A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of taking a road trip with a friend of mine to take care of some business. I would say it was about an hour drive. So, there was plenty of time to make some evaluations..... While on this trip, I witnessed various driving styles by the other commuters around us. I must say, a lot of people just simply don't know how to drive!
So, we are traveling down I-95 south, and get cut off by some lunatic driving an old ass Ford Escort (No offense if you drive an Escort)...... Although I was startled by the abrupt lane change, I was even more surprised at the reaction of the FEMALE driver that I was riding with.... And I quote "You White M*th*r F**k*r, don't you pull that piece of crap in front of me, I swear THEY(White People) don't know how to F**k*ng drive"..... That very moment begged me to ask the question.... What do they call us?
I mean really, I know I am not the only person that has wanted to be a fly in the car, when an African American driver cuts off a white driver, just to see what they say! Are they dropping the N-bomb? Are they call us Porch Monkeys, Coons, or Spooks? Granted, I know these all sound like names from the Jim Crow dictionary. However, just as grandmas pearls and quilt are passed from generation to generation, so does the racial vocabulary. But, really.... We lash out with racial insults in the privacy of our own vehicles. Don't they have the right to do the same? Maybe some do, maybe some don't. It just makes you think sometimes about the tainted roots of this country, and what the future holds in the dawn of our new Presidency.
SMH, Racism.... Will it ever end? I often wonder to myself, is there anyone in the world that is completely non-racist? I mean, as an African-American, I will always be reminded of the racial injustices that this country has placed upon persons of African descent for centuries. The years of slavery, lynching, raping, corporate discrimination, profiling, etc.... Yet in 2009, racism is alive and doing well. So, will it ever end? Can anyone really say to themselves that they love and adore persons of all races and creeds?... I can only speak for myself. Although I am reminded of the past, I cannot say that I actually hate anyone. However, I will say this, I dislike hatred and all of the ugly friends it comes with. Don't get it twisted. Just because you are African-American, doesn't mean we are automatically cool. Lord knows some of us really need some help, and if you hate everyone, then I can't get with that.
The topic of racism is too much to tackle in one blog. After all, many of our nations brightest scholars have written countless essays, articles, and books. However, I will leave you with a few other questions that float through my head on said topic.
Do you ever get offended when a white person decides to sit next to another white person on the train or bus, and there is a seat open next to you? I'm just saying, why did they chose that empty seat over the one next to me?
Do you ever feel weird in a room full of white people, and you are the only African-American? (ie... restaurant, company party/event, clothing store, etc) Are you yourself, or do you tap dance for them, and let them get away with comments such as "You aren't like the rest of them, hahaha".... lol smh..... "Blame it on the alcohol" I guess...
Can you date a white person and bring them home to mama? If we are striving for racial equality, why can't you? Ohhhhh, I get it. They are your significant other in private but, not in public..... (Side note, I often go to lunch with a white female co-worker. We are strictly platonic. You should see all of the dirty looks I get from people. Mostly from African-American women.... I just laugh and SMH)
Is it a problem that white people feel so strongly about dog-fighting, yet other hate crimes get brushed under the rug? Do they love their dogs more than they love us? I'm just saying....
It's been good people..... "Stay thirsty my friends"
Theo
"Mediocrity Always Attacks Excellence"
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Are Celebs Immortal?
So sad.... we elevate celebrities to immortal status, and when they make a mistake, we act surprised, as if they aren't just human like everyone else....... tsk tsk, smh!
Recently our own Tiger Woods was involved in a car crash that was caused by him allegedly cheating. I have heard so much commentary in reference to these allegations…… “No, not Tiger Woods”, “I didn’t think he had it in him”, etc, etc…. When did Tiger get elevated to immortal status? Sadly, he isn’t the only celebrity that has faltered when it has come to infidelity.
The list of high profile cheaters is a mile long. You have, Tiger Woods, Shaquille O’Neal, Shaunie O’Neal, Eric Benet, Bill Cosby, Magic Johnson, Fergie, Michael Jordan, Usher, Bill Clinton, Gabrielle Union, Meg Ryan, and a host of groupies, just to name a few. Believe it or not, when it comes to adultery, both parties are held accountable, even if only one is married…..
So, back to the original question….. Why is it that we elevate celebrities to immortal status? Why does it so astonish that Tiger makes the same mistakes as “Tyrone”? How can Eric Benet cheat on Halle Berry, who some feel is the most beautiful woman in the world? These questions can be answered in various ways, and by various parties. The answers would in turn lead into other topics of discussion on how men and women view relationships, physical/sexual attraction, and moral.
It’s interesting to see the amount of pressure that we put on celebrities, to live the perfect lives. After all, they are human just as we are. Yes the cameras are always flashing, with virtually no privacy. One false move is heard around the world, and echoed for weeks on end via TV, radio, and tabloids…. Why is it that they owe an explanation to the world for their mistakes? Is a public apology really necessary? I feel like the general public should mind their own business, and let married couples handle their domestic disputes in private….. I don’t blame Tiger for not wanting to include the world in him and his wife’s private disagreements….. I feel that his wife deserves the apology more so than you or I!
I guess the idea behind it is that, they make more money, which puts them in a higher society, where the problems of the real world don’t exist…. Is that what it is? Notorious B. I. G. said, “More money, more problems”…. I guess he was right.
It will be interesting to see how this Tiger Woods saga unfolds. After all, Kobe rebounded from his sex scandal, R. Kelly’s perverted tail is still selling albums, Bill Clinton is still one of the favorite Ex-Presidents, and Michael Vick is still being heckled even though he has done his time….. Are we going to keep bringing it up, like we are doing Chris Brown (FYI, this happened 10 months ago)? Or sweep it under the rug, and give him a ticket? I don’t know, but keep posted my friends, I am sure this will not be the last that we hear about it!
"Mediocrity always attacks Excellence"
Recently our own Tiger Woods was involved in a car crash that was caused by him allegedly cheating. I have heard so much commentary in reference to these allegations…… “No, not Tiger Woods”, “I didn’t think he had it in him”, etc, etc…. When did Tiger get elevated to immortal status? Sadly, he isn’t the only celebrity that has faltered when it has come to infidelity.
The list of high profile cheaters is a mile long. You have, Tiger Woods, Shaquille O’Neal, Shaunie O’Neal, Eric Benet, Bill Cosby, Magic Johnson, Fergie, Michael Jordan, Usher, Bill Clinton, Gabrielle Union, Meg Ryan, and a host of groupies, just to name a few. Believe it or not, when it comes to adultery, both parties are held accountable, even if only one is married…..
So, back to the original question….. Why is it that we elevate celebrities to immortal status? Why does it so astonish that Tiger makes the same mistakes as “Tyrone”? How can Eric Benet cheat on Halle Berry, who some feel is the most beautiful woman in the world? These questions can be answered in various ways, and by various parties. The answers would in turn lead into other topics of discussion on how men and women view relationships, physical/sexual attraction, and moral.
It’s interesting to see the amount of pressure that we put on celebrities, to live the perfect lives. After all, they are human just as we are. Yes the cameras are always flashing, with virtually no privacy. One false move is heard around the world, and echoed for weeks on end via TV, radio, and tabloids…. Why is it that they owe an explanation to the world for their mistakes? Is a public apology really necessary? I feel like the general public should mind their own business, and let married couples handle their domestic disputes in private….. I don’t blame Tiger for not wanting to include the world in him and his wife’s private disagreements….. I feel that his wife deserves the apology more so than you or I!
I guess the idea behind it is that, they make more money, which puts them in a higher society, where the problems of the real world don’t exist…. Is that what it is? Notorious B. I. G. said, “More money, more problems”…. I guess he was right.
It will be interesting to see how this Tiger Woods saga unfolds. After all, Kobe rebounded from his sex scandal, R. Kelly’s perverted tail is still selling albums, Bill Clinton is still one of the favorite Ex-Presidents, and Michael Vick is still being heckled even though he has done his time….. Are we going to keep bringing it up, like we are doing Chris Brown (FYI, this happened 10 months ago)? Or sweep it under the rug, and give him a ticket? I don’t know, but keep posted my friends, I am sure this will not be the last that we hear about it!
"Mediocrity always attacks Excellence"
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