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
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