SquarePeg
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2 months ago
in DNC08: Michelle’s Speech Late Night Open Thread on Jack and Jill Politics
Michelle Obama did an excellent job and I know this because Ben Stein on Larry King's show was about to bust his jugular because she didn't talk about the issues and said instead that it was all about her(?).
When did it become the spouses of presidential candidates responsibility to give speeches about the economy, health care, etc?
Yes, she did an excellent job not only in giving an empowering, assertive, speech that highlighted her intelligence, charm and fortrighness, but caused these neo-cons to pee in their pants!
Now lets see Cindy McCain's take on the economy in her speech since she is the supposed CEO of that empire that she and John McCain built, yeah right!
When did it become the spouses of presidential candidates responsibility to give speeches about the economy, health care, etc?
Yes, she did an excellent job not only in giving an empowering, assertive, speech that highlighted her intelligence, charm and fortrighness, but caused these neo-cons to pee in their pants!
Now lets see Cindy McCain's take on the economy in her speech since she is the supposed CEO of that empire that she and John McCain built, yeah right!
1 reply
2 months ago
in ‘The Cost of Silence’ - now it’s the BLACK WOMAN’S fault that White Feminists don’t defend Michelle Obama? HELL NO on Jack and Jill Politics
Black first, Female Second.
That's the way OTHERS decided it would be in this country. While white females were sitting on the porch being waited on hand and foot not just during slavery, but when Black women worked as domestics in their households for pennies, I am sure they had our best interest at heart.
Yeah, they truly care about the plight of Black women AFTER they have been served first, after all, with all the crying, whining and eyelash batting, what's a Black girl to do?
Stay in her place until Ms. Ann tells her she can move. How dare these Black women think they are equal to us! Who told them they could speak? Waaaaaahhh, Waaaaah, are they lookng at me yet?
Damn. Just Damn.
That's the way OTHERS decided it would be in this country. While white females were sitting on the porch being waited on hand and foot not just during slavery, but when Black women worked as domestics in their households for pennies, I am sure they had our best interest at heart.
Yeah, they truly care about the plight of Black women AFTER they have been served first, after all, with all the crying, whining and eyelash batting, what's a Black girl to do?
Stay in her place until Ms. Ann tells her she can move. How dare these Black women think they are equal to us! Who told them they could speak? Waaaaaahhh, Waaaaah, are they lookng at me yet?
Damn. Just Damn.
1 reply
BlackButterfly
Co-sign!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
3 months ago
in Monday Open Thread on Jack and Jill Politics
Many props to Haitians and their success in freeing themselves from colonisim, however, as much respect as I might have for their tenacity in that struggle, can you please explain to me how they came about their preconceived and stereotypical images of African Americans, if not from the same folks who they defeated? If not, where did those opinions arrive?
Also,
This statement has me puzzled:
"So many Afro Latinos would identify with their culture (Cuban, Puerto Rican, Bajan, etc) and not their American racialized identity in a way that many African Americans hold to be the "correct way to express oneself" or show "Black pride."
Now what would be in your estimation other than denigrating Blacks in America IN AMERICA, a country that most of these Latinos immigrated to, do they show their pride? Please educate, so we can stop making such sweeping statements, since my experiences with Latinos of the darker hue is that most identify themselves as white and are almost pathological in that assertion, others attempt to hide members of their families of a darker hue, and most attempt to lighten up their families by intermarrying. Please dispel my misunderstanding.
Also,
This statement has me puzzled:
"So many Afro Latinos would identify with their culture (Cuban, Puerto Rican, Bajan, etc) and not their American racialized identity in a way that many African Americans hold to be the "correct way to express oneself" or show "Black pride."
Now what would be in your estimation other than denigrating Blacks in America IN AMERICA, a country that most of these Latinos immigrated to, do they show their pride? Please educate, so we can stop making such sweeping statements, since my experiences with Latinos of the darker hue is that most identify themselves as white and are almost pathological in that assertion, others attempt to hide members of their families of a darker hue, and most attempt to lighten up their families by intermarrying. Please dispel my misunderstanding.
2 replies
evita
Not sure why you are talking about Haiti, Celia Cruz was Cuban. Did I miss some part of the conversation?
Opinions about colonized and enslaved peoples over time, evolve as a tool and function of systemic oppression. Therefore Celia, being Cuban, knew what Spanish Colonialism looked like and how it existed in Cuba and consequently how people of a darker hue on the island received ill treatment. Make no mistake though that the American context of slavery is uniquely American. And let's not for one second believe that colonial mentalities no longer exist in Cuba, Haiti, and the United States- especially manifested with standards of beauty and desirability that is more white than black. (hair weaves, contact lens, perms...)
That said, Celia Cruz being Black and being Cuban experienced two realities in the United States (three if you count her immigrant status.) Those realities of being Black and Cuban at the same time offered a complex and ill understood perspective of Afro Latino identity.
Many, not all, Black people do not accept this reality. For many Americans you are either Black or White, for many Latinos that model doesn't fit out history since our families embody a spectrum. No one drop in Cuba. In fact many Latinos who arrive today don't identify as Latino- as there is not such category in their country and the concept of Latino as racial group wasn't created until the 80s. So why would I get mad at them not calling themselves Latino since its a made up category to begin with... same as Black and White.
I'm starting to see the "racial issue" is yours and not Celia's. Not sure what to say about your anectodal reality has been since it is very far removed from anything I have ever experienced, witnessed, or studied. True Colorism does exist and we discussed is a byproduct of colonialism and slavery. So why are you holding Celia Cruz to a higher standard than we would say Wendy Williams (blonde weave, contact lens etc)
The larger point is that in the United States many people assume that because you are Black it ALSO means you are African American. MANY Black people in the United States do not identify with being African American because they are not. So politically, these Latinos experienced difficulty with African Americans who felt they should not identify with being culturally Latino if they were also "racially" Black. So there were/ are lots of Black people who believe they are experts in race who believe Black Latinos are trying to be something they are not... when in reality you should stop acting like some colonizer by telling people who they are and how they should act.
Opinions about colonized and enslaved peoples over time, evolve as a tool and function of systemic oppression. Therefore Celia, being Cuban, knew what Spanish Colonialism looked like and how it existed in Cuba and consequently how people of a darker hue on the island received ill treatment. Make no mistake though that the American context of slavery is uniquely American. And let's not for one second believe that colonial mentalities no longer exist in Cuba, Haiti, and the United States- especially manifested with standards of beauty and desirability that is more white than black. (hair weaves, contact lens, perms...)
That said, Celia Cruz being Black and being Cuban experienced two realities in the United States (three if you count her immigrant status.) Those realities of being Black and Cuban at the same time offered a complex and ill understood perspective of Afro Latino identity.
Many, not all, Black people do not accept this reality. For many Americans you are either Black or White, for many Latinos that model doesn't fit out history since our families embody a spectrum. No one drop in Cuba. In fact many Latinos who arrive today don't identify as Latino- as there is not such category in their country and the concept of Latino as racial group wasn't created until the 80s. So why would I get mad at them not calling themselves Latino since its a made up category to begin with... same as Black and White.
I'm starting to see the "racial issue" is yours and not Celia's. Not sure what to say about your anectodal reality has been since it is very far removed from anything I have ever experienced, witnessed, or studied. True Colorism does exist and we discussed is a byproduct of colonialism and slavery. So why are you holding Celia Cruz to a higher standard than we would say Wendy Williams (blonde weave, contact lens etc)
The larger point is that in the United States many people assume that because you are Black it ALSO means you are African American. MANY Black people in the United States do not identify with being African American because they are not. So politically, these Latinos experienced difficulty with African Americans who felt they should not identify with being culturally Latino if they were also "racially" Black. So there were/ are lots of Black people who believe they are experts in race who believe Black Latinos are trying to be something they are not... when in reality you should stop acting like some colonizer by telling people who they are and how they should act.
djchefron
I believe its called Hollywood and the media in general.If you got your views from what we export as popular cultural you would think all African American are nothing but shuffling lazy dope dealing whose women have lots of babies trying new schemes to scam the government wait I'm describing what we see I thought you were talking about what other people see.
3 months ago
in Monday Open Thread on Jack and Jill Politics
You mean the Haitians who don't know how to govern, machete each other to death, live in huts, eat mud pies because the don't have food, or the initiative to try and grown any you mean those Haitains who don't have a pot to piss in and a window to throw it out? Those Haitians who are constantly telling Black folks here in Miami and the US how we should be living, you mean those Haitians>
And you wonder why more Black Americans here in the epicenter of the BS don't step forward in support of the Haitians.
Black America are you hearing what I hear and on a grander scale on a daily basis.
show all 3 replies
And you wonder why more Black Americans here in the epicenter of the BS don't step forward in support of the Haitians.
Black America are you hearing what I hear and on a grander scale on a daily basis.
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tvanel
You need to spend some time reading and hopefully you will find that historically, American history is intertwined with Haitian history, and as the first free black republic in the western hemisphere, Haiti is STILL paying for having the audacity to challenge French colonialism. The Lousiana purchase was prompted by the Haitian revolution, Haitians fought in the American revolutionary war (in fact, if you ever travel to Savannah, GA there is a statue honoring Haitians who fought in a bloody battle in 1979).
C.L R james' The Black Jacobins is a good start
This is not to imply that Haitians are better but to give you a brief synopsis of the rich history and why we need to reach out to one another and get better understanding of the diaspora
C.L R james' The Black Jacobins is a good start
This is not to imply that Haitians are better but to give you a brief synopsis of the rich history and why we need to reach out to one another and get better understanding of the diaspora
Micheline
The Haiti you are talking about is the one that has been raped by IMF and the World Bank so that t now hey can no longer grow rice. There are a lot of Haitians who are educated. All that I am saying is that older generation blacks from the Carribean tended to but into the stereotypes of African-Americans. Is it right? Hell no! Is it stupid? Hell yeah!
3 months ago
in Monday Open Thread on Jack and Jill Politics
Cruiser,
She avoided African Americans like the plaque and refused to speak English, only when promoting one of her albums to the English market.
When she died here in Miami there was a two-day viewing with nary a Black person in sight, which most commentators tried to shush away by explaining it due to cultural differences.
Had Ms. Cruz reached out in any form and identified with the shared struggles of both Black Cubans and Americans there might have been some commonality and respect, she made her choice and decided she didn't want to be associated with Black Americans.
show all 4 replies
She avoided African Americans like the plaque and refused to speak English, only when promoting one of her albums to the English market.
When she died here in Miami there was a two-day viewing with nary a Black person in sight, which most commentators tried to shush away by explaining it due to cultural differences.
Had Ms. Cruz reached out in any form and identified with the shared struggles of both Black Cubans and Americans there might have been some commonality and respect, she made her choice and decided she didn't want to be associated with Black Americans.
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- Jump to »
PTCruiser
Cottonhead -
I don't want to seem dense or argumentative but are you saying that she also avoided black Cubans and that no black Cubans attended her funeral services or wake?
I don't want to seem dense or argumentative but are you saying that she also avoided black Cubans and that no black Cubans attended her funeral services or wake?
Sepia
Can you provide info to support your allegations?
3 months ago
in Monday Open Thread on Jack and Jill Politics
Living here in Miami I would have loved to known more about Celia Cruz, but alas, she didn't want to have anything to do with the "Black" community.
What a shame for her as well as us.
What a shame for her as well as us.
2 replies
evita
Really intrigued by this sweeping statement.
As a Latina, specifically Puerto Rican, I know many of us have received "grief" from African Americans who presuppose we identify with the American cultural narrative instead of one of the Diaspora. In this assertion- we expect all Blacks to love American Southern food and forget that is not representative of other cultures in the Caribbean. So many Afro Latinos would identify with their culture (Cuban, Puerto Rican, Bajan, etc) and not their American racialized identity in a way that many African Americans hold to be the "correct way to express oneself" or show "Black pride."
Sometimes we default to uniquely American tendencies- which is dichotomous and limiting in our capacity to honor multiple cultural experiences, build our organizing networks, etc..
As a Latina, specifically Puerto Rican, I know many of us have received "grief" from African Americans who presuppose we identify with the American cultural narrative instead of one of the Diaspora. In this assertion- we expect all Blacks to love American Southern food and forget that is not representative of other cultures in the Caribbean. So many Afro Latinos would identify with their culture (Cuban, Puerto Rican, Bajan, etc) and not their American racialized identity in a way that many African Americans hold to be the "correct way to express oneself" or show "Black pride."
Sometimes we default to uniquely American tendencies- which is dichotomous and limiting in our capacity to honor multiple cultural experiences, build our organizing networks, etc..
PTCruiser
I'm not sure what you mean here. Are you saying that Celia Cruz avoided black Cubans or African Americans or both? Please elaborate.
3 months ago
in Tuesday Open Thread on Jack and Jill Politics
I am loving this picture.
No booty shaking, no dyed blonde hair, no over-sexed photo shoot, but a representation of the "real" black woman in America.
For those who don't know, this is what most Black women look like, now the images that are constantly protrayed as reprensentative of who we are.
Thanks Michelle for representin'!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No booty shaking, no dyed blonde hair, no over-sexed photo shoot, but a representation of the "real" black woman in America.
For those who don't know, this is what most Black women look like, now the images that are constantly protrayed as reprensentative of who we are.
Thanks Michelle for representin'!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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GreenLadyHere
SquarePeg: Co-signing with a "virtual dap"!!! :>) :>)
APeach
I co-sign--all day long.
3 months ago
in Obama - Too Fit to Be President? on Jack and Jill Politics
I know I am off topic, but fellow bloggers please read the below regarding predatory lenders on our already suffering communities, and how so-called civil rights organizations have sold their historical souls and trampled on that legacy for a few pieces of silver. It is beyond pathetic and one of the main reasons they are so irrelevent today:
http://www.motherjones.com/washington_dispatch/...
Sickenening.
http://www.motherjones.com/washington_dispatch/...
Sickenening.
1 reply
CraigHickman
It's Barack's fault.
3 months ago
in Black-Latino Tension Is A Figment Of White People’s Imagination (or Desire?) on Jack and Jill Politics
Racial tensions in Miami, Florida are an everyday reality for Black Americans in this city.
With the desire to disenfranchise Black folks for the struggle they waged to obtain civil rights, the powers-that-be in this city, embraced the incoming Cuban migration at the expense of the community, with civil rights legislation used to benefit those folks who had not lifted a finger in the cause of civil rights.
For more than 40 years, the Black community has been subjected to the use of a foreign language as a weapon in order to deny jobs, educational opportunities and other resources. Black politicians to their own detriment have sold out their communities for the proverbial 30 pieces of silver, only to be kicked to the curb by both Hispanics and Whites when they were no longer needed.
At the present time in Miami, the irony is that the white population is less than 20 percent and most middle class Blacks are moving out in droves. It seems that in less than 40 years, civil rights that were designed to balance discrepancies in treatment of Blacks have been turned on their ear to benefit another group that did not lift one finger in support of the legislation they are now taking full advantage of.
People from other countries who have never worked a day in their lives in this country in many cases are entitled to social services, including Social Security Supplemental, that many of our grandparents are denied until they can prove they are US citizens. People affecting the outcomes of elections who have voter registration cards that shouldn't have as they are not US citizens.
The answer to your question for this town if you were to get a Black person to candidly tell the truth would be that yes, there is more than tension between Blacks and Hispanics, there is bitterness that this group of people are benefitting from a struggle they did not suffer from, but many have the audacity to state publicly, proudly, and arrogantly, that Black folks have too much power in this country.
Yes, there is tension and it is not a preception but reality in this place.
Let's be real. When you can't get a job because you don't speak the
"right" language, or you enter a store and no one speaks English, the tension is only exacerbated.
With the desire to disenfranchise Black folks for the struggle they waged to obtain civil rights, the powers-that-be in this city, embraced the incoming Cuban migration at the expense of the community, with civil rights legislation used to benefit those folks who had not lifted a finger in the cause of civil rights.
For more than 40 years, the Black community has been subjected to the use of a foreign language as a weapon in order to deny jobs, educational opportunities and other resources. Black politicians to their own detriment have sold out their communities for the proverbial 30 pieces of silver, only to be kicked to the curb by both Hispanics and Whites when they were no longer needed.
At the present time in Miami, the irony is that the white population is less than 20 percent and most middle class Blacks are moving out in droves. It seems that in less than 40 years, civil rights that were designed to balance discrepancies in treatment of Blacks have been turned on their ear to benefit another group that did not lift one finger in support of the legislation they are now taking full advantage of.
People from other countries who have never worked a day in their lives in this country in many cases are entitled to social services, including Social Security Supplemental, that many of our grandparents are denied until they can prove they are US citizens. People affecting the outcomes of elections who have voter registration cards that shouldn't have as they are not US citizens.
The answer to your question for this town if you were to get a Black person to candidly tell the truth would be that yes, there is more than tension between Blacks and Hispanics, there is bitterness that this group of people are benefitting from a struggle they did not suffer from, but many have the audacity to state publicly, proudly, and arrogantly, that Black folks have too much power in this country.
Yes, there is tension and it is not a preception but reality in this place.
Let's be real. When you can't get a job because you don't speak the
"right" language, or you enter a store and no one speaks English, the tension is only exacerbated.
2 replies
Yoyogibear
Your points (at least in the first 4 paragraphs) are reasonable. Miami might be an extreme case though. I'm not sure it's representative of America as a whole.
regarding people who have never worked in this country being entitled to social services while older African Americans aren't is a bit more questionable to me. I'm not sure how, say, illegal immigrants could get such services while others, who were born in America, can't get the same services. If there is actual evidence of that happening, I'd be interested in seeing it. I tend to hear it from my right-wing relatives, but don't see much evidence of it myself...
Regarding language issues, put yourself in their shoes. It's possible they don't know the language. If you've ever been overseas, you may have noticed that many Americans (and other foreigners) who live in another country never manage to pick up the language of their host country, either. It's especially difficult for adults who didn't have sufficient exposure to English when they were younger. That might account for the non-English-speaking stores in Miami (though, if they have lived in the US for any period of time, I imagine they can struggle to express themselves at least in very basic English). People with no English skills in America are also often forced, thru necessity, to work in their own communities. Why would boeing, for example, hire someone in the US who speaks *only* Korean? The fact of the matter is, such people have little choice but to start their own business or work in an ethnic supermarket or some other place where they can get by largely thru their own language.
Similarly, Americans aren't the only people who have to learn the 'right' language. I live in Japan and work as a staff recruiter. Many of the jobs I get are at non-Japanese companies and require English skills that the vast majority of Japanese people don't have. As a result, for those Japanese people who weren't fortunate enough to live in America, for example, when they were young and when their parents (father) were working in the US, they either have to learn English on their own time or build a career/life in an area where it's not required.
The tension with regards to language seems completely unnecessary to me. It is what it is. I'm sure language issues have existed since the beginning of human migration. FWIW, if you walk into a store where the employees don't speak English but are talking amongst themselves, I suspect they're engaged in a mundane conversation, just like English speakers are when they work together. Americans seem particularly inclined to think that they're being talked about negatively when they are around others who aren't speaking English. In reality, I think it's seldom that exciting.
regarding people who have never worked in this country being entitled to social services while older African Americans aren't is a bit more questionable to me. I'm not sure how, say, illegal immigrants could get such services while others, who were born in America, can't get the same services. If there is actual evidence of that happening, I'd be interested in seeing it. I tend to hear it from my right-wing relatives, but don't see much evidence of it myself...
Regarding language issues, put yourself in their shoes. It's possible they don't know the language. If you've ever been overseas, you may have noticed that many Americans (and other foreigners) who live in another country never manage to pick up the language of their host country, either. It's especially difficult for adults who didn't have sufficient exposure to English when they were younger. That might account for the non-English-speaking stores in Miami (though, if they have lived in the US for any period of time, I imagine they can struggle to express themselves at least in very basic English). People with no English skills in America are also often forced, thru necessity, to work in their own communities. Why would boeing, for example, hire someone in the US who speaks *only* Korean? The fact of the matter is, such people have little choice but to start their own business or work in an ethnic supermarket or some other place where they can get by largely thru their own language.
Similarly, Americans aren't the only people who have to learn the 'right' language. I live in Japan and work as a staff recruiter. Many of the jobs I get are at non-Japanese companies and require English skills that the vast majority of Japanese people don't have. As a result, for those Japanese people who weren't fortunate enough to live in America, for example, when they were young and when their parents (father) were working in the US, they either have to learn English on their own time or build a career/life in an area where it's not required.
The tension with regards to language seems completely unnecessary to me. It is what it is. I'm sure language issues have existed since the beginning of human migration. FWIW, if you walk into a store where the employees don't speak English but are talking amongst themselves, I suspect they're engaged in a mundane conversation, just like English speakers are when they work together. Americans seem particularly inclined to think that they're being talked about negatively when they are around others who aren't speaking English. In reality, I think it's seldom that exciting.
melanctha
Miami's Cuban population is largely descendant from those members of the Battista oligarchy and their lackeys who were forced to flee Cuba with the ascendence of Castro and the revolution. They came from a regime/economy that was largely based on the oppression and discrimination of blacks. (Although, interestingly enough, Battista is considered to have been black. ) They merely continued behaving in the manner to which they were accustomed. They not only look down on blacks but most other hispanics.
4 months ago
in John McCain’s Neverending War (video) on Jack and Jill Politics
Surge today, surge tomorrow, surge forever.
Now if only Obama will admit that the surge worked, I'll admit that the Iraq war was wrong and we shouldn't have been there in the first place.
Naw, it won't happen, but McSurge will keep talking about the surge until he can't talk anymore.
Now if only Obama will admit that the surge worked, I'll admit that the Iraq war was wrong and we shouldn't have been there in the first place.
Naw, it won't happen, but McSurge will keep talking about the surge until he can't talk anymore.
1 reply
msmartin
McSurge - Lol!
4 months ago
in CNN’s ‘ Black In America’, Day One - Open Thread on Jack and Jill Politics
For those planning to watch tonight's episode of this farce, I will wait to read your reviews because I will not subject myself to more Black bashing masquerading as thoughtful, insightful analysis of the Black experience in America.
NO ID -- can you imagine what the conversation was when they were planning the episode about Black men? God help us! Lock up your virgins, those mandingos are coming to get you!
Nothing will be said about the beautiful Black man, whose sensual walk alone seems shivers down a sister's spine. Just watch a Black man walking and you will see why so many "others" feel threatened, not an educated Black man, an intelligent Black man, a wealthy Black man, a family-loving Black man, a GOOD Black man. Just watch a Black man walking, even with all the attempts to emasculate.
Do I love Black men? You think?!!
NO ID -- can you imagine what the conversation was when they were planning the episode about Black men? God help us! Lock up your virgins, those mandingos are coming to get you!
Nothing will be said about the beautiful Black man, whose sensual walk alone seems shivers down a sister's spine. Just watch a Black man walking and you will see why so many "others" feel threatened, not an educated Black man, an intelligent Black man, a wealthy Black man, a family-loving Black man, a GOOD Black man. Just watch a Black man walking, even with all the attempts to emasculate.
Do I love Black men? You think?!!
1 reply
NO ID
Here was the conversation about black men...
BIM Producer: So, Soledad, who do you know that we could put on the show?
Soledad: Umm, I mentioned Snoop right...do you think Barack Obama is available?
Black Intern: I think he's probably pretty busy preparing for the White House right now.
BIM Producer: What? He's not going to win! Now, who else do we know - Will Smith is doing a movie, LeBron James and Kobe Bryant are playing basketball, hey what about that guy my kids like Wally, Woozy, Weeble?
BIM Intern: You mean L'il Wayne? But what about black stepfathers, grandfathers, doctors, bus drivers, lawyers, corporate executives, weekend golfers, college professors, writers, artists, software developers and IT guys, uncles, fighter pilots, fireman and grass roots in the trenches working in the community guys?
BIM Producer: Soledad, do you know what he's talking about?
Soledad shakes her head.
Soledad: I don't know anybody like that.
BIM Producer: So, Soledad, who do you know that we could put on the show?
Soledad: Umm, I mentioned Snoop right...do you think Barack Obama is available?
Black Intern: I think he's probably pretty busy preparing for the White House right now.
BIM Producer: What? He's not going to win! Now, who else do we know - Will Smith is doing a movie, LeBron James and Kobe Bryant are playing basketball, hey what about that guy my kids like Wally, Woozy, Weeble?
BIM Intern: You mean L'il Wayne? But what about black stepfathers, grandfathers, doctors, bus drivers, lawyers, corporate executives, weekend golfers, college professors, writers, artists, software developers and IT guys, uncles, fighter pilots, fireman and grass roots in the trenches working in the community guys?
BIM Producer: Soledad, do you know what he's talking about?
Soledad shakes her head.
Soledad: I don't know anybody like that.
4 months ago
in CNN’s ‘ Black In America’, Day One - Open Thread on Jack and Jill Politics
Soledad O'Brian is an Afro-Cuban married to a white man. When she came to this country from Cuba she and her Afro-Cuban family ran into bigotry, racism and discrimination from white cubans in Miami. Even with that, she still did not identify with the struggles of Black Americans as with most Cubans who affiliate themselves with white folks.
Her perspective of the Black experience in this country has evolved because of the evident hue of her color, something that even if she wanted to, couldn't deny. So in her conversations with Black folks that surround her in journalism, I'm sure she has been schooled on being Black in America even if you don't want to believe it. For Cubans many of them aspire to whiten up their Black families and look down on anything perceived as Black. In Miami many Cubans could not understand the pride that Black Americans had in our accomplishments and often reacted in hostile ways, such as her reaction when reporting on MLK.
I said all that to say, the report last night was nothing more than a string of commercials and upcoming attraction previews for other shows with a few snipets of Black life thrown in between. Those so-called segments were so short and pieced together without any indepth coverage of the causes of the negative aspects of these folks lives, with only a short segment at the end showing the resilience and preserverence of Black folks in this country in spite of. This was a failed attempt and was not substantive or edifying at any point.
A hugh disappointment.
Her perspective of the Black experience in this country has evolved because of the evident hue of her color, something that even if she wanted to, couldn't deny. So in her conversations with Black folks that surround her in journalism, I'm sure she has been schooled on being Black in America even if you don't want to believe it. For Cubans many of them aspire to whiten up their Black families and look down on anything perceived as Black. In Miami many Cubans could not understand the pride that Black Americans had in our accomplishments and often reacted in hostile ways, such as her reaction when reporting on MLK.
I said all that to say, the report last night was nothing more than a string of commercials and upcoming attraction previews for other shows with a few snipets of Black life thrown in between. Those so-called segments were so short and pieced together without any indepth coverage of the causes of the negative aspects of these folks lives, with only a short segment at the end showing the resilience and preserverence of Black folks in this country in spite of. This was a failed attempt and was not substantive or edifying at any point.
A hugh disappointment.
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Admiral_Komack
The only good thing I can think of is at least they didn't put it on in February (Black History Month).
GreenLadyHere
SquarePeg: VERY enLIGHTening!!! :>) :>) Wonder if this is in Wikipedia? :>) Thank you.
Ben Stein said that she only had ONE line in her speech about the troops, then he goes on to talk about how the troops are dying and serving....Larry responded by pointing out that Ben supports an administration that sent the troops there. Hah.
For sure, they will incorporate the best of the Obama's into the Republican speeches.(copying from papers) They will try to outdo each line. They'll wax poetic about the troops, and on and on. I'm bored just thinking about it.