked or doing that dancing scene in a thong showing her butt? I haven’t heard much about that. O wait! I know!!! It’s okay for Gaga to do that; it’s okay for her to do what she wants with her body in any space. I mean, for all intensive purposes, she is white. White people have the freedom to do what they want; their boundaries are rarely policed in any spaces. But Badu: “How dare you!?”
You see, Badu takes ownership of her body which, historically, hasn’t been hers for centuries. Centuries ago, African Americans were property: they had no control over their bodies. Centuries later that sentiment remains. Just look at Rhianna for example: I love Rihanna’s style and dress, but she doesn’t dress herself nor comprise her own image, which is sad. Badu steps out to break this idea that the black body still belongs to society. You see, Beyonce does what is dictated and typical for that space, for music videos. But Badu not only takes ownership of her body, but she takes ownership of her sexuality as well. We are not able to label Badu as a Jezebel, Sapphire, or Mammy. Badu doesn’t claim that she is a refined “ho” or a matronly maiden. I think that is why some people are upset. Badu takes real ownership of her sexuality. Not pseudo-ownership like Beyonce. By pseudo I mean claiming to own your sexuality, but then conforming to every stereotype of femininity and hypersexuality dictated to you. Badu simply says “No.” As a black female, she did things her way.
"She used the site of JFK’s assassination!"
I really don’t understand why people are upset that she did this at Kennedy’s assassination site. Yes it is a historical location but, at the same time, it is a public space. There have probably been some bums who have had their fair share of Badu moments at the midnight hour. I took a class once on race, space, and culture. It was about how the appropriation of space was often dictated by race ---this was not the entire objective of the class, but one of many---. With that, I really think that people are upset because in essence, they feel she “dirtied” a pristine presidential figure. “How dare you do such a thing?!” , “She sullied the park!” When people think of a monument or historical figure/place they often view it as untouchable or even saint-like. Just take a look at any reference or dialogue to Abe Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson, or George Washington. --- (Remember how upset people were when it came out that Thomas Jefferson may have been black? Lol) --- So this historical place in conjunction with a black woman’s naked body (mind you one that historically doesn’t hold any value i.e. Sarah Baartman), only brings the value of that place down. Furthermore, Badu does the exact opposite of what people are expected to do at those monuments. She does not outwardly revere or submit this historical figure. And in the viewers eye’s she did not pay her due respect. I don’t think Badu doesn’t respect him.
I think, for the purpose of the video, she does pay him respect. You see, Badu could have picked anywhere to shoot, but she chose there for several reasons. First and foremost I think she pays respect to him because she revisits a historical place and its historical impact. By bringing it back Badu reminds us of how far away we have gotten from what JFK and Martin Luther King wanted for this country. It is not hard to imagine that we are back to the post civil rights society --- (Just take a look at unemployment and the browns and blacks in jail) ---. Maybe Badu chose this location to remind everybody how far progress has gone: not very far at all. African Americans are less employed than they were pre-Civil Rights Movement. Progress cannot be made if everyone is conforming and thinking the same way, hence the assassination of groupthink. I dare say that Badu pays homage to the message of JFK by revisiting this memorial. The reason Kennedy was assassinated is, by and large, because he did not think like the rest of the country at that time and some people didn’t like it. Badu takes ownership of this message.
I think Badu pays homage not only to JFK, but to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X: the individuals that challenged us to be progressive thinkers.
However, today’s society is still not ready for an individual like that. If we were, we wouldn’t be so quick to publicly assassinate Badu and her image. (She gets fined! Among other things)
I address the group to THINK…
Out!
Friday, April 9, 2010
Conderate History Month
This is just off top, my raw feelings about this:
I must say that I am really upset by the implementation of Confederate History Month. Virginia is my stomping grounds( highschool and college, even though I'm from the boogie down borough bka THE BRONX).
It really saddens me that they would put this into practice. I just dont understand why something like this should be celebrated. What did the confederacy really accomplish? Postiive accomplishement? We celebrate Black History Month, Women's Month, and National Hispanic History Month because of the accomplishments of this once oppressed group.
Which is unlike the confederacy! If you want to highlight the "rich" history of Virginia then maybe it should be called Virginia History Month. I dont know, maybe its me.
Also, If Virginia gets a month then so should California, Alaska, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut. You cant be giving out stuff all willy nilly!
And lastly if people were truly fond of Confederate History Month, why didnt North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Arkansas, Tennesee, Mississippi, Texas, Louisiana, Alabama and Florida join?
Or maybe they will!
I must say that I am really upset by the implementation of Confederate History Month. Virginia is my stomping grounds( highschool and college, even though I'm from the boogie down borough bka THE BRONX).
It really saddens me that they would put this into practice. I just dont understand why something like this should be celebrated. What did the confederacy really accomplish? Postiive accomplishement? We celebrate Black History Month, Women's Month, and National Hispanic History Month because of the accomplishments of this once oppressed group.
Which is unlike the confederacy! If you want to highlight the "rich" history of Virginia then maybe it should be called Virginia History Month. I dont know, maybe its me.
Also, If Virginia gets a month then so should California, Alaska, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut. You cant be giving out stuff all willy nilly!
And lastly if people were truly fond of Confederate History Month, why didnt North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Arkansas, Tennesee, Mississippi, Texas, Louisiana, Alabama and Florida join?
Or maybe they will!
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Quit the Monkey-ing Around
Monkey Business:
Walt Baker, the prominent CEO of the powerful Tennessee Hospitality Association sent out an email last night to his close buddies comparing First Lady Michelle Obama to Tarzan's Cheeta.
Baker's email:
( these are the exact pictures used in his emai1)
Now what did Walt Baker have to say about all of this? "Sorry." Well, that was his apology to his friends. He gave a more elaborate apology to Metro Council.
This apology came only after he lost a sponsorship. Of course!
Baker was later terminated because of his actions. i don't know but is anyone breathing a sigh of relief!?
I know I'm not. Basically this is a slap on the wrist for Baker. You might be thinking "Girl, he lost his job"! Yea I know, and so have million of other Americans and they aren't necessarily falling back on a couple million in the bank (note: I can only make this assumption because Baker was a key figure in gaining approval of the controversial $585 million convention center...and i dont think he did it for charity)
Throughout this adminstration The Obama's have constantly been referred to as some relative to the ape family. There is no apology or excuse that can pardon such trangressions. and this one definetly doesnt work:
I bet the college students at UCSD were just having fun, trying to have a cookout.
I guess nowadays racism is done in fun. I mean it would have to be since the US is so post-racial now. It couldn't be seriously and blatantly be acted out post civil rights movement and Barack Obama. It's only done in the gleeful spirit.
You see this is a derailing method. A way to not call an ace an ace. It's a means to invalidate a claim that something is racist. Similar to calling someone that gets upset about a hurtful comment, emotional, sensitive or even HOSTILE(Oh, no they didn't). Its a way to deflect any moral responsibility, to not be responsible for your actions. So, I wonder who really is the monkey?
I am tired of hearing these public apologies, from UCSD, John Mayer, Walt Baker, and the likes of those to comebecause you know there will be others. Shut it.....
OUT!
Walt Baker, the prominent CEO of the powerful Tennessee Hospitality Association sent out an email last night to his close buddies comparing First Lady Michelle Obama to Tarzan's Cheeta.
Baker's email:
Quoting Larry the Cable Guy…I don’t care who you are, this is funny…I was at the store yesterday, and I ran into Tarzan! I asked him how it was going and if he was into anymore movies. He told me that he could no longer make any more movies as he had severe arthritis in both shoulders and could no longer swing from vine to tree.
I asked how Jane was doing, he told me she was in bad shape, in a nursing home, has Alzheimer’s and no longer recognizes anyone, how sad. I asked about Boy, and he told me that Boy had gone to the big city, got hooked up with bad women, drugs, alcohol, and the only time he heard from him was if he was in trouble or needed something.
I asked about Cheeta, he beamed and said she was doing good, had married a Lawyer and now lived in the White House!!!
( these are the exact pictures used in his emai1)
Now what did Walt Baker have to say about all of this? "Sorry." Well, that was his apology to his friends. He gave a more elaborate apology to Metro Council.
Thursday night I spontaneously forwarded -- to a small group of people -- an email that had been sent to me as political humor. As I forwarded it, I did not think or consider its implications, other than that it was political humor. I am saddened that anyone misinterpreted the sentiments behind the email. I deeply apologize to anyone who is offended by this action. I hope that those who know me realize that the message was not intended to be malicious or hurtful in any way and can find it in their hearts to forgive me.
This apology came only after he lost a sponsorship. Of course!
Baker was later terminated because of his actions. i don't know but is anyone breathing a sigh of relief!?
I know I'm not. Basically this is a slap on the wrist for Baker. You might be thinking "Girl, he lost his job"! Yea I know, and so have million of other Americans and they aren't necessarily falling back on a couple million in the bank (note: I can only make this assumption because Baker was a key figure in gaining approval of the controversial $585 million convention center...
Throughout this adminstration The Obama's have constantly been referred to as some relative to the ape family. There is no apology or excuse that can pardon such trangressions. and this one definetly doesnt work:
It's not a political statement," Baker continues. "It was done in the spirit of having some fun with some close friends. It was something that was forwarded to me, and I forwarded it to a couple of people that, quite honestly, I thought might find some humor in it like I did.Come On, give me a break!
I bet the college students at UCSD were just having fun, trying to have a cookout.
I guess nowadays racism is done in fun. I mean it would have to be since the US is so post-racial now. It couldn't be seriously and blatantly be acted out post civil rights movement and Barack Obama. It's only done in the gleeful spirit.
You see this is a derailing method. A way to not call an ace an ace. It's a means to invalidate a claim that something is racist. Similar to calling someone that gets upset about a hurtful comment, emotional, sensitive or even HOSTILE
I am tired of hearing these public apologies, from UCSD, John Mayer, Walt Baker, and the likes of those to come
OUT!
Monday, March 15, 2010
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Fave Quote of the Day
Welcome to the Oscars:
In the 70 years between McDaniel's and Mo'Nique's wins, only three other black actresses -- Whoopi Goldberg, Halle Berry and Jennifer Hudson -- have taken home Oscars. Just one of those was for a leading role, and if you guessed that went to the only thin, light-skinned, button-nosed, biracial one of the bunch, you get a gold star. Four black men have won best actor -- three of those in the last 10 years -- and four have won best supporting. So that's 13 acting awards out of 328. In 82 years. This year also saw the second African-American to be nominated for best director and the first ever African-American screenwriter to win. In 82 years. Welcome to post-racial America.--- "In Defense of Mo'Nique's Oscar Speech", Broadsheet on salon.com
Articles to Share
Study finds median wealth for black women to be $5 in comparison to white women at $42,600
Are we really Post-racial?
Yes! A little bit of change
Please take the time to read each one. In some cases the blinders will be lifted.
Peace,
LiLi
Are we really Post-racial?
Yes! A little bit of change
Please take the time to read each one. In some cases the blinders will be lifted.
Peace,
LiLi
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
The Death Penalty
Very quickly I just wanted to post a quote that I ran across while rummaging through other blogs. I came along one of my favorites called Racialicious, and it quotesDavid Dow, who did an interview with Time
On a regular basis, I’m sitting face to face with murderers. When I imagine sitting face to face with somebody who might have injured somebody I love or care about, I can imagine wanting to injure that person myself. I used to support the death penalty. [But] once I started doing the work, I became aware of the inequalities. I tell people that if you’re going to commit murder, you want to be white, and you want to be wealthy — so that you can hire a first-class lawyer — and you want to kill a black person. And if [you are], the odds of your being sentenced to death are basically zero. It’s one thing to say that rich people should be able to drive Ferraris and poor people should have to take the bus. It’s very different to say that rich people should get treated one way by the state’s criminal-justice system and poor people should get treated another way. But that is the system that we have.— Appellate lawyer David Dow, interviewed for "The Death Penalty: Racist,Classist and Unfair", Time
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Public Assistance
Today I felt the need to address the misconception that come with "public assistance". Yes, the "public assistance" most commonly known as welfare. Did a picture of a poor black mother with two children clinging to her tattered jeans come to mind? Well if not that is good, but for most that is what comes to mind. How do I know you ask because where I am living that appears to be the sentiment. (BTW I live below the Mason Dixon Line)
Come. Gather around the fire and let me tell you a story:
My roommate (who usually has so many profound things to say about race (sarcasm)) tells me about a conversation she had with a neighbor.
Neighbor: Some people are so greedy when it comes to welfare. They just keep taking assistance and don’t try to work or do anything. They have babies just so that they can get paid to stay on welfare.
Roommate: AS if?(or in put any ditzy saying by a privilege white blonde)
Neighbor: yea they get like 1000 per child. They need to stop giving assistance after two children.
Now the above dialogue is what I imagined the conversation to be like because I was not present for the conversation. (Sidenote: During my roommate’s summary of the conversation I noticed that she conveniently gives our neighbor all the credit for making all of those remarkable comments). After explaining the conversation she then surmises about the condition of woman on welfare—basically attempting to give me the inside scoop on why women were on welfare.
I began to tell her that many of those women end up in situations that they cannot help. And despite the common misconception many of them are not lazy, but the government slyly provides assistance that barely allows them to support themselves. For example, Its like they will help you if you make 1.00 but they will only help you by giving you 1.25. And if you dare get a job that allows you to live on a 1.50 then you are cut off. Keep in mind that the average cost of living in this scenario is 2.00. So what can you really do in this situation? Her response, “Oh.”
Now even though she didn’t say it out loud she was referring to black mothers on welfare assistance. How do I know you ask, because we were just talking about black people and Atlanta and New Orleans and when I shut her down with other comments I guess she felt she wanted to bring up another point.
It wasn’t until later that I began to recognize my own ignorance in our discussion. I was trying to defend mothers on welfare and in turn I was justifying that there are some mothers who just have babies to stay on welfare. By trying to defend this stereotype I was only working to justify it. You see stereotypes are all encompassing, because they are generalizations about an entire group. However often times people try to dismantle stereotypes by saying “all black people are not like **insert description**”. But when you make that statement you are implying that there are SOME people that DO ACT according to this stereotype. That statement also justifies that those the DO NOT conform to this stereotype are ONLY the EXCEPTION. It all works to further validate the stereotype. So when it comes to stereotypes defense serves as justification.
So what do you do then? Well I would say bring some numbers to the table. By that I don’t mean have charts and spreadsheets handy but know the basics. Also challenge that individual to give you cold hard facts. In most cases they willlook stupid not know and shut their mouths and keep assumptions like that to themselves.
For example: Did you know that the majority of people on welfare are WHITE!
A 1994 census data study shows that most people who depend on welfare are White and live in suburbs or rural areas. The findings are contrary to the popular belief that most welfare recipients are unemployed, inner-city minorities whose families have gotten public assistance for generations. The study reveals that Whites make up 48 percent of the poor, followed by Blacks, 22 percent, and Hispanics, 22 percent.
There you have it, cold hard facts that cannot be refuted or turned around to be the exception.
Now for the 2010 census the numbers may have changed, simply because of the recession. Black unemployment is 16.5% in comparison to Hispanic unemployment at 12.6% and 8.7% for whites (thegrio.com). This is not including the LGBT community, which tends to have a 40-60% unemployment increase compared to the rest of the population. In a March 2009 study by the Williams institute states, “Transgender survey respondents are twice as likely to be living below the poverty line of $10,400 per year when compared to the general population. Approximately 23% of the transgender community earned wages below the national poverty level last year. Survey respondents report a 14% unemployment rate; during the months that the survey was distributed the statewide unemployment rate averaged 7%.”
Furthermore most who do receive government assistance would have difficulty making ends meet with the amount of money they receive. Data shows that people are welfare still have to work to provide for their families, and that becomes a difficult task when you’re assistance is based on how much you make. So in essence you are not laying back taking in that good ole welfare check. People on welfare are not lazy.
Let’s knock that stereotype….
OUT
Come. Gather around the fire and let me tell you a story:
My roommate (who usually has so many profound things to say about race (sarcasm)) tells me about a conversation she had with a neighbor.
Neighbor: Some people are so greedy when it comes to welfare. They just keep taking assistance and don’t try to work or do anything. They have babies just so that they can get paid to stay on welfare.
Roommate: AS if?
Neighbor: yea they get like 1000 per child. They need to stop giving assistance after two children.
Now the above dialogue is what I imagined the conversation to be like because I was not present for the conversation. (Sidenote: During my roommate’s summary of the conversation I noticed that she conveniently gives our neighbor all the credit for making all of those remarkable comments). After explaining the conversation she then surmises about the condition of woman on welfare—basically attempting to give me the inside scoop on why women were on welfare.
I began to tell her that many of those women end up in situations that they cannot help. And despite the common misconception many of them are not lazy, but the government slyly provides assistance that barely allows them to support themselves. For example, Its like they will help you if you make 1.00 but they will only help you by giving you 1.25. And if you dare get a job that allows you to live on a 1.50 then you are cut off. Keep in mind that the average cost of living in this scenario is 2.00. So what can you really do in this situation? Her response, “Oh.”
Now even though she didn’t say it out loud she was referring to black mothers on welfare assistance. How do I know you ask, because we were just talking about black people and Atlanta and New Orleans and when I shut her down with other comments I guess she felt she wanted to bring up another point.
It wasn’t until later that I began to recognize my own ignorance in our discussion. I was trying to defend mothers on welfare and in turn I was justifying that there are some mothers who just have babies to stay on welfare. By trying to defend this stereotype I was only working to justify it. You see stereotypes are all encompassing, because they are generalizations about an entire group. However often times people try to dismantle stereotypes by saying “all black people are not like **insert description**”. But when you make that statement you are implying that there are SOME people that DO ACT according to this stereotype. That statement also justifies that those the DO NOT conform to this stereotype are ONLY the EXCEPTION. It all works to further validate the stereotype. So when it comes to stereotypes defense serves as justification.
So what do you do then? Well I would say bring some numbers to the table. By that I don’t mean have charts and spreadsheets handy but know the basics. Also challenge that individual to give you cold hard facts. In most cases they will
For example: Did you know that the majority of people on welfare are WHITE!
A 1994 census data study shows that most people who depend on welfare are White and live in suburbs or rural areas. The findings are contrary to the popular belief that most welfare recipients are unemployed, inner-city minorities whose families have gotten public assistance for generations. The study reveals that Whites make up 48 percent of the poor, followed by Blacks, 22 percent, and Hispanics, 22 percent.
There you have it, cold hard facts that cannot be refuted or turned around to be the exception.
Now for the 2010 census the numbers may have changed, simply because of the recession. Black unemployment is 16.5% in comparison to Hispanic unemployment at 12.6% and 8.7% for whites (thegrio.com). This is not including the LGBT community, which tends to have a 40-60% unemployment increase compared to the rest of the population. In a March 2009 study by the Williams institute states, “Transgender survey respondents are twice as likely to be living below the poverty line of $10,400 per year when compared to the general population. Approximately 23% of the transgender community earned wages below the national poverty level last year. Survey respondents report a 14% unemployment rate; during the months that the survey was distributed the statewide unemployment rate averaged 7%.”
Furthermore most who do receive government assistance would have difficulty making ends meet with the amount of money they receive. Data shows that people are welfare still have to work to provide for their families, and that becomes a difficult task when you’re assistance is based on how much you make. So in essence you are not laying back taking in that good ole welfare check. People on welfare are not lazy.
Let’s knock that stereotype….
OUT
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Althea Gibson
The USLTA finally allowed Gibson to play in the 1950 Nationals when four-time U.S. singles and doubles (a two-person team) champion Alice Marble (1913–) spoke out on her behalf. Gibson lost her first match of the tournament, but the breakthrough had been made. Over the next several years Gibson worked as a physical education teacher at Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri. She also continued playing tennis and rose up the USLTA rankings (ninth in 1952, seventh in 1953). After a year of touring the world and playing special events for the U.S. State Department, Gibson staged a full-scale assault on the tennis world in 1956. That year she won the French Open in both singles and doubles.
Over the next two years Gibson was the leading women's tennis player in the world. In 1957 and 1958 she won both the Wimbledon and U.S. National singles titles, becoming the first African American to win a Wimbledon singles title. In 1958 she wrote a book about her life called I Always Wanted to Be Somebody. After her 1958 victory at the U.S. Nationals, Gibson retired from tennis and played professional golf. She was elected to the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1971.
When Gibson was ten years old, she became involved with the Police Athletic League (PAL) movement known as "play streets. In 1940 PAL promoted paddle ball competitions in Harlem. After three summers of playing the game Gibson was so good that the Cosmopolitan Tennis Club sponsored her to learn the game of tennis and proper social behavior.
In 1942 Gibson began winning tournaments sponsored by the American Tennis Association (ATA), the African American version of the United States Lawn Tennis Association (USLTA). In 1944 and 1945 Gibson won the ATA National Junior Championships. In 1946 several politically minded African Americans identified Gibson as having the talent to help break down organized racism in the United States. Gibson was soon winning every event on the ATA schedule. In 1949 she entered A&M University in Tallahassee, Florida, on a tennis scholarship and prepared for the difficult task of breaking the color barrier in tournament tennis.
The USLTA finally allowed Gibson to play in the 1950 Nationals when four-time U.S. singles and doubles champion Alice Marble spoke out on her behalf. Gibson lost her first match of the tournament, but the breakthrough had been made. She continued playing tennis and rose up the USLTA rankings (ninth in 1952, seventh in 1953). After a year of touring the world and playing special events for the U.S. State Department, Gibson staged a full-scale assault on the tennis world in 1956. That year she won the French Open in both singles and doubles.
Over the next two years Gibson was the leading women's tennis player in the world. In 1957 and 1958 she won both the Wimbledon and U.S. National singles titles, becoming the first African American to win a Wimbledon singles title. In 1958 she wrote a book about her life called I Always Wanted to Be Somebody. After her 1958 victory at the U.S. Nationals, Gibson retired from tennis and played professional golf. She was elected to the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1971.
(Courtesy of notablebiographies.com)
Friday, February 12, 2010
Winston E. Scott
Winston E. Scott was selected by NASA and reported to the Johnson Space Center in August 1992. He served as a mission specialist on STS-72 in 1996 and STS-87 in 1997, and has logged a total of 24 days, 14 hours and 34 minutes in space, including 3 spacewalks totaling 19 hours and 26 minutes.
Before joining NASA, Scott earned a distinguished record of service as a naval aviator. He served as a fighter pilot, helicopter pilot, production test pilot, and research and development project pilot. He has accumulated more then 5,000 hours of flight time in more than 20 different aircrafts.
Winston Scott retired from NASA and the U.S. Navy at the end of July 1999. He is currently Vice President and Deputy General Manager of the Engineering and Science Contract Group (ESCG) for Jacobs Engineering.
Scott has served as a university vice president, engineering college dean and professor and as the Executive Director of the Florida Space Authority.
Courtesy of http://www.winstonescott.com/
Wilma Rudolph
Born prematurely on June 23rd, 1940 Rudolph weighted 4.5 lbs, and caught "infantile paralysis" (caused by the polio virus) as a very young child. She recovered, but wore a, insert on her left leg and foot which had become twisted as a result. By the time she was twelve years old, she had also survived scarlet fever, whooping cough, chicken pox and measles. Her family drove her regularly from Clarksville, Tennessee to Nashville, Tennessee for treatments to straighten her twisted leg.
While attending Burt High School, Rudolph became a basketball star, setting state records for scoring and leading her team to the state championship. By the time she was 16, she earned a berth on the U.S. Olympic track and field team and came home from the 1956 Melbourne Games with an Olympic bronze medal in the 4 × 100-meter relay.
At the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome she won three Olympic titles; the 100 m, 200 m and the 4 × 100 m relay. Rudolph ran the 100-meter dash in an impressive 11 seconds flat. However the time was not credited as a world record because it was wind-aided. She also won the 200-meter dash in 23.2 seconds, a new Olympic record. After these twin triumphs, she was being hailed throughout the world as "the fastest woman in history". Finally, on September 11, 1960, she combined with Tennessee State teammates Martha Hudson, Lucinda Williams and Barbara Jones to win the 400-meter relay in 44.5 seconds, setting a world record. Rudolph had a special, personal reason to hope for victory—to pay tribute to Jesse Owens, the celebrated American athlete who had been her inspiration, also the star of the 1936 Summer Olympics, held in Berlin, Germany. Rudolph retired from track competition in 1962 after winning two races at a U.S.–Soviet meet.
Wow, what a woman!
John Mayer and Black Life in America
This response to"Could I break your heart like a white girl?", comes from the fabulous Quisha.
Excerpt from "Could I break your heart like a white girl?":
John Mayer’s interview with Playboy magazine was revelatory; he exposed his true subconscious thoughts to the world. Whether or not he intended to do so is a question that will go unanswered for now. Like many of us, John Mayer has grown up with specific preconceived notions: stereotypes, images of others that is, at best, faulty. This is apparent in his response to the interviewer’s comment about Mayer being associated with various rappers. Mayer answers the comment by suggesting that the lives’ of rappers can speak for the life of almost every Black man. The history of rap can, of course, be associated with Black life in America. However, a Black man’s struggle is very uniquely tied into the fabric of everyday social interactions and conditions that Black people have to endure such as racial profiling, negative stereotyping, prejudice, and inferior treatment which unanimously construct the anger, bitterness, and shame that characterize Black existence. Mayer accurately includes the concept of social death into his interview, but clearly does not fully understand the meaning. The truth is that, no matter how many struggles John Mayer survived, he can never fully understand the life of a “black dude,” not even the life of one Black man, because he does not have the history of an entire nationality of people to subconsciously remember or to consciously live. Blackness extends to who Black men date, who they marry, how they raise their children, where they work, how they interact with their spouse, how they emotionally support their families, and much more. Talia is very right in asking: “Why don’t we hear about the collective struggle of white America?” Black and white cultures, or ways of living, are very different from one another because of the remnants of history that continue to structure our fragmented existence. Mayer should have spoken more in depth about why he has a “white-supremacist dick” because that is intricately woven into the history of whiteness not into the concept of “being black” in America.
Excerpt from "Could I break your heart like a white girl?":
PLAYBOY: It is true; a lot of rappers love you. You recorded with Common and Kanye West, played live with Jay-Z.
MAYER: What is being black? It’s making the most of your life, not taking a single moment for granted. Taking something that’s seen as a struggle and making it work for you, or you’ll die inside. Not to say that my struggle is like the collective struggle of black America. But maybe my struggle is similar to one black dude’s.
...Why don’t we hear about the collective struggle of white America?
John Mayer’s interview with Playboy magazine was revelatory; he exposed his true subconscious thoughts to the world. Whether or not he intended to do so is a question that will go unanswered for now. Like many of us, John Mayer has grown up with specific preconceived notions: stereotypes, images of others that is, at best, faulty. This is apparent in his response to the interviewer’s comment about Mayer being associated with various rappers. Mayer answers the comment by suggesting that the lives’ of rappers can speak for the life of almost every Black man. The history of rap can, of course, be associated with Black life in America. However, a Black man’s struggle is very uniquely tied into the fabric of everyday social interactions and conditions that Black people have to endure such as racial profiling, negative stereotyping, prejudice, and inferior treatment which unanimously construct the anger, bitterness, and shame that characterize Black existence. Mayer accurately includes the concept of social death into his interview, but clearly does not fully understand the meaning. The truth is that, no matter how many struggles John Mayer survived, he can never fully understand the life of a “black dude,” not even the life of one Black man, because he does not have the history of an entire nationality of people to subconsciously remember or to consciously live. Blackness extends to who Black men date, who they marry, how they raise their children, where they work, how they interact with their spouse, how they emotionally support their families, and much more. Talia is very right in asking: “Why don’t we hear about the collective struggle of white America?” Black and white cultures, or ways of living, are very different from one another because of the remnants of history that continue to structure our fragmented existence. Mayer should have spoken more in depth about why he has a “white-supremacist dick” because that is intricately woven into the history of whiteness not into the concept of “being black” in America.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Could I break your heart like a white girl?
PLAYBOY: It is true; a lot of rappers love you. You recorded with Common and Kanye West, played live with Jay-Z.
MAYER: What is being black? It’s making the most of your life, not taking a single moment for granted. Taking something that’s seen as a struggle and making it work for you, or you’ll die inside. Not to say that my struggle is like the collective struggle of black America. But maybe my struggle is similar to one black dude’s.
This is just part of an interview that John Mayer did with Playboy magazine and unlike many people that don’t see any problems with his comments, I DO!
Mayer’s first infraction is his attempt to define blackness. Then he goes to reason that his struggle is similar to a black man, and therefore that is why a lot of rappers seek him out. Defining blackness seems oddly familiar, and despite the outrage it still continues. Now Mayer claims that his struggle is different from the struggle of the entirety of black America, but then he likens his stuggle to one black dude. I want to know which black dude, has similar experiences as John Mayer? Is there a American musician raised in Bridgeport, Connecticut, attended Berklee College of Music in Boston before moving to Atlanta, Georgia in 1997, where you refined your skills and gained a following? Is there a performer who performs mainly acoustic rock, but gradually began a transition towards the blues genre in 2005 by collaborating with renowned blues artists such as B. B. King, Buddy Guy, and Eric Clapton, and by forming the John Mayer Trio?
Anybody? No I didn’t think so. I believe that one “black dude’s” struggle contributes to the struggle of black America and therefore cannot be separated from that struggle. Mayer’s struggle is not related to the struggle of black America, and while it is possible for people to sympathize and empathize with him, the likening of his struggles to a “vague” black dude works to connect his struggle to that of black America.
The formula works like this: black dudes struggle=black America’s struggle. According to Mayer: Mayer’s struggle=black dude’s struggle=black American struggle. His claim ultimately states that it is all connected and one in the same, and its actually NOT.
Also note that anything that Mayer has gone through is seen as a personal struggle and it is not attributed to an entire community struggle. Why don’t we hear about the collective struggle of white America? #Imjustsaying (twitter lover)
MAYER: I don’t think I open myself to it. My dick is sort of like a white supremacist. I’ve got a Benetton heart and a fuckin’ David Duke cock. I’m going to start dating separately from my dick.
PLAYBOY: Let’s put some names out there. Let’s get specific.
MAYER: I always thought Holly Robinson Peete was gorgeous. Every white dude loved Hilary from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. And Kerry Washington. She’s superhot, and she’s also white-girl crazy. Kerry Washington would break your heart like a white girl. Just all of a sudden she’d be like, “Yeah, I sucked his dick. Whatever.” And you’d be like, “What? We weren’t talking about that.” That’s what “Heartbreak Warfare” is all about, when a girl uses jealousy as a tactic.
Now my biggest issue with this of course pertains to the treatment of black women. I give Mayer credit for admitting to his white supremacist attitudes when it comes to dating black women, which I don’t think many people will admit out loud. As far as America knows there is a mysterious reason why black women are un-datable hmmmmm.
At least Mayer puts it out there and says he hasn’t opened himself up to the idea.
Mayer names that Hollywood actress that he is attracted to. Most of them fall on the fair side of the spectrum which speaks to the larger complex that true beauty and attractiveness is more closely aligned with European features. What stuck out to me also is that Kerry Washington value as a person, girlfriend, attractive woman or whatever was only elevated after she was aligned with being “white-girl” like. He says that she is “white-girl crazy” (whatever that means” and she could “break his heart like a white girl”. The latter implicitly implies that WOC aren’t valued enough to take seriously in romantic relationships, and in this article specifically—black women. Mayer jumps right in and only appreciate the aspects of her personality that make her white. It is only these aspects that make her attractive, and only then he would only consider fugging her. Notice he didn’t say, “Yeah, I went on a date with him. Whatever.” No in his mind, she gave him fellatio…ummm yea. Anybody else catching my drift?
I wanna know what is white-girl crazy is? What is black-girl crazy? What is latina-girl crazy? And while we at it, What is trans-girl crazy? What is boy-girl crazy? What is asian-girl crazy? Oh, wait they don’t get crazy because they are submissive, demure and well-behaved.
Let’s knock the stereotypes…
OUT
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Hortense Allen Jordan
Born in St. Louis, Missouri and dancing "when she was just a schoolgirl" at the age of 14, Hortense Allen was choreographing and producing shows at the Plantation, the largest club in town, with a revue and her own chorus line by the time she was twenty. She had wanted to be a doctor, but saw no prospect of pursuing such a career, as a young African American woman without financial means. Brilliant and capable, she went into show business. Leonard Reed was an early mentor. Appearing in Chicago and the midwest with a revue and her own chorus line - to rave reviews - Allen came to the attention of impresario Larry Steele, who hired her to come east with him.
Allen produced and danced in Steele's "Smart Affairs" shows at the Club Harlem in Atlantic City, eventually directing and choreographing hundreds of shows, dancing every style of dance, sewing costumes for her lines, traveling in road shows, playing all the major houses, and teaching thousands of younger women. Allen fought the color prejudice that effectively barred any but the lightest African American women from dancing in chorus lines. She eventually left Larry Steele over this issue and continued producing shows headlined by Sugar Ray Robinson, Louis Jordan and James Brown.. She was, however, the first person to put an African American chorus line on Broadway, and opportunity that came her way via Louis Jordan. When other people thought stage shows were dead, in the 1960s and 1970s, Hortense Allen Jordan was still actively producing them at the Philadelphia's Robin Hood Dell, making work for women she had trained and bringing top-notch entertainers to large crowds. She was also the impetus behind the City of Philadelphia's Recreation Department hiring excellent African American women dancers are teachers at Rec Centers, when her husband, Ted Jordan, was commissioner of recreation.
(courtesy of folkloreproject.org)
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
General Larry Platt
American Idol has always been “all the rage” showcasing some of the most talented and memorable artist. Some “artists” are not remembered for their outstanding vocal performances but how much they make us laugh with their foolery. For example, William Hung’s “She Bangs” audition and most recently General Larry Platt’s “Pants on the Ground”(he is on the Far Left in Black and White and this is him many years later on American Idol).Similar to America’s approach to many things in the African American community, they highlight miscues and shadow the achievements. I am strongly against American laughing at him and reducing him to buffoonery, and therefore I would like to take a moment to recognize his accomplishments.
General Larry Platt is a civil rights activist. This former student of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. worked with activist groups like the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee and Southern Christian Leadership Conference(Black and white photo) to fight racial segregation in the South. He was beaten while participating in the infamous 1965 “Bloody Sunday” protest march from Selma to Montgomery in Alabama. He has marched with the likes of Martin Luther King Jr. and Hosea Williams. The nickname "General" was given to him by Hosea Williams because of his heroic efforts on behalf of the civil rights movement. The Georgia General Assembly designated September 4, 2001, as Larry Platt Day for his "priceless and immeasurable contributions to society", as well as "his great energy and commitment to equality and the protection of the innocent and for his outstanding service to the Atlanta community and the citizens of Georgia”. On that fateful day, the Georgia General Assembly declared: “For the past 40 years, Larry Platt has given of himself in service to the people of the City of Atlanta, the State of Georgia, and the nation…Larry Platt merits the highest recognition for his many valuable contributions to the Civil Rights Movement and his dedication to the struggle for equality and human rights.”
General Larry Platt had a hand in changing our generation. He helped fight to provide a space where we can equal access to our constitutional rights, education, jobs, and facilities. It is sad when an influential figure is reduced to a good whooping laugh. Does anybody else see the problem with that?
Monday, February 8, 2010
Arthur Ashe
Determination led Arthur to win three Grand Slam titles and a victory at Wimbledon during his career. Determination led Ashe to be the first African American male to win these titles and he remains the only African American player ever to win the men's singles at Wimbledon, the US Open, and Australian Open.
Ashe used his sportsman profile and legendary poise to promote human rights, education, and public health becoming a vocal advocate against the apartheid in South Africa.
After contracting AIDS through a blood transfusion he founded the Arthur Ashe Foundation for the Defeat of AIDS, which raised money for research into treating, curing and preventing AIDS.
Two months before his death he founded the Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health, to help address issues of inadequate health care delivery to urban minority populations.
His commitment to social justice, health and humanitarian issues left a mark on the world as indelible as his tennis was on the court.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Billie Holiday
Radiating beauty from the depths of her soul, this poetic songstress will forever be remembered for her vocal style and deeply personal and intimate approach to singing.
Gracing the stage with a Gardenia in her hair, the stellar beauty of her persona and voice reflected a difficult life, one filled with heartache and pain. It was in Harlem in the early 1930s that she started singing for tips in various nightclubs. In 1933 when she was discovered by talent scout John Hammond.
Once Holiday started she couldn’t be stopped. Her rustic vocals portrayed a passion and pain about life that left an indelible mark on all audiences. Billie Holiday is among the first black women to work with a white orchestra, an arrangement that went against the tenor of the times.
She co-wrote a few songs, but several of them have become jazz standards, notably "God Bless the Child", "Don't Explain", and "Lady Sings the Blues". She also became famous for singing jazz standards written by others, including "Easy Living" and "Strange Fruit".
Lady Day will forever be remembered as an icon in American history. Her vocals will always carry the tune of what it means to live.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Mae Jemison
Being fearless meant attending Stanford University at the tender age of 16. Earning a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering and later earning a doctorate degree in medicine from Cornell University.
Being fearless meant following her dream despite the racial and gender barriers in the science and engineering field. Dr. Jemison was the science mission specialist, investigating how space flight causes changes in bone cell function.
Though Jemison retired from NASA in 1993. She understood that being fearless also meant guiding the next generation of doctors, scientists, and engineers. In 1992 she established the Mae C. Jemison Academy in Detroit, Michigan.
Bill Russell
Upon entering the NBA, he helped begin a tradition of winning that remains unmatched in league history by capturing the NBA title 11 times in his 13 seasons with the Boston Celtics, creating the greatest dynasty in NBA history.
Despite his success, Russell was not welcomed in Boston by fans and media, a bitter reminder of the racism he had endured since childhood. As he did at every level, Russell rose above the hate and vowed never to be a victim of racial bigotry.
Russell succeeded legendary coach Red Aurbach in 1966, making him the first African American coach of any professional sports team. In 1972 Russell’s famed #6 was retired by the Celtics and three years later he was elected into the NBA Hall of Fame.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Charles Bolden Jr.
Pioneering as the first African American to head the NASA Administration, on a permanent basis, Charles Bolden made his mark in aeronautics and space early on in his life.
Earning a Bachelors of Science in electrical science from the Unites States Naval Academy and a Master of Science in systems management from University of Southern California
After joining NASA’s Astronaut Office in 1980, he traveled to orbit space four times aboard the space shuttle between 1986 and 1994, commanding two of the missions. Bolden led astronauts for vehicle test and checkout at the Kennedy space center and he also played a crucial role as Chief Safety Division at Johnson, overseeing safety efforts for return flights after the 1986 challenger tragedy/explosion.
Bolden’s pledge for safety/ to safety continued as Bolden was the first human test subject to ride the Launch Complex 39 slide wire baskets, which enabled rapid escape from a space shuttle on a launch pad, in case of emergency.
Bolden’s leadership and courageous efforts rightly earned him the nomination of administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Adminstration by President Barack Obama. As NASA twelfth administrator Bolden leads NASA teams and manages its resources to advance the agency’s missions and goals.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Mary McLeod Bethune
Born on a farm near Mayesville, South Carolina in 1875, Mary McLeod Bethune, the 15th child of former slaves, rose from humble beginnings to become a world renowned educator, civil and human rights leader, champion for women and young people, and an advisor to five U.S presidents. The young Mary McLeod worked in the fields alongside her parents and siblings, until she enrolled at the age of 10 in a one-room Trinity Presbyterian Mission School. Bethune always said “from the first, I made my learning, what little it was, useful any way I could.”
After studying to become a missionary and finding that they did not hire black missionaries, she became a teacher at the Haines Institute in Augusta, Georgia. Since, Bethune made it a priority to educate as many children as she could.
In 1904, she rented a building in Daytona Beach and founded a school for African-American girls. She had only six students and no supplies- ink was made from crushed berries and crates were used as desks. Mary took on every task to keep the school running- from teaching classes, managing limited finances, and even serving as custodian.
This school would grow to become Bethune-Cookman University in 1923. Mary McLeod Bethune’s vision lives on today at the school that she founded which continues to sustain her legacy of faith, scholarship and service.
Black History Month
So its been a while, but I thought it would be great to start back up acknowledging the many greats before us all. However, I want to extend black history month, I want to recognize more figures then the 28 days allow. So each day I will recognize a different figure until I cant think of any more. I feel that this is important because black leaders need to be seen as instrumental in American history, not just black history. Plus lending 28 days to recognize the accomplishments of a group of people is a shame. That means that we ignore such figures for 337 days. WOW!
* I am also open to any suggestions.
* I am also open to any suggestions.
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