With the Presidential election campaign gearing up, prepare yourself for the onslaught of differing political campaigns across the nation as well. It’s going to be a long election season.
Los Angeles City Councilwoman Janice Hahn (D), has found herself the target of an new viral ad that has Democrats across the board crying foul. Spearheaded by a new conservative group called “Turn Right USA,” the ad features a multitude of inflammatory depictions, including two African American men portraying “gangstas,” a blonde Caucasian woman (Councilwoman Hahn is a blonde as well) dancing upon a stripper pole, and uses the lyrics ”Give me your cash, bitch, so we can shoot up the street. Give me your cash, bitch, so we can buy some more heat.”
Hahn has received criticism from some, for employing former gang members to participate in gang intervention programs within the Los Angeles community. An area notorious for its difficulties with gang violence.
While the ad is a blatant example of both racism and sexism, those responsible are already scurrying behind the shield of free speech.
While some on the right have accused Hahn of “paying gang members off” I can’t help but wonder what we should call those who “pay lobbyists, oil companies, and Wall Street off.”
UPDATE: I originally published this in 2009 directly after this event occured. To date the officer in question was convicted and has since been released after serving less than a year in a Los Angeles prison. It has been noted that Michael Vick served more time for the death of an animal, than this officer served for the death of a man. He has already received job offers. #PureFuckery
On New Year’s Day the city of Oakland, California was once again reminded of why it holds the dubious title of the 5th Most Dangerous City in America. However; while many may be quick to write it off as another infamous example of the much hyped “Black on Black” crime, it must be noted that this is not the case. The victim, 22 year old Oscar Grant, was murdered by a police officer. Considering a new study has found that 98% of emergency room doctors suspect that some of their patients have been subject to police brutality, yet less than half of that report it. It makes one wonder just how many more “Oscars” have suffered the same fate.
In the early morning hours of the New Year a fight broke out on a BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit, i.e. the Bay Area’s version of a subway) train bound for Dublin. After arriving on the scene, police grabbed individuals off at the Fruitvale station in order to calm the situation down and obtain the full story of what had actually occured. Reports differ as to whether or not the right people were apprehended, but needless to say Oscar Grant was among the group that was detained. Laid face down on the pavement with his hands handcuffed behind, a friend and witness recalled how he implored for his safety, referring to the fact that he was the father of a 4-yr-old little girl. Moments later he was shot two times in the back as a police officer, (later identifed as Johannes Mehserle) stood over him.
Grant would later die as a result of his injuries.
To date the officer has resigned, but has gone under police protection and has refused to talk about the incident; and no charges have been made.
Amazingly, it was all caught on tape.
My purpose of this is to implore the youth to take a stand. I myself feel a personal connection because this occured in my hometown, yet as I type this from Houston, many here can recall yet another recent display of police brutality that occured in Bellaire. Though rioting, as they did in my hometown last night, may not be the answer; something must be done. We are often written off as the apathetic generation..this is our chance to prove them wrong. I find it odd that outside of the Bay Area no national media coverage has been issued, thus I implore you, if nothing else, to get the word out.
Recently, there was a study that showed that up to 42% of black women have never been married.
Think about that…42% <– nearly half of the population of African-American women, has never been married; while in comparison, only 21% Caucasian American women can say the same thing. Add this to the fact that while in the general population, the overall rate of marriage has dropped 17%, while in comparison the rate of marriage within the Black community has fallen by 34% in the last two decades. So the question that begs to be asked is:
What happened to the state of the black union?
Many people have chosen a side in this debate. A major argument being that there is a “a lack of good black men”: stemming from either incarceration, homosexuality [more specifically because of the down low phenomenon], lack of employment, education, or the always troublesome “baby mama.”
While in response others have cited unattainable standards that have been set forth by Black Women.
If anyone has seen former TLC member Chili’s new show “What Chili Wants,” its hard to argue with this line of logic after hearing her recite her now infamous “list.” Which stipulates that any man she dates:
cannot eat pork
shall not smoke or drink
must be physically fit, i.e. have “a 4-pack or better”
financially well off
God fearing
extremely attractive
Couple all of these prerequisites with the fact that she also mandated that her Mystery Man “have a large __” [use your imagination], and one can easily reach the conclusion that one of her friends did. She should “Date Jesus.”
I found it odd that no mention was made of education, or of traits like honesty, loyalty, or even a sense of humor.
Perhaps the blame lies upon the doorstep of both parties. While we can certainly state the flaws that abound within the community of Black males in America, I can’t help but wonder if not wanting to “settle”… has evolved into women setting standards that are so unbelievably unattainable that no man reaches the plateau, thus is thrown into the “not husband worthy” pile.
Being bi-racial myself I must also ask: Why limit yourself to just one race? Finding a mate is hard enough without limiting the pool in which you seek.
I ran across this while browsing the net this morning. It’s funny how humor can be a catalyst for self-introspection.
THE HUSBAND STORE:
A store has opened that will offer free husbands. When women go to choose a husband, they have to follow the instructions at the entrance:
“You may visit this store ONLY ONCE! There are 6 floors to choose from. You may choose any item from a particular floor, or may choose to go up to the next floor, but you CANNOT go back down except to exit the building!
So, a woman goes to the store to find a husband.
On the 1st floor the sign on the door reads: Floor 1 – These men Have Jobs
The 2nd floor sign reads: Floor 2 – These men Have Jobs and Love Kids.
The 3rd floor sign reads: Floor 3 – These men Have Jobs, Love Kids and are extremely Good Looking.
“Wow,” she thinks, but feels compelled to keep going. She goes to the 4th floor and sign reads:
Floor 4 – These men Have Jobs, Love Kids, are Drop-dead Good Looking and Help With Housework.
“Oh, mercy me!” she exclaims. “I can hardly stand it!” Still, she goes to the 5th floor and sign reads:
Floor 5 – These men Have Jobs, Love Kids, are Drop-dead Gorgeous, help with Housework and Have a Strong Romantic Streak.
She is so tempted to stay, but she goes to the 6th floor and the Sign reads:
Floor 6 – There are no men on this floor. This floor exists solely as proof that you are impossible to please. You are now a member of the 42% of black women who will never marry who have also visited this floor.
Thank you for shopping at the Husband Store.
The fact that it is still possible to count on one hand the amount of times that a Black actress has won an Oscar is unsettling.
The rallying cry that is often raised within the Black community after major accomplishments is a testament to the divide that quietly lies between Black, and White America. From the presidency, to the Oscars, minorities tend to view achievements as a win for us all. A small victory, against the pervasive inequality that has persevered in so many facets of American culture. The fact that we still have the ability to celebrate “Black Firsts,” be it the first African-American President, or the first African-American Oscar win is deplorable; for if the doors had never been held closed one would have no reason for celebrating when another cracks open.
While actress Mo’Nique’s win was definitely well deserved, it must also be noted that the list of Black women who have won an Oscar for the Best Actress in a Leading Role consists only of Halle Berry. Yes, who could forget her infamous interracial love scene in “Monster’s Ball.” Moreover; in joining the Best Supporting Actress list, Mo’Nique has only brought the total up to four, and one must not forget that the first to enter the ranks was Hattie McDaniel..for her “Mammy” portrayal.
Yes, it took a role as the epitome of a stereotypical southern myth to garner the first Best Supporting Actress Oscar for a Black Woman.
While many have taken on the stance that the actual win should overshadow the means in which it was one, the question one must also ask is “Why is recognition seemingly only given for roles that personify stereotypes?”
Was Denezel Washington really more poignant as a dirty officer in Training Day, than in his portrayal as slain Civil Rights activist Malcolm X?
Yes, we are still upset about that.
Well…I suppose it could be worse, at least the whole blackface era is over.
There seems to be a level of denial that is sweeping the nation.
THE HUSBAND STORE:
Oscar Grant: Revisited
UPDATE: I originally published this in 2009 directly after this event occured. To date the officer in question was convicted and has since been released after serving less than a year in a Los Angeles prison. It has been noted that Michael Vick served more time for the death of an animal, than this officer served for the death of a man. He has already received job offers. #PureFuckery
On New Year’s Day the city of Oakland, California was once again reminded of why it holds the dubious title of the 5th Most Dangerous City in America. However; while many may be quick to write it off as another infamous example of the much hyped “Black on Black” crime, it must be noted that this is not the case. The victim, 22 year old Oscar Grant, was murdered by a police officer. Considering a new study has found that 98% of emergency room doctors suspect that some of their patients have been subject to police brutality, yet less than half of that report it. It makes one wonder just how many more “Oscars” have suffered the same fate.
In the early morning hours of the New Year a fight broke out on a BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit, i.e. the Bay Area’s version of a subway) train bound for Dublin. After arriving on the scene, police grabbed individuals off at the Fruitvale station in order to calm the situation down and obtain the full story of what had actually occured. Reports differ as to whether or not the right people were apprehended, but needless to say Oscar Grant was among the group that was detained. Laid face down on the pavement with his hands handcuffed behind, a friend and witness recalled how he implored for his safety, referring to the fact that he was the father of a 4-yr-old little girl. Moments later he was shot two times in the back as a police officer, (later identifed as Johannes Mehserle) stood over him.
Grant would later die as a result of his injuries.
To date the officer has resigned, but has gone under police protection and has refused to talk about the incident; and no charges have been made.
Amazingly, it was all caught on tape.
My purpose of this is to implore the youth to take a stand. I myself feel a personal connection because this occured in my hometown, yet as I type this from Houston, many here can recall yet another recent display of police brutality that occured in Bellaire. Though rioting, as they did in my hometown last night, may not be the answer; something must be done. We are often written off as the apathetic generation..this is our chance to prove them wrong. I find it odd that outside of the Bay Area no national media coverage has been issued, thus I implore you, if nothing else, to get the word out.