tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1752646546511186140.post7414558719114326247..comments2023-08-23T03:51:55.709-05:00Comments on Muslim Bushido: Machiavelli's "The Prince" Versus Pres. Obama's "Team of Rivals" CabinetUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1752646546511186140.post-60137359068593892252009-07-24T22:16:01.275-05:002009-07-24T22:16:01.275-05:00SisterSeeking/Miriam,
Wa Alaikum As Salaam!
Yes,...SisterSeeking/Miriam,<br /><br />Wa Alaikum As Salaam!<br /><br />Yes, Machiavelli's <em>The Prince</em> is VERY instructive in analyzing the true nature of these situations. <br /><br />Peace, blessings and solidarity.Khadijahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07732325133964607276noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1752646546511186140.post-19618424673797970382009-07-24T20:59:52.339-05:002009-07-24T20:59:52.339-05:00Salaam'Alaikum Khadija
Sister... I was thinki...Salaam'Alaikum Khadija<br /><br />Sister... I was thinking about this post of yours today as I've watched the fall out from President Obama's comments about the Prof. Gate's incident.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1752646546511186140.post-76603592926366221342009-02-14T21:41:00.000-06:002009-02-14T21:41:00.000-06:00Hello there, Aabaakawad!My parents requiring me to...Hello there, Aabaakawad!<BR/><BR/>My parents requiring me to take typing in high school has come in handy over the years. LOL! [They didn't want me to have to pay folks to type my papers in college.]<BR/><BR/>Peace and blessings.Khadijahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07732325133964607276noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1752646546511186140.post-61604895207491568802009-02-14T21:16:00.000-06:002009-02-14T21:16:00.000-06:00Khadija,My gosh u type fast. I am envious.I seem t...Khadija,<BR/><BR/>My gosh u type fast. I am envious.<BR/><BR/>I seem to be partially redeemed.<BR/><BR/>I am not Jewish, but my two best friends in college were. One was President of Hillel. I did discuss all of those subjects with them, and I sometimes disagreed with one or both of them. However, they were interested in my opinion.<BR/><BR/>But of course you are correct, since I could only do this because we three were a very tight group with complete trust. I think I now have a comfortable understanding now why my opinion of the Moynihan report does not belong here.<BR/><BR/>You have stated:<BR/><BR/><I>If you don't go around telling Jews who they should or should not consider Jewish, then it's not appropriate for you to try to define membership in OUR group.</I><BR/><BR/>Well of course. Was that aimed at me. Or just part of general instructions to non-AA participants. Am I being thick and missing something?<BR/><BR/>Wishing you progress,<BR/><BR/> --- AabaakawadEubie Drewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14084893415285960551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1752646546511186140.post-56721541887515845352009-02-14T20:23:00.000-06:002009-02-14T20:23:00.000-06:00Hello there, Aabaakawad!I'm delighted to see from ...Hello there, Aabaakawad!<BR/><BR/>I'm delighted to see from your thoughtful reply that I didn't make a mistake by taking your original question seriously. It's good to see that you don't appear to be a game-playing troll.<BR/><BR/><STRONG>Let me make this clear to you and any other non-Black readers: You are welcome to participate within certain boundaries. <BR/><BR/>To skip forward [I'll explain in detail later in this reply]: <EM>You are welcome to participate using the same respectful, self-editing that you probably use when discussing Jewish issues with Jewish people.</EM> [That is, assuming that you are not Jewish yourself.]</STRONG><BR/><BR/>You are perfectly welcome to comment, and participate as long as it's NOT an effort to TELL us how we should think about racial matters that pertain to US. This is not a forum to debate with non-Blacks about OUR business. You are welcome to ask questions, as you have done. You are welcome to ask for clarification of why a commenter believes as they do. <BR/><BR/>Be aware that nobody is under any obligation to invest time in answering questions from outsiders. Readers are free to do so if they wish. They are free not to do so. I'll do it if I'm in the mood (LOL!), but keep in mind that educating non-Blacks is not my mission profile for this blog.<BR/><BR/>The problem that often occurs with non-Blacks jumping into many of these Black blog discussions is that it becomes a form of dominance. Many Whites feel perfectly comfortable telling us about OUR experiences. And telling us how we "should" perceive OUR experiences regarding racial matters.<BR/><BR/>This is disrespectful and unhelpful. <BR/><BR/><STRONG>I would suggest the following thought experiment:</STRONG><BR/><BR/>If you are not Jewish, have you <EM>ever</EM> questioned or debated with Jews about THEIR perceptions of matters related to their Holocaust? [I'm <STRONG>not</STRONG> talking about debates/questions about Israeli/Zionist politics or policies, I'm talking about matters directly related to their Holocaust.]<BR/><BR/>If you are not Jewish, have you <EM>ever</EM> questioned or debated with them about how they choose to define membership in THEIR ethnic/relgious group? Have you <EM>ever</EM> questioned or debated with them about how they choose to interpret the behavior of children from religiously mixed marriages?<BR/><BR/>People take liberties with AAs' concerns and sensibilities that they would never think to do with others.<BR/><BR/><STRONG>So here's a quick guide for outsiders' boundaries here: If you wouldn't do it, say it, or challenge it regarding Jewish people, it's probably equally inappropriate to do it, etc. with us.<BR/><BR/>If you don't go around telling Jews who they should or should not consider Jewish, then it's not appropriate for you to try to define membership in OUR group.<BR/><BR/>If you don't go around telling Jews that they shouldn't be offended by actions and statements they perceive to be anti-Semitic, then it's not appropriate for you to try to give us lectures about what we should or should not perceive as racist.</STRONG><BR/><BR/>LOTS of people seem to be able to figure this out when it comes to other people's sensibilities. Folks can figure it out when it comes to us as well. It's not that hard. However, part of the problem is that most "mixed company" discussions surrounding race tend to be dishonest. Another part of the problem is the AAs tend not to enforce boundaries. There are boundaries here.<BR/><BR/>Peace and blessings,<BR/>KhadijaKhadijahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07732325133964607276noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1752646546511186140.post-56971593244615713472009-02-14T19:36:00.000-06:002009-02-14T19:36:00.000-06:00Khadija,Thank you for your careful and detailed re...Khadija,<BR/><BR/>Thank you for your careful and detailed response to my query. My missteps may have provided a teachable moment. This blog is not about entertainment for me either.<BR/><BR/>Regard <I>this</I> as personal communication or blog comment, as you choose. But I hope this last comment is allowed before I fade away, so that at least I can protect my reputation as a sincere participant on certain IR blogs run by your colleagues, where wm are explicitly welcome. I will better research where my input is accepted after this. I am very new to blogging.<BR/><BR/>I am sorry about the poor choice of the word sympathetic. I meant it to indicate I agree with your outlook. It was a poor choice to submit a comment thru a smartphone in the wee hours.<BR/><BR/>I will remain as a silent voyeur as u suggest. The very reason I asked my question was to understand the boundaries.<BR/><BR/>Although I do not have a place in this blog, I feel no embarrassment in being interested. I date within and outside my race with intentions of finding a LTR, likely marriage. Understanding the territory is essential for interacting without causing pain.<BR/><BR/>After posting, I realized my salutation laid it on too thick. Sorry. But I do regard u as a teacher, along with also being someone learning from others, because I have learned a lot, and I am sure many others feel this way too.<BR/><BR/>I placed a comment as a prelude to weighing in on the disagreement over the legitamacy of wp and multi-racial people in the outside world, as opposed to the blog world, pointing out or describing publicly the demonry in the bc. I was NOT going to do a critique of behavior, or to shame anyone, but a defense of the legitimacy of outside-the-group analysis in the real world. Rereading my comment, I totally blew it in framing this.<BR/><BR/>Specifically I was going to support Felicia in the following exchange, but I will refrain from comment:<BR/><BR/>Felicia said:<BR/><BR/><I>Daniel Patrick Moynihan also told the truth but was dissed because he was white.</I><BR/><BR/>and Felicia supplied this link:<BR/><BR/><I><A HREF="http://www.news.harvard.edu/gazette/2007/10.04/01-moynihan.html" REL="nofollow"> Four decades later, scholars re-examine Moynihan Report </A></I><BR/><BR/>[That link is a wonderful summary of the history of that report and the evolving reaction to it.]<BR/><BR/>to which Khadija objected:<BR/><BR/><I>In terms of Moynihan, I also refuse to meekly submit to a humiliating tongue-lashing from some non-Black.</I><BR/><BR/>to which Felicia replied<BR/><BR/><I>IMO if someone isn't personally attributing to a social problem, they shouldn't feel any humiliation or feel scolded at all if an obvious problem is pointed out. Whether the observation is being made by someone inside of the American "black community" - and judging from some of the atrocities happening in heavily black under-class areas one would be hard pressed to call them communities - or outside of it.</I><BR/><BR/>Khadija, I really am grateful for what u r doing, and I am sorry for the disruption.<BR/><BR/> --- AabaakawadEubie Drewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14084893415285960551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1752646546511186140.post-26453299871031380342009-02-14T13:41:00.000-06:002009-02-14T13:41:00.000-06:00Greetings, Aabaakawad!First of all, thank you--but...Greetings, Aabaakawad!<BR/><BR/>First of all, thank you--but I'm <EM>NOT</EM> a teacher or guru of any sort. I'm just hosting the conversations here. I learn from listening to the participants.<BR/><BR/>After some reflection, I've decided to take your comment at face value, and respond accordingly. As you know, there are a lot of time-wasting, game-playing trolls, but I decided to err on the side that maybe you are sincere about your question.<BR/><BR/>You said, <EM>"Small question concerning what my role participating in this blog:<BR/>As a sympathetic older white man, where can I go and where can't I go in challenging others' views. This can clearly be tricky. I may appear to be a "duck". Ex: the controversial, but I believe sincere & appropriate, analysis in that ancient P. Moynihan report.<BR/><BR/>Can I be appreciated as a legit source of criticism? Or would that be damaging to the goals of this blog? -- Should the deconstruction be left to bw, because then it may heard as supportive?"</EM><BR/><BR/><STRONG>Response:</STRONG> I don't like voyeurs. By "voyeurs," I mean people who do NOT have a stake in the issues under discussion. So their participation is simply a matter of personal entertainment. <BR/><BR/>I don't like this because this sort of behavior is disrespectful of the gravity of the issues under discussion. I'm not running a gossip blog. This is about uplifting spirits, and helping people to change their lives for the better. Lives are literally at stake concerning the issues under discussion here.<BR/><BR/>This blog is not about entertainment for me. I don't mind if people <EM>read</EM> this blog as entertainment. But I DO mind if people <EM>participate</EM> in these conversations for personal entertainment. If I see that somebody is playing games, then they're out of here. <BR/><BR/>I would also not look favorably upon your wish to intrude upon conversations that don't pertain to you. What's <EM>that</EM> about? <BR/><BR/>Why would you want to come here to (I take it from your Moynihan reference) quibble with us? Don't you know any Black folks in your personal life that you can bounce your ideas off of? If not, then this is yet another reason to be suspicious of your motives.<BR/><BR/>Just because you claim (and believe yourself) to be "sympathetic" doesn't mean that you actually are. Furthermore, I'm not looking for "sympathy" from anybody. For you to even conceive of the situation in those terms is paternalistic and patronizing.<BR/><BR/>I'm interested in JUSTICE. I support anybody who supports JUSTICE.<BR/><BR/>There are some blogs where I function as a SILENT voyeur. For example, gay and lesbian blogs. I enjoy Pam Spaulding's and Jasmyne Cannick's blogs. [They are Black lesbians.] I also enjoy "Living Out Loud With Darian." [He's a Black gay man.]<BR/><BR/><STRONG>I read those blogs so that I (as a straight woman) can learn how to become a better ally in their pursuit of justice for themselves. I am not "sympathetic" to gays and lesbians. Who am I to presume that they would want or need my "sympathy"? I support JUSTICE for gays and lesbians. I read and LISTEN so that I can learn how to be more effective in my efforts to support justice for them.</STRONG> <BR/><BR/>I don't comment at those blogs because I feel that doing so would be presumptuous of me. I don't intrude upon their conversations. I disagree with some of the viewpoints expressed by the participants at these blogs. But that doesn't matter. I go there to listen and learn, not to lecture or debate with gays and lesbians about THEIR understanding of THEIR concerns. I would suggest that you do the same when it comes to conversations here.<BR/><BR/>Peace and blessings.Khadijahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07732325133964607276noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1752646546511186140.post-76816183892139902272009-02-14T05:24:00.000-06:002009-02-14T05:24:00.000-06:00Respected Teacher Khadija,Small question concernin...Respected Teacher Khadija,<BR/><BR/>Small question concerning what my role participating in this blog:<BR/>As a sympathetic older white man, where can I go and where can't I go in challenging others' views. This can clearly be tricky. I may appear to be a "duck". Ex: the controversial, but I believe sincere & appropriate, analysis in that ancient P. Moynihan report.<BR/><BR/>Can I be appreciated as a legit source of criticism? Or would that be damaging to the goals of this blog? -- Should the deconstruction be left to bw, because then it may heard as supportive?<BR/><BR/>Wishing Y'all Progress,<BR/><BR/> --- AabaakawadEubie Drewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14084893415285960551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1752646546511186140.post-5392423477850541182009-02-12T23:02:00.000-06:002009-02-12T23:02:00.000-06:00Hello there, Felicia!Thank you so much for your ki...Hello there, Felicia!<BR/><BR/>Thank you so much for your kind words about the blog! And thank you for being an active participant in this think tank. I truly appreciate the contribution that you've made to this and other conversations.<BR/>___________________<BR/><BR/>Greetings, Lorraine!<BR/><BR/>Thank you for your kind words about the post. I truly appreciate it. I have also enjoyed this discussion. I always learn from listening to the reader-participants.<BR/><BR/>You said, <EM>"Even King David as a general felt he had to keep in enemies close (1 Samuel 26:1-13)so that may be smart on his part."</EM><BR/><BR/>Thank you for the scripture citation. I like it when people cite to specific materials, so I can quickly look at it for myself. I'll have to sit down and read up on the Bible passage you cited.<BR/><BR/>Peace, blessings and solidarity.Khadijahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07732325133964607276noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1752646546511186140.post-86606371886697519012009-02-12T18:41:00.000-06:002009-02-12T18:41:00.000-06:00I have thoroughly enjoyed this post (as usual) exc...I have thoroughly enjoyed this post (as usual) exchange of ideas and opinions. I agree with some and disagree with some but understand that we for the most part are civil and respectful. I value many of the opinions here and can take something from most of them.<BR/><BR/>I had not given much thought to those with whom Pres. Obama had surrounded himself, but note that many are Clinton transplants. Even King David as a general felt he had to keep in enemies close (1 Samuel 26:1-13)so that may be smart on his part. Pres. Obama is in a predicament and from what I can see, it is all trial and error. I appreciate the unique situation in which he finds himself but am willing to give him a chance and see where it goes. I don't like much of what I see already, but I don't understand his strategies. I don't think I would embrace my enemies but politics is a skillful art within itself.<BR/><BR/>Good post.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1752646546511186140.post-7286349346501226952009-02-12T17:52:00.001-06:002009-02-12T17:52:00.001-06:00Felicia, please don't take this like this is about...Felicia, please don't take this like this is about you or directed at you. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I respect and value the work that you have been doing on behalf of BW.<BR/><BR/><B>I don't take it personally Khadija. I THANK you - and ALL of the other BW empowerment bloggers whether IR focused or not - for providing these forums where we can express ourselves. Whether we agree on certain points, and fully understand each or or not. You, Evia, Lisa, Halima, Sara, CW, WAOD, (and those I've forgotten to mention) ALL of ya'll are doing such a PUBLIC SERVICE.<BR/><BR/>And I agree with your advice to BW who feel personally and specifically abused and tormented by the current status quo.<BR/><BR/>BW DO know when they're being hated on and being devalued, based solely on how far away they are physically from a racist Aryan "ideal". <BR/><BR/>This MUST be resisted. It must be fought. Because it is wrong. Evil like you said.<BR/><BR/>And it's wonderful that there are BW who although they themselves may not be personally receiving the brunt of the madness, are willing to call that mess out.<BR/><BR/>Because it ultimately harms ALL of us. Regardless of our complexion, features, hair texture, yada yada...<BR/><BR/>If that was a rant, it was a good one.<BR/><BR/>Peace, blessings, and I wish everyone a wonderful upcoming weekend.<BR/><BR/>Felicia</B>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1752646546511186140.post-64520350158397809232009-02-12T17:52:00.000-06:002009-02-12T17:52:00.000-06:00Hello there, Lisa!In responding to Hagar's Daughte...Hello there, Lisa!<BR/><BR/>In responding to Hagar's Daughter, you said: <EM>"I find that if anyone is offering any critical thinking about the Obama administration, then black folks start raising accusations of "oh you must be jealous of the Obamas".... and that's third grade thinking...<BR/><BR/>In the third grade, if any child on the playground said anything that was not complimentary, everyone assumed that jealousy was at the root of the comment...<BR/><BR/>Well...now we have adults using this same remedial thinking...as if critical thinking is SOOO FOREIGN to them."</EM><BR/><BR/>In your most recent comment, you said <EM>"I think we need to make a clear distinction between what constitutes pattern recognition and what constitutes operating with blanket generalizations based on a total lack of exposure to other class tiers and the social landscape of other cultures."</EM><BR/><BR/>Guurl, you've said a mouthful that folks need to contemplate. These faulty assumptions apply across the board.<BR/><BR/>As you noted, many believe that if somebody criticizes the Obama-ssiah and/or Wife of Obama-ssiah, then they must be "hating" on them. <BR/><BR/>Although...I, for one, really DO dislike what I've seen of them. But that's not why I'm critical of the Obama-ssiah. This isn't 4th grade; and I'm not looking to make friends with them. <BR/><BR/>I'm concerned about the harm that Crossover Negro Politicians have done, and are doing, to the AA collective. I'm also concerned about the harm that AAs' idol worship of the Obamas is doing to the AA collective.<BR/><BR/>Another thing is that Obama-ssiah worshippers have managed to intimidate most Black "heretics" into silence. I refuse to be silenced. Not now. Not ever. NO.<BR/><BR/>Many believe that if you speak the truth about the activities and harm caused by DBRbm, then you must hate BM in general.<BR/><BR/>Although, as I have noted in past comments, some Black people who speak these truths about AA dysfunction really DO hate Black people in general. And really DO worship non-Blacks. Shades of the Uncle Ruckus character from Boondocks.<BR/><BR/>Many believe that if you are not just thrilled about the lifting up of Cablanasians, Biracials, and Multiculturals, then you must be part of the Acting Black Crew. Although, some Black people who refuse to lift up and swoon over biracials, etc. really ARE part of the Acting Black Crew.<BR/><BR/>Many believe that if a Black person is critical of AA dysfunction, then they must be a "tom." Although, many such Black critics ARE toms.<BR/><BR/><STRONG>True pattern recognition leaves room for recognizing nuances. However, pattern recognition does NOT invent nuances where there are none.</STRONG><BR/><BR/>Folks need to weigh their views of our people's circumstances for themselves. And decide where they are most comfortable risking being in error. <BR/><BR/>I choose to err on the side of protecting those who are the most devalued, exploited, and oppressed: <STRONG>BLACK</STRONG> women and girls. NOT Cablanasian, biracial, bicultural, multicultural, etc. women and girls. <BR/><BR/>[Especially since most such persons I've encountered have been simply an extra set of people exploiting and devaluing BLACK people. ("Hair-flippers.")]<BR/><BR/>If I'm in a situation where I have to prioritize among BW and girls, then I'm going to err on the side of protecting dark-skinned BW and girls. These are the women and girls who are subjected to the brunt of the colorist madness.<BR/><BR/>I'll be blunt: This is the time for everyone to Get Their Minds Right! And purge their minds of all sorts of remedial and confused thinking. I believe that the economy is going to go COMPLETELY belly-up by this summer. I believe that this 2nd Great Depression will last around 10 YEARS. There's just no more time left for magical thinking. Of any kind.<BR/><BR/>Peace, blessings and solidarity.Khadijahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07732325133964607276noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1752646546511186140.post-35620275963239655232009-02-12T15:53:00.000-06:002009-02-12T15:53:00.000-06:00Hi again Khadija!I wanted to add something about o...Hi again Khadija!<BR/><BR/>I wanted to add something about our "agree to disagree" point about pattern recognition...you have an entirely different reasoning process than those who THINK they are applying "pattern recognition" analysis who are actually applying <B>typecasting</B> and <B>blanket generalizations</B>.<BR/><BR/>There are many women who we have been in conversations with online (and offline) who are still using 4th grade reasoning skills to navigate the social dynamics that impact our survival.<BR/><BR/>I listen to plenty of blanket generalizations that are based on what Big Mama said and based on what aunty said...women who <B>NEVER EVEN LEFT</B> the all-black construct except to work in environments where they were not equals.<BR/><BR/>This is why so many of these women are scratching their heads when the mechanics of dominance strategy are entering into group conversations at my blog.<BR/><BR/>This is why I often challenge that level of thinking....because too often...it is rooted in a lack of exposure to <B>ANYTHING</B> outside of the all-black construct of interpreting people and groups of people.<BR/><BR/>I think we need to make a clear distinction between what constitutes <B>pattern recognition</B> and what constitutes operating with blanket generalizations based on a total lack of exposure to other class tiers and the social landscape of other cultures.<BR/><BR/>Peace, blessings and DUNAMIS!<BR/>LisaLISA VAZQUEZhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13583559303233985031noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1752646546511186140.post-58897429349235370512009-02-12T14:39:00.000-06:002009-02-12T14:39:00.000-06:00WARNING: I feel a MAJOR rant coming over me!I had ...<STRONG>WARNING: I feel a MAJOR rant coming over me!</STRONG><BR/><BR/>I had originally intended to let Felicia have the last word about our particular "agree to disagree" point in this exchange. But there's something else about this particular "agree to disagree" point that I find especially problematic:<BR/><BR/><STRONG>Too many of our people have an aversion to pattern recognition. I see this all the time with the Black underclass client population. I see this all the time with BW who allow themselves to be taken advantage of and abused by BM, their relatives, predatory "frenemies," etc.</STRONG><BR/><BR/>They don't seem to understand that if something looks like a duck, walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck; then it probably IS a duck.<BR/><BR/>They don't seem to understand that if something looks like exploitation, sounds like exploitation, and is compatible with exploitation; then it probably IS exploitation.<BR/><BR/>There are always arguments raised about how you really can't tell whether it is or not; and maybe this one situation is the exception, etc.<BR/><BR/>In terms of this particular "agree to disagree" point:<BR/><BR/>If a statement <EM>looks like</EM> our traditional self-hatred, <EM>sounds like</EM> our traditional self-hatred, and <EM>is compatible with</EM> our traditional self-hatred---then it probably IS self-hatred.<BR/><BR/>When those Black folks who feel compelled to defend Cablanasians, biracials etc. jump to their defense, their whole arguments often revolve around looking at Tiger Woods', Kimora Lee's and other such persons' statements and behavior as if there is NO historical precedent among us. <BR/><BR/>As if we did not live through paper bag tests. <BR/><BR/>As if we did not live through:<BR/><BR/><EM>"If you're White, you're right;<BR/>if you're yellow, you're mellow; if you're brown, stick around; if you're Black, get back!"</EM><BR/><BR/>In the wake of Ne-Yo, Yung Berg, and BET, one might say that we are STILL living through these things.<BR/><BR/>We ARE still living through these things! We just don't tell the truth about this. We've found new labels for this same old behavior.<BR/><BR/><STRONG>Felicia, please don't take this like this is about you or directed at you. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I respect and value the work that you have been doing on behalf of BW.</STRONG> For me, this issue isn't about you or anybody else in particular. Rev. Lisa and I have this same "agree to disagree" point. <BR/><BR/><STRONG>{voice rising as I mount my ill-repaired soapbox}</STRONG><BR/><BR/>For me, this is about an EVIL that I have watched grow and expand since high school. An EVIL that I learned to hate ever since I saw the damage that it has been doing to other Black women and girls.<BR/><BR/>I want to make it clear to any BW or girl who's self-worth is being battered RIGHT NOW due to the celebration and promotion (<EM>at her expense</EM>) of light-skinned, "biracial," "bicultural," "multicultural," "Cablanasian," etc. persons:<BR/><BR/>Don't let anybody trick you with lies about how they're just acknowledging all of who these people are!<BR/><BR/><STRONG>If you feel like you're being DEVALUED because you don't have non-Black ancestors that you can pull out of your pocket to "acknowledge";<BR/><BR/>If you feel like you're being DEVALUED because you don't <EM>look</EM> like you have some non-Black ancestors that you can "acknowledge";<BR/><BR/>Then you probably ARE being DEVALUED!<BR/><BR/>Don't let anybody run some Jedi Mind Trick on you about how "they didn't mean it how you took it." NO. Trust your instincts. Trust your feelings. Trust your own personal history and observations of these matters.<BR/><BR/>If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, JUST LIKE ALL THOSE OTHER DUCKS YOU'VE SEEN THROUGHOUT YOUR ENTIRE LIFE, then you are totally justified in calling it a duck.<BR/><BR/>And you are totally justified in saying "NO" to all of that! You have the RIGHT to reject all of that mess!</STRONG><BR/><BR/>Peace, blessings and solidarity.Khadijahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07732325133964607276noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1752646546511186140.post-85021471210688897602009-02-12T13:28:00.000-06:002009-02-12T13:28:00.000-06:00Anonymous Troll,Sure. Right. I suppose that though...Anonymous Troll,<BR/><BR/>Sure. Right. I suppose that thought must give you some (false) comfort. By all means, keep believing that . . . {chuckling}<BR/><BR/>Goodbye.<BR/>___________________<BR/><BR/>Ladies,<BR/><BR/>See how worried <EM>many</EM> folks are that more BW might just wake up and start acting in their own bests interests?<BR/><BR/>Every once in a while, it's good for the audience to see some of the madness that I routinely delete.<BR/><BR/>Onward and forward to abundant life for all BW and girls!Khadijahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07732325133964607276noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1752646546511186140.post-55493407774437861882009-02-12T12:26:00.000-06:002009-02-12T12:26:00.000-06:00Hello there, Felicia!Again, we agree to disagree. ...Hello there, Felicia!<BR/><BR/>Again, we agree to disagree. I suspect that your definition of "coming to terms with mixed ancestry" is NOT at all my definition of it.<BR/><BR/><B>Hey there Khadija!<BR/><BR/>Everyone is going to naturally have their own definition of coming to terms with mixed ancestry.<BR/><BR/>I wouldn't expect your definition to be like mine. Differences when it comes to all issues can be and should be expected.</B><BR/><BR/>I know that AAs (especially myself) are of "mixed" ancestry. I see that every morning when looking in the mirror. HOWEVER, I'm not a person who has any interest in playing up the White rapists or other non-Blacks in my family tree. I'm not interested in emphasizing how genetically "different" I am from Africans. <BR/><BR/><B>Acceptance doesn't have to have anything to do with playing up white rapist and other non-blacks. PLUS, NOT all European input was a result of rape. There were common law marriages - and before anti-miscegenation laws went national - legal marriages across the color-line. Not every white man (or white woman for that matter) in ones genetic tree was a rapist. MANY indeed were but they don't account for ALL of the input. <BR/><BR/>There are African-Americans who in addition to obviously knowing of their black ancestors, also know of their white/and or Native-American ancestors (Grand/Great Grand, etc... parent) and also know they weren't rapists.<BR/><BR/>Plus, many - especially these days - young black folks ARE the result of black rapists. Many fathers (sperm donors) of these unwanted/unplanned innocent babies that these teenaged - and sometimes not even teen-aged SMH - black girls are giving birth to across this nation are grown damaged black men.<BR/><BR/>Of course you don't have to be interested in how genetically different you are from Africans.<BR/><BR/>My ONLY reason for even broaching this topic is because some AA's (I'm not accusing you of this) make such a point to emphasize how supposedly "different" "racially speaking" Obama is from them. When he's not.<BR/><BR/>That was my only point.<BR/><BR/>And you've made it clear that your issue with Obama is more culture. The fact that he's not from the AA ethnic group. I'm only refering to those other AA's I've read about who talk about how different racially speaking he is.</B><BR/><BR/>I'm not the type of AA who glories in emphasizing that they are 1/32 Irish, 1/17 Cherokee, and 1/42 Martian (if they could claim Martian ancestry). Who glories in emphasizing anything that is NOT Black about their ancestry.<BR/><BR/><B>Just because an AA acknowledges their full background - especially if it's personally known about and proven - doesn't mean that they're necessarily taking "glory" in something. There's a difference in a simple truthful acknowledgement and acting as if their better than someone else because of it. Those are two different things.</B><BR/><BR/>What really turns me off about the way you're framing this "mixture" issue is that it too easily accomodates AAs' LONG HISTORY of programmed ethnic self-hatred. I've heard plenty of self-hating AAs talk that same formula about how they're just acknowledging all of their heritage, yadda, yadda, yadda.<BR/><BR/><B>It is presumptuous to automatically assume that one's public acknowledgment of one's known heritage is case of self-hatred. It may be, but then again it may not be.<BR/><BR/>Each individual case is different.</B><BR/><BR/>This is not what's motivating their quest to claim as much non-Blackness as possible. <BR/><BR/><B>Your opinion and you're entitled to it. Sometimes there is a negative ulterior motive involved and sometimes there isn't.</B><BR/><BR/>Incidentally, it's not just self-hating AAs who do this. I've watched many self-hating Mexicans [who were physically Indians with very, very little visible White admixture] feverishly claim as much Whiteness as possible.<BR/><BR/>Both AAs and Mexican mestizos are the product of White men's sexual conquests among the people they defeated.<BR/><BR/>This trait of wanting to claim as much genetic affinity as possible with one's conquerors is a common trait among conquered people.<BR/><BR/>I also have no interest in claiming to be the same as Africans. AAs are not the same as continental Africans. We are our own separate ethnic group. I'm not the sort of AA who is groveling before continental Africans looking for validation from them, either.<BR/><BR/>My bottom line is that I believe in ethnic self-respect for AAs. The same way OTHER ethnic groups believe in self-respect for THEIR OWN group.<BR/><BR/><B>My bottom line is claiming ones full heritage doesn't necessarily have to be a sign of self-hate. <BR/><BR/>It may be and then again it may not be. <BR/><BR/>Your opinions and outlook are understandably important and completely legitimate to you and I would imagine give you a sense of wholeness. These are your truths (your feeling regarding the "real" reason some people don't claim a 100% black/African-American identity) that you're expressing.<BR/><BR/>We all have truths. I have mine, you have yours, there are as many truths as there are people.<BR/><BR/>It would be boring (and dishonest) if everyone spouted the same party line. <BR/><BR/>Because we don't all think alike. Which is perfectly fine.<BR/><BR/>We will continue to agree to disagree on a number of different topics and points as you stated at the beginning of your comment.<BR/><BR/>It's been a GOOD exchange.<BR/><BR/>Peace, blessings and solidarity.<BR/><BR/>Felicia</B>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1752646546511186140.post-31390788398260508062009-02-12T12:19:00.000-06:002009-02-12T12:19:00.000-06:00You guys may not be the same person do please tell...You guys may not be the same person do please tell "Sara" that I am aware that she IS "Harry Potter" the so-called "average white guy" of the "White Women Suck!" blog...<BR/><BR/>Thanks, guys!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1752646546511186140.post-64764338345336524912009-02-12T11:53:00.000-06:002009-02-12T11:53:00.000-06:00Hello there, Evia!But I hear that we are the same ...Hello there, Evia!<BR/><BR/>But I hear that we <EM>are</EM> the same person. Along with many other aliases! Shhh!{whispering---don't tell on "us"}<BR/><BR/>{chuckling}<BR/><BR/>Peace, blessings and solidarity.Khadijahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07732325133964607276noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1752646546511186140.post-8036451867174982902009-02-12T11:48:00.000-06:002009-02-12T11:48:00.000-06:00Hello there, Evia!We agree to disagree.Khadija, we...<I>Hello there, Evia!<BR/>We agree to disagree.</I><BR/><BR/>Khadija, we'd have to be the same person if we never disagreed and we certainly don't want anyone thinking that you and I are the same person. LOL!<BR/><BR/>Your perspective on this is one that I'll have to think about more and I appreciate people who can give me other perspectives to think about. Even if I don't ever agree with their perspective, it usually causes my mind to spin off in a way that enriches me.Eviahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06606364424958560351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1752646546511186140.post-75475218745758475762009-02-12T08:57:00.000-06:002009-02-12T08:57:00.000-06:00Below is an excerpt from the blog I was refering t...<B>Below is an excerpt from the blog I was refering to regarding AA's mixed ancestry. And the inability of many AA's to come to terms with it. Interesting videos related to this topic can also be found at this link...<BR/><BR/>Felicia</B><BR/><BR/>http://evolvingslices.typepad.com/9_<BR/>black_female_interracia/<BR/><BR/><I>So, folks do need to ponder this one. Bw-wm relationships are NOT actually interracial at all as you pointed out. Aside from the fact that all humans came from the same ancestor, most AAs can look at their family members and see right away that we are not "full-blooded" Africans (whatever that means). Most Africans that I encountered in Africa and here looked at me and right away knew I wasn't a "full-blooded" African. They considered me "mixed," which initially surprised me since "mixed" in this country means that you're "biracial." When I pointed this out to Africans, they couldn't understand why I was splitting hairs. LOL!! They can't understand why so many AAs get into debates about whether we're 50% mixed with whites and/or Indians vs 33% vs 11% or 2%. They absolutely can't understand that and neither can many AAs deal with their need to split hairs about their undeniable bloodline.<BR/><BR/>As long as no one tries to trumpet the superiority of one bloodline over the other, I totally support anyone acknowledging ALL of their ancestry. There is no superior bloodline; there are NO superior GROUPS of people; there are simply large groups of people who have adopted ways that have enabled them to survive and thrive better or compete for vital resources better than others. We can ALL do this, as I constantly point out and urge bw to do.<BR/><BR/>Another thing is that we all know that if any AA person points out that they're mixed with white or even Indian, other AAs almost always ridicule them and accuse them of denying their African heritage. I had a girlfriend once who said she wanted to know more about her Scottish ancestry and black folks called her all kinds of foul names. SMH She didn't let them stop her though.<BR/><BR/>Of course, many continental Africans think we're insane about denying our white, Indian, and Asian heritage, especially when it's so apparent. LOL! This denial is a type of mental issue that many AAs have not dealt with successfully because many AAs are in denial about it and are therefore still unable to even talk about it rationally OR are prevented from talking about it openly by other AAs who can't talk about it themselves. I think that denial of any portion of heritage indicates something profoundly sad in that person's soul--a major wound. AAs need to just deal with this once and for all. But we know that many AAs are not able to talk openly about LOTS of internal issues. They magically think these issues will just go away or that whites will deal with these issues, or now they're pinning their hopes on President Obama.<BR/><BR/>However, I am not a magical thinker. I know that I, as an individual endowed by my Creator with free will AND much freedom (these days), am primarily responsible for resolving my issues. I can talk about any issue that I may have or even think I have because I want to resolve it and I know that refusing to talk about it--and deal with it--is harming me and most likely my children too.<BR/><BR/>Anyway, when I lived in Nigeria, the typical Nigerian assumed from my appearance that I was a Fulani and sometimes referred to me as the "Fulani" woman. Here's something I pulled from a site about the Fulani:<BR/><BR/>The origins of the Fulani people are highly disputed, some believe that they are of North African or Arabic origin, characterized by the lighter skin and straighter hair. Some Africans even refer to them as "white people". However, recent studies show that they descend from nomads from both North Africa and sub-Saharan Africa. The Fulani were the first group of people in West Africa to convert to Islam through jihads, or holy wars, and were able to take over much of West Africa and establish themselves not only as a religious group but also as a political and economical force.<BR/><BR/>My maternal grandmother is from SC and she was a very light-skinned woman with freckles and light eyes. I carry some of her skin shade, especially in the winter time--though I'm not nearly as light as she was. Whereas I've always known my family tree on my father's side for several generations back, I'm actually now engaged in finding my mother's family tree in SC, so I'll be digging through the records this year. This is another reason why I'm scaling down on my time on the site here.</I>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1752646546511186140.post-52144239015535364262009-02-12T08:03:00.000-06:002009-02-12T08:03:00.000-06:00Hmmm...this is beginning to feel like a repeat of ...<B>Hmmm...this is beginning to feel like a repeat of our earlier discussions about self-proclaimed biracials. I'm not going to rehash all of that. I'm not going to spend a lot of time going back and forth over these self-proclaimed biracials. We agree to disagree.</B><BR/><BR/>I not once mentioned self-proclaimed biracial people in my last post. What I did say is that many if not most African-American identified historical figures had biracial ancestry. None of them self-proclaimed as biracial. They identified as Negro/black just as Obama identifies as black/African-American. All I'm saying is a black politician with Obamas appearance and genetic make-up is nothing new. Yet many folks are acting like he is and is remarkable in some way. When there were MANY others like him "racially" speaking before. <BR/><BR/><B>I'm not very protective of self-proclaimed "biracials." I'm more worried about the fate of the non-"biracial," non-"multicultural," non-"exotic," AA person. I'm more worried about the fate of those AAs who have been (and continue to be) kicked to the bottom of the (racist and colorist) perceived social value index.</B><BR/><BR/>MOST AA people from the darkest "blue black" to the lightest "high-yella" are of multiracial ancestry. Evia has mentioned this before in a post. When she lived in Africa - if I'm not mistaken - she was addressed as either the American OR belonging to an African group with known ethnic/racial ties to Arabs.<BR/><BR/>The Africans could SEE that she was different then them and that she had non black admixture. I've been in similar situations with Africans, Hispanics and sometimes AA's and many others have as well. <BR/><BR/>Folks we consider - and consider themselves - unquestionable black in America would have their sanity immediately questioned in Africa, Europe, and Latin America. <BR/><BR/>Many African-Americans haven't come to terms with this fact of mixture.<BR/><BR/><B>You said, "Every black American didn't take it as a disrespectful tongue-lashing."<BR/><BR/>Who made the claim that "every Black American" took it as a disrespectful tongue-lashing? I never said anything like that. You're responding to things that I never said.</B><BR/><BR/>You're absolutely correct. You were speaking from your perspective. How you viewed it. You considered it those things.<BR/><BR/>This being your blog, the views expressed in it are yours. And there are obviously others who share your outlook. And those that view things differently.<BR/><BR/><B>I DO know that I was one of many AAs who were displeased, and took it as a disrespectful tongue-lashing meant to curry favor with White voters. <BR/><BR/>And I know that my displeasure with that speech was NOT based on some sort of BM protectionism. I defend the dignity of AA people. From anybody and everybody who would attack my people's dignity.</B><BR/><BR/>You've stated your POV well.<BR/><BR/><B>You said, "And just because black people (and half white or not Obama is considered black in America because of his appearance) may have different perceptions of situations that are occurring - and different solutions to how these problems may be fixed - doesn't mean that one side is more righteous or "authentically black" than the other."<BR/><BR/>"Relativity" in terms of my people's LIFE and DEATH interests only goes so far with me. For example, I reserve the right to say that individuals like Ward Connerly are NOT righteous, and are NOT working on behalf of Black interests. I reserve the right to describe Ward Connerly as the traitor (and internal enemy) that he is to AA interests.</B><BR/><BR/>That's right, it's America, we have freedom of speech, and we can all describe anyone any way we wish. <BR/><BR/><B>Also, it's like you're trying to twist this into some sort of "acting Black" discussion. I'm not talking about "acting Black." In Obama's case, I'm talking about him going out of his way to publicly tongue-lash AAs in order to curry White favor. I object to that.</B><BR/><BR/>I understand where you're coming from. You feel Obama tongue-lashed AAs and went out of his way to court the white vote. Since you feel that way you can't help but object to it.<BR/><BR/><B>When a Crossover Negro Politician, or a Negro Celebrity (Yung Berg, Ne-Yo, DL Hughley, etc.), or a Negro like Ward Connerly does something that I consider to be a slap in the face and a betrayal, I reserve the right to call BS on it.</B><BR/><BR/>Right. Everyone reserves the right to call BS on anything and anyone who they feel is a detriment. <BR/><BR/>Everyone, you, me, and everyone else reserves that right for themselves. No arguments here.<BR/><BR/><B>This has nothing to do with debates about so-called Black authenticity. In this case, it's about disrespect in order to suck up to White (racist) voters.</B><BR/><BR/>You feel that Obama disrespected AA's, with that Father's day speech. That's clear. And you feel that the whites he courted in order to get elected were most likely racist. Understood.<BR/><BR/><B>You said, "IMO if someone isn't personally attributing to a social problem, they shouldn't feel any humiliation or feel scolded at all if an obvious problem is pointed out.<BR/><BR/>...When people feel that someone's "calling their name" it's usually because they feel some emotional attachment to the issue."<BR/><BR/>This sounds a lot like the argument that Snoop Dogg and other hip-hop misogynists make: "If you're not a h** or a b****, then I'm not talking about you; and you shouldn't be offended when I refer to women by those terms in my 'music.'"</B><BR/><BR/>If that's what it honestly sounds like to you, then that's your perception.<BR/><BR/>It can't be stated enough that we all have very different perceptions, opinions, and viewpoints regarding any number of different issues.<BR/><BR/><B>You said, "Just because most black people may not want to hear or agree with what an individual black/biracial person says, doesn't mean that individual is necessarily wrong. Or right for that matter.<BR/><BR/>All I'm saying is that there are usually shades of gray. Yet people - and especially many black people - tend to think that everything is either black or white.<BR/><BR/>When most things are based purely on opinion." <BR/><BR/>Again, it sounds like you're responding to things that I didn't say. I've been talking about "shades of gray" recently.</B><BR/><BR/>That's true, the above statement had nothing to do with anything you've said. I was just making the point that usually there's a little bit of useful truth/sense on both sides of an issue. <BR/><BR/><B>You said, "Out of honest curiosity Khadija, which black politicians around now would you consider to be for those who you feel Obama - and those like him - are not representing?"<BR/><BR/>To answer your question, I can only speak about local politicians. Even though he truly annoys me with his speech patterns and mannerisms, I believe that Jesse Jackson, Jr. has been doing a good job for his district. My childhood neighborhood is in his district. I was displeased that his name was mixed up in Blagojevich's mess in any capacity. <BR/><BR/>A lot of local Whites hate on Jesse Jr. because of his father, and paint a caricature of him. He's NOT Jesse Sr. When you look at him over time, he's more of a technocrat sort of politician.<BR/><BR/>His wife became the Alderman in my parents' ward a few years back. I believe she has done a good job for her constituents. She's much more accessible and responsive to her constituents than the previous alderman. Especially considering the LONG years of outrageous neglect that the previous long-term machine Negro Alderman inflicted on that ward.<BR/><BR/>From what I can tell, various categories of constituents (elders AND local Black business owners, etc.) have been mostly pleased with both of them.</B><BR/><BR/>Thank you for answering my question. It does sound like Jesse Jackson Jr. and his wife are doing positive things. And you're right, he's not like his father which I consider a positive.<BR/><BR/>Peace and blessings to you.<BR/><BR/><B>Felicia</B>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1752646546511186140.post-51400958269397610622009-02-12T06:58:00.000-06:002009-02-12T06:58:00.000-06:00Khadija, re Obama lecturing bm, well this is my ta...Khadija, re Obama lecturing bm, well this is my take. For too long, too many AAs and others have kept quiet about the social PLAGUE in the so-called bc because they didn't want whites of ill-will toward blacks to rejoice. And it has reached the level of a "plague" when you look at the stats.<BR/><BR/>I know that lots of black folks deny that, but I'm not backing down.<BR/><BR/>Staying quiet as the plague gained momentum is what is largely responsible for a lot of the havoc of all types in the bc. So it is firmly rooted now. Black folks with common sense know that when they do speak out, they will either be attacked by other blacks or at the very least, they will not get support of other AAs. Those are other aspects of this plague. It's a plague that protects itself.<BR/><BR/>The few of us AAs left with common sense have got to be able to scream out about these destructive behavior patterns irrespective of who will rejoice and we must have the courage to do so without fear of being accused of trying to win points with whites or whoever else. Even if we're scared, we must still oppose this plague. We also should be heavily supported by other blacks and all well-meaning others when we do talk out about it. <BR/><BR/>So, IMO, it doesn't matter who is talking about the plague or their reasons for talking about it ***BECAUSE***it is helping AAs to know about exactly what is devouring us and how it presents itself. If not, this plague will continue to take out more bw and children. Since so many AAs have been gagged out of fear of being accused of helping 'whitey,' their common sense has withered and died from lack of use. LOL! <BR/><BR/>As you can imagine I've been skewered and roasted in the last few days for even mentioning Chris Brown's "alleged" attack on Rihanna. As usual, folks have written to accuse me of bashing bm and currying favor with white folks for the mere fact of saying that another bw was attacked by a DBRbm. SMH I don't get deterred by that because I know those folks are under the influence of the plague.<BR/><BR/>I don't want to bring that fiasco here, but this is similar to Obama's father's day speech to bm. IMO, it's not important whether his intent was to curry favor with whites; instead I'm thrilled that he said what he did because what he said may have caused some bm to step up and get more involved in their children's lives emotionally and financially. I'm sure those black children are happy about that. <BR/><BR/><B>Bm NEED to be told this over and over and over because OBVIOUSLY a lot of them do NOT know what a man's role is, yet they want to be treated with respect the way they see men from other groups being treated. Many AA men claim they behave irresponsibly because they never had role models to teach them how to behave. Where are the bm who are ***supposed*** to step up and teach these males how to be men? Where are they?</B> Yet when a high-profiled bm does it like Cosby, Jesse, or Obama, they get furious. SO MANY people seem to be terrified to tell AA men what they MUST do in order for them to be considered worthwhile. <B>They MUST perform their role!! </B> Other than that, they're going to continue to be regarded by others in the world as less-thans whose lives are not valued like other men.<BR/><BR/>Obama is a politician and I believe that MOST or maybe ALL politicians say what they say to get votes all of the time. It's ALL calculated speech. I'm not sure why anyone would expect Obama to be different. He's either a good politician or he's not and if any black person doesn't want to support him, then they shouldn't. I clearly recognize that he's a politician and I've stated why I support him. I know that he will become toast if he tries to do anything for blacks "specifically," though blacks ought to make it a priority to position themselves to benefit from his policies. AAs should be doing that with urgency. <BR/><BR/>He's NOT there to "save our people," and this is what you've been trying to hammer home to Obamas-siahs, so he's going to say what he needs to say to get votes and support from whomever and implement his policies.<BR/><BR/>One of your commenters referred to him begging and pleading to get support for his stimulus plan. OMG--This is what good politicians DO! They do what they need to do to get their policies passed. Other than that, it will count against them because it's all being written down. Look at how it was viewed as a failure on Bush's part when he couldn't "reform" social security. And Obama can't wave a magic wand to influence folks. He's just a man. LOL! ALL politicians make deals with demons and devil ***sometimes*** and IF NECESSARY and black folks need to savvy-up and realize that. No successful politican can be a Mother Theresa!Eviahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06606364424958560351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1752646546511186140.post-40446204546751992972009-02-11T23:44:00.000-06:002009-02-11T23:44:00.000-06:00Hello there, Felicia!Hmmm...this is beginning to f...Hello there, Felicia!<BR/><BR/>Hmmm...this is beginning to feel like a repeat of our earlier discussions about self-proclaimed biracials. I'm not going to rehash all of that. I'm not going to spend a lot of time going back and forth over these self-proclaimed biracials. We agree to disagree. <BR/><BR/>I'm not very protective of self-proclaimed "biracials." I'm more worried about the fate of the non-"biracial," non-"multicultural," non-"exotic," AA person. I'm more worried about the fate of those AAs who have been (and continue to be) kicked to the bottom of the (racist and colorist) perceived social value index.<BR/><BR/>You said, <EM>"Every black American didn't take it as a disrespectful tongue-lashing."</EM><BR/><BR/>Who made the claim that "every Black American" took it as a disrespectful tongue-lashing? I never said anything like that. You're responding to things that I never said.<BR/><BR/>I DO know that <EM>I</EM> was one of many AAs who were displeased, and took it as a disrespectful tongue-lashing meant to curry favor with White voters. <BR/><BR/>And I know that my displeasure with that speech was NOT based on some sort of BM protectionism. <STRONG>I defend the dignity of AA people. From anybody and everybody who would attack my people's dignity.</STRONG><BR/><BR/>You said, <EM>"And just because black people (and half white or not Obama is considered black in America because of his appearance) may have different perceptions of situations that are occurring - and different solutions to how these problems may be fixed - doesn't mean that one side is more righteous or "authentically black" than the other."</EM><BR/><BR/><STRONG>"Relativity" in terms of my people's LIFE and DEATH interests only goes so far with me.</STRONG> For example, I reserve the right to say that individuals like Ward Connerly are NOT righteous, and are NOT working on behalf of Black interests. I reserve the right to describe Ward Connerly as the traitor (and internal enemy) that he is to AA interests. <BR/><BR/>Also, it's like you're trying to twist this into some sort of "acting Black" discussion. I'm not talking about "acting Black." In Obama's case, I'm talking about him going out of his way to publicly tongue-lash AAs in order to curry White favor. I object to that.<BR/><BR/>When a Crossover Negro Politician, or a Negro Celebrity (Yung Berg, Ne-Yo, DL Hughley, etc.), or a Negro like Ward Connerly does something that I consider to be a slap in the face and a betrayal, I reserve the right to call BS on it. <BR/><BR/>This has nothing to do with debates about so-called Black authenticity. In this case, it's about disrespect in order to suck up to White (racist) voters.<BR/><BR/>You said, <EM>"IMO if someone isn't personally attributing to a social problem, they shouldn't feel any humiliation or feel scolded at all if an obvious problem is pointed out.<BR/><BR/>...When people feel that someone's "calling their name" it's usually because they feel some emotional attachment to the issue."</EM><BR/><BR/>This sounds a lot like the argument that Snoop Dogg and other hip-hop misogynists make: <EM>"If you're not a h** or a b****, then I'm not talking about you; and you shouldn't be offended when I refer to women by those terms in my 'music.'"</EM><BR/><BR/>Response: <STRONG>NO. I reject disrespect.</STRONG> And in Obama's case, I consider it disrespect because the motives were tainted---to curry favor with Whites. Whatever else is wrong with Bill Cosby, he's not saying these things to curry favor with (racist) Whites. Which is why I support Cosby's statements.<BR/><BR/>You said, <EM>"Just because most black people may not want to hear or agree with what an individual black/biracial person says, doesn't mean that individual is necessarily wrong. Or right for that matter.<BR/><BR/>All I'm saying is that there are usually shades of gray. Yet people - and especially many black people - tend to think that everything is either black or white.<BR/><BR/>When most things are based purely on opinion."</EM> <BR/><BR/>Again, it sounds like you're responding to things that I didn't say. <EM>I've</EM> been talking about "shades of gray" recently.<BR/><BR/>You said, <EM>"Out of honest curiosity Khadija, which black politicians around now would you consider to be for those who you feel Obama - and those like him - are not representing?"</EM><BR/><BR/>To answer your question, I can only speak about local politicians. Even though he truly annoys me with his speech patterns and mannerisms, I believe that Jesse Jackson, Jr. has been doing a good job for his district. My childhood neighborhood is in his district. I was displeased that his name was mixed up in Blagojevich's mess in any capacity. <BR/><BR/>A lot of local Whites hate on Jesse Jr. because of his father, and paint a caricature of him. He's NOT Jesse Sr. When you look at him over time, he's more of a technocrat sort of politician.<BR/><BR/>His wife became the Alderman in my parents' ward a few years back. I believe she has done a good job for her constituents. She's much more accessible and responsive to her constituents than the previous alderman. Especially considering the LONG years of outrageous neglect that the previous long-term machine Negro Alderman inflicted on that ward.<BR/><BR/>From what I can tell, various categories of constituents (elders AND local Black business owners, etc.) have been mostly pleased with both of them.<BR/><BR/>Peace, blessings and soldarity.Khadijahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07732325133964607276noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1752646546511186140.post-1298730898608688592009-02-11T22:30:00.000-06:002009-02-11T22:30:00.000-06:00Add the Art Of War by Sun Tzu and Frederick the Gr...Add the Art Of War by Sun Tzu and Frederick the Greats- Instructions To His Generals which are also required reading. I honestly believe that the president has probably read these books.<BR/><BR/>Hence, in the wise leader's plans, considerations of advantage and disadvantage will be blended together...on the other hand in the midst of difficulties we are always ready to seize an advantage, we may extricate ourselves from misfortune. <BR/><BR/>What has happened with the economy can best be summed up like this- when the evils that arise have been foreseen they can be quickly redressed, but when they have been permitted to grow in a way that everyone can see them, there is no longer a remedy. <BR/><BR/>Therefore, the last administration foreseeing troubles, did not deal with the problems they saw and allowed them to come to a head where it will be very difficult to deal with and eradicated. <BR/><BR/>The president is not a miracle worker, so we must be patient with his decisions and his cabinet choices. <BR/><BR/>And nothing honors a man more than to establish new laws and new ordinances when himself is newly risen...when they are well founded and dignified will make him revered and admired.Divalocityhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00273194312285528274noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1752646546511186140.post-28404695622978898632009-02-11T15:46:00.000-06:002009-02-11T15:46:00.000-06:00@ Hagar's DaughterYou said (in part):This whole wo...@ Hagar's Daughter<BR/><BR/>You said (in part):<BR/><B>This whole worship thing is just numbing to me. As a psychologist I understand the celebration of the "1st black" and there is a place for that, but this has gone beyond "normal." There is no balance, no rationale. It's not just black folks either.</B><BR/><BR/>I find that if anyone is offering any critical thinking about the Obama administration, then black folks start raising accusations of "oh you must be jealous of the Obamas".... and that's third grade thinking...<BR/><BR/>In the third grade, if any child on the playground said anything that was not complimentary, everyone assumed that jealousy was at the root of the comment...<BR/><BR/>Well...now we have adults using this same remedial thinking...as if critical thinking is SOOO FOREIGN to them.<BR/><BR/>All these simple negroes seem to understand is perpetuating Obama-ssiah.<BR/><BR/>If there are blacks who do not do likewise, then in their minds it's because "you don't <B>like</B> Barack and Michelle"...<BR/><BR/>{shaking my head}<BR/><BR/>I will be <B>very happy</B> to see our people elevate our thinking from the elementary school playground.<BR/><BR/>This nation is in a mess and we need to embrace some sophisticated analysis and observation...thank you for keeping us thinking!<BR/><BR/>Peace, blessings and DUNAMIS!<BR/>LisaLISA VAZQUEZhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13583559303233985031noreply@blogger.com