The Choice is Yours...Creativity or Blaxploitation?

Is it just me or is anyone else even slightly offended by some of the covertly racist or at the very least, stereotypical commercials on TV lately? 

Example 1:  The Progressive Insurance commercial with the black couple and the dancing money. 

See video clip:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcmdW4H_WSQ&feature=player_embedded

I don’t want to make a bigger deal of this than it is folks but com’on…Really? 

Can somebody please explain to me why “Flo” the Progressive Sales Rep has to show the black people who are looking to save some money, the dancing money with funky music playing in the background?  Only to have the black man state that “Yeah, that will certainly stick with me!”  Why because you’re a black man and you can remember anything that involves music and dancing?  Maybe they should have given the dancing money some chicken and watermelon to munch on while he was dancing!

And what about the State Farm commercial with the 3 black guys having a discussion about “dap”?

Example 2:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kw_zlMwjDaE

In this commercial, the State Farm spokesman overhears a conversation between three friends. They say hello and two of them give each other a special "dap", leaving out the 3^rd friend.  He wants to know “What is that…How come my dap wasn’t like that?”  The two friends explain that it’s an “us” thing.” 

Just FYI…a dap is a greeting used at times to signal familiar closeness.  It’s a handshake, but it usually includes a series of hand/body gestures, with the gestures being performed in a specific and choreographed order. 

I’m guessing that the 3^rd guy stands there looking confused and feeling left out because he doesn’t know the “State Farm” dap shared by his two friends. Really?  Is it that serious?

And who can forget all of the McDonald’s commercial that show black people dancing, singing and even rapping?  Unfortunately I can’t!

Example 3:  McNuggets Love

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBq7Ver15IA&feature=BF&list=PLAED94E7179F25450&index=10

Example 4:  Dollar Menu Van

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDD5gftRs8g&feature=related

Example 5:  McCafe Shuffle with Cupid

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0lm6DzM1_A&feature=related

Example 6:  McCafe Cool vs. Hot with Dwele

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfPsu5rZR-0&feature=related

Finally, take a look at this one.

Example 7: 2010 Kia Soul Hamster Commercial | Black Sheep Kia Hamsters Video  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfJnqbudMzs

Sooooo is Kia comparing those who live in urban settings to hamsters (members of the rat family)?  When is the last time you saw a hamster sporting a fat gold chain, baggy jeans and a hoody?  Is this creativity or Blaxploitation, reminiscent of the 60’s film genre?  WTF? 

Look, I’m not mad at anybody getting a pay check but dayum… are singing and dancing, dapping and rapping the only talents we have? Is that the only way advertisers feel they can get our attention?

Some of you probably think I am preoccupied with or hyper-sensitive to race, based on my blog content.  You could be right.  I’ve had to ask myself the same question at times.  But it’s hard to NOT be “pre-occupied” with it when it’s so in your face…every freak’n day!  Could it be that some of the issues I write about have been down played in other media because it makes people uncomfortable to broach the subject of race?  Could it be that it’s the “elephant in the room” that I refuse to ignore even if everybody else in the room does?

No matter what your opinion of me is, know that I simply want to ask the questions and spark a meaningful dialogue.  If I seem preoccupied it’s because some days (most days) I see or hear disturbing images and portrayals of people like me and I just can’t take it anymore.  I may not be able to change anyone’s opinions but I can bring awareness.  This blog is MY way of relaxing, relating and releasing. 

I want to bring attention to and discuss things that hit a certain nerve or that in my opinion, things that scream racism, injustice, misogyny, double standards, etc., instead of simply dismissing them as if they don’t exist.  I want to educate myself and others when possible.  And I would like to give people, companies, organizations the benefit of the doubt and hope that the color of my skin is as inconsequential for them as it is for me.  But I admit, there are times that I cannot and will not deny what I see in the mirror. Not only is my skin dark and lovely, but the history of oppression that can accompany my brown/black skin can be difficult to ignore at times.  

“Ads subtly perpetuate and reinforce societal beliefs and expectations concerning gender and race through both their images and texts (McLaughlin & Goulet, 1999). And the texts and images presented in the media directly reflect the values and interests of the advertisers, who are usually White men (Colfax & Sternberg, 1972). As a result, people who are not White or male tend to be portrayed in a stereotypical and unfavorable light. Unfortunately, these images and texts become a part of the culture of a society and become the basis on which new images and words are created (Baker, 2005). In this way, the dominant ideology of White supremacy maintains and legitimates the power of White males over females and other races in our society (Bristor, Lee, & Hunt, 1995). These texts and images are often internalized by members of society and thus have a large influence on people’s views and attitudes concerning people of a particular gender or race, as well as on people’s views and attitudes concerning themselves as members of a particular gender and race (Baker, 2005; McLaughlin & Goulet, 1999).

Ads perpetuate and reinforce traditional gender roles and gender inequality by portraying how ideal men and women act and present themselves (Baker, 2005). In our society, ideal men are dominant, strong, successful, and sexually appealing. Ideal women are physically beautiful, submissive, and sexual objects (Baker, 2005).”

And if you don’t know, now you know!  You can get with this or you can get with that..the choice is yours!

Footnotes:

Baker, C. N. (2005). Images of women’s sexuality in advertisements: A content analysis of Black- and White-oriented women’s and men’s magazines. Sex Roles, 52, 13-27.

Bristor, J., Lee, R., & Hunt, M. (1995). Race and ideology: African American images in television advertising. Journal of Public Policy & Marketing, 14, 48-59.

Colfax, J. D., & Sternberg, S. F. (1972). The perpetuation of racial stereotypes: Blacks in mass circulation magazine advertisements. The Public Opinion Quarterly, 36, 8-18.

McLaughlin, T., & Goulet, N. (1999). Gender advertisements in magazines aimed at African Americans: A comparison to their occurrence in magazines aimed at Caucasians. Sex Roles,40, 61-71.

Each One Teach One or BEAT One!

This past Monday, a three-member tribunal made a recommendation to terminate a Georgia high school computer and business class teacher, Lori Ashford-Stringer, after she got into an argument with a student.  A student who had mouthed off and cut her class. 

The teacher allegedly yelled, cursed at and threatened him.  The confrontation spilled out into a hallway and ended up being heard by other students. 

Supposedly she got gangsta wit’ it and told him, “She would take off her earrings and shoes because after 3:45 p.m. she is no longer an educator, that she was no longer afraid of the student, that she was from the N-O (New Orleans) and that he did not know who he was dealing with, and that she knew people.”

Ms. Stringer insists she did not use bad language when the student confronted her after cutting class.

According to the attorney for the Clayton County School District, Stringer’s termination was effective immediately.

He went on to say that, “It was the ‘right decision’ ...and the school system had no choice but to fire her.”  

WTF?

Back in da day, all it took was one call from the school and your ass was grass when you got home.  There was no “mouthing off” to your teachers or any other adult, under any circumstances.  You were sent to school to get an education, not to show your behind in front of the class and cause your momma grief.  And God help you if she had to leave her job to deal with that drama.

Today, some of these kids (and even their parents) have absolutely NO respect for the men and women who make modest wages, but who spend more time with our kids than we do.  Trying to teach them, trying to get them to the next level.  The students have little or no fear of consequences and the teachers are forced to put up with their disruptive, rude, antagonistic behavior or be fired?  That’s B.S. 

Just FYI…According to teacherportal.com, the average yearly starting salary for teachers is $32,000.  Those with masters or higher degrees, can make an average of $10,000 more.  And of course some school “districts pay more to attract good teachers to their schools.” 

I’m not saying that all teachers are good teachers and I remember wanting to cuss out a couple of my own.  But I didn’t.  And do you know why?  Because it wasn’t an option!  My parents laid down the law at home.  It didn’t matter if they were good teachers or not.  You didn’t back talk them or any other authority figure.  If you had a problem with an adult, you let them (my parents) handle it.  If you had a problem with my parents…well, you better to suck it up and keep it movin’ or find another place to live. LOL.

My point here is that it all starts at home.  As parents, it’s our job to set the expectation so that when our children are out in the world, they are more likely to represent the best of us…the best of themselves.

Then it’s our job to stay informed about what our kids are doing in school, how well they are or aren’t doing it and then advocate on their behalf and help them when necessary.  It’s also our job to kick them in the butt and discipline them when they fall short.  As a parent that’s what you sign up for.

I’m not condoning teachers cussing kids out but I can understand how frustrating it must be to deal with some of these kids on a daily basis.  I personally couldn't do it.  You would probably see me in hand cuffs on the 6 o'clock news too. 

Teachers are there to do a job, not raise your bad ass kids!  If YOU don’t want to be bothered with the monster YOU created, what makes you think that anybody else does?  Either teach’em the proper way to conduct themselves, check’em when they get out of order, or home school them and let them work YOUR nerves all day!

Good luck Ms. Stringer.  You go girl!

Ninja (Nigga) Pleazzz! – Is it Something I Said?

From time to time I had planned on featuring a blog in a category called “Ninja Pleazzz!”. Originally my thought was to use the word “Ninja” as my politically correct substitute for “the N word” or “nigga”…not to be confused with “nigger”. But as I began writing this piece, even I, as an African-American/black/brown/ woman of color…Nubian Queen, had to check myself. So I asked myself, is it necessary to use a substitute word? I might say “nigga please” in the presence of a short list of people (black people) but was it appropriate for my blog audience? Who might I offend (black or white), if anybody? Should I even care? What do you think?

Okay maybe I need to take a step back first. For those of you who don’t know, there is a major difference between the two words “nigger” and “nigga”. Among the black community, the ethnic slur “nigger” is sometimes represented as “nigga”, a pronoun in African-American vernacular usage, popularized by black comedians, past and present, and by the rap and hip-hop music cultures. In these situations, "nigga" is used as in-group lexicon and speech, and it is not necessarily derogatory.

Usage of the word “nigga” can insight laughter and/or add certain cadence to a storyline.  Cornel West once said, “There’s a certain rhythmic seduction to the word. If you speak in a sentence, and you have to say cat, companion, or friend, as opposed to nigger(nigga), then the rhythmic presentation is off.  That rhythmic language is a form of historical memory for black people... When Richard Pryor came back from Africa, and decided to stop using the word onstage, he would sometimes start to slip up, because he was so used to speaking that way. It was the right word at the moment to keep the rhythm together in his sentence making.”

Pause…flash backs of me and brother waiting for our parents to leave the house because we couldn’t wait to sneak and put their Richard Pryor album on the turntable. Good times!

I digress. On the other hand, being called a “nigger”, can elicit memories, thoughts and emotions that can make you mad enough to slap the taste out of the violators mouth! Either word (nigger/nigga) means something different depending on who said it, when and how they said it. They can express positive, neutral or negative attitudes.

My point is that these are sensitive words and I hesitate to use either one because it means different things to different people, but on the flip side, interjecting “nigga” into a conversation is soooo apropos in certain situations.  Some of you know exactly what I’m talking about.  Can I get an Amen?

Wait a minute!  Before anybody gets their panties in a bunch, let me be clear, I am NOT advocating the use of either word.  Especially not by those outside of the Black Community…it is still and probably always will be, grounds for getting an ass whoopin’ so I don’t suggest it. To my Caucasian, Asian, Latino and all other brethren…no matter how progressive you think we are, no matter how many black friends you may have…black people DO NOT want to hear your black (nigger) jokes, nor do we wish to hear you say, “That’s my nigga.”  And under no circumstances do we eva, eva, eva, eva want to be called “nigger”. We’re cool but we ain’t that cool. The black community may not be able to agree on its INTRAgroup usage, however, we are very unified when it comes to its INTERgroup usage.

As I was saying, I’m not promoting the use of either term but at the same time I’m not one of these folks running around trying to get signatures on a petition to abolish the word(s) either. Why…partly because I understand the etymology of the word “nigger” or at least I think I do and so it doesn’t have the same power over me as it once did.

Etymology: Nigger

From what I’ve read over the years, the origin of the word “nigger” can be traced back to ancient times. The ancient Egyptian word was N-g-r; pronounced en-jer which means God. In the ancient African and even the present African languages (the Afro-Asiatic linguistic family) vowels such as "a,e,i,o,u" are not found in many translations. Blacks in Egypt called their Pharaohs "En-ger" or "N-g-r" so he was literally referred to as "THE GOD."

Then the words meaning was changed by Romans.  In ancient times, Blacks were worshipped as Gods. The Gods of Greece came from Egypt. The worship of the Black Madonna is connected with the worship of Isis, the Egyptian Goddess. So a Roman general invading Nubia from Egypt would have used the Egyptian term for Pharaoh "N-g-r" or God.  Over time, the Romans used the term “n-g-r” in a neutral context to refer to ALL black people. 

Another school of thought says that the Egyptian word “n-g-r” was corrupted by the Europeans, as a variation of the Spanish/Portuguese noun “negro”, a descendant of the Latin adjective “niger”, meaning the color "black". Latin has its origins in Classical Greek and the word “negro” in Greek, is derived from the root word “necro”, meaning dead.

“Necro” refers to the act of ancestral worship known as necromancy or communication with the dead and was a practice of the Egyptians in order to honor the lives of ancestors who came before them. They believed by doing so could offer guidance and direction to the living. Temples/monuments were designed as places where the ancestors could be honored, and holidays (Holy Days) were the days designated for worshipping. The Greeks thought of the Egyptians had a preoccupation with death and they didn't understand their worship of the dead. They took their distorted beliefs back to Europe and the word “negro” evolved out of this misunderstanding.

In short, to JUSTIFY the enslavement of Africans, it was culturally necessary to believe, or be able to believe, that Africans were inherently and naturally less than human. To believe that they were beings of a sub-human, non-human, nature.  It became necessary to DEHUMANIZE Africans and DEVALUE their historical worth as a people in order to ensure their value as slaves.  Thus the word “nigger” was spawned during the white Europeans invasion of Africa, not as reference to the color of the skin but as a racial epithet.  The term “nigger” did not originate as a slur but took on a derogatory connotation over time.

What Now?

I've read several similar yet conflicting stories regarding the origin of the word "nigger". But no matter how the word evolved, its intent was a malicious one when used in American society and its connotation has a long, painful history behind it for Blacks. That is the reason why IT IS NOT and NEVER WILL BE okay for other ethnicities to use it in our company without repercussions. It’s not a double-standard because SOME black people choose to use it when in the company of other Blacks but MOST black people will go off if anyone else uses it. It’s about the history of the word and how it was and still is used to try to hurt, disparage, dehumanize and keep us in our “place”.

In terms of Black America using the word “nigga” amongst ourselves…well, that is a debate that will probably go on until the end of time.  Some people believe that we shouldn’t use the word in any form and that by simply dropping the “er” and adding the “a”, we only perpetuate the negativity and our own self hate.  Some believe that by making it our own word we are taking our power back. Yet others feel that by our acceptance of it, by our own use and by allowing our children to use the word, we have in some ways denied them of the knowledge of the history of this word and other negative descriptors of ourselves.  I somewhat agree with the last statement.  While I can't speak for everyone, my children are well educated about the history of their ancestors from ancient times to slavery to the present.  They know and understand as I think many of our youth do, the word "nigger" and the historical significance behind it.  At the same time, I do believe that the younger generations may be so far removed from that history, so far from living in that overtly racist climate, that maybe they can't ever fully relate. 

For me the irony of this whole controversy is that if we look at the words origin (as written above), if we as black people knew our history, we would have recognized that those who tried to use it to hurt us with their words, were actually calling us “Black God”. They were ignorant to its true meaning and so were we obviously (due to no fault of our own) because had we known, maybe we wouldn’t have given their mere words so much power in the first place. But I guess it’s kinda hard to stay positive and upbeat when you’ve been taken from your home land, separated from all you know…your people, your language, your culture, and then sold into a society that says you aren’t allowed to live your own life.  No reading and no writing.  No freedom what so ever.  A society where you were humiliated and beat down (physically, mentally and emotionally) every day of your life.  A place where you could be bought and sold at will.  One that said you are nothing but a piece of property and you have no rights.

My parents in their infinite wisdom and in the hopes of taking away some of the words power, taught me early that a “nigger” is anybody, of ANY color who is debased, uneducated, unaware, uninformed…or in other words IGNORANT! Niggers come in ALL shades and colors, so “Nigger is as nigger does”. I personally never felt like I met that description but still on the few occasions when I was called “nigger” to my face, I was taken back and on more than one occasion I reacted to the pain of the insult rather than responding intelligently to it.  Now I’m not so reactionary because I realize that the people saying it don’t know anything about me.  I know that behind the word is nothing but their misdirected hate and ignorance.  The funny thing is that the ones who had the audacity to say it, were usually walking, running or driving, as fast as they could…in a different direction while they spewed their venom. Cowards!!!

The bottom line is that the word “nigga” has been adopted by some black people, especially the younger generations, as more of a cool urban slang term.  When used, its cultural context is essential to its connotation, just like “nigger”.  Therefore “nigga” can be used as a term of endearment, a noun, a more flavorful way to tell a story. Right or wrong…it is what it is.  In the case of this blog category, “Ninja (Nigga) Pleazzz” will be used to show my absolute disdain of an ignorant, dumbass statement or comment made by some “jag-off” (Pittsburghese for jerk or jackass)! Nothing more and nothing less!  Hmmm, maybe I should name the category “Jag-off pleazzz”. 

What do you think?

Allow Me to Introduce Myself

Hello and welcome to my blog. 

First let me say that writing this introduction feels a little like I’m preparing one of the profiles that I’ve set up on dating sites in the past.  (We’ll talk about that later!) The point is that this is nerve racking! 

When you set up a dating profile you want to be creative and unique but you don’t want to lie or write a tell-all novel.  There’s a thin line between airing all of your dirty laundry to complete strangers and captivating your potential suitors.  So they tell you to be descriptive about who you are and what you’re looking for but don’t overdo it.  They tell you to be intriguing but light and conversational.  They advise you to be sincere, open, and honest but don’t be too serious, don’t give a lecture of love.  Don’t come off as desperate or sounding like you’re in love with being in love.  Geesh!

Well, I’m not an expert at writing online dating profiles, nor am I an expert at writing blog introductions so I’ll just give it to you straight, no chaser and just be me!  Hell, I’m not trying to date you anyway.  That is unless you are a SINGLE, confident, honest, creative, down to earth, emotionally and otherwise available, dependable, affectionate, mentally balanced, financially stable, spiritually connected, good (or at least half-way decent) looking, 35-45 year old man!  Preferably an Aries, Gemini, Libra or Sagittarius.  Hey, I’m just sayin’! J

About me:  Fab-u-lous, feisty, 40 year old, single mother of two.  Grand-daughter, daughter, sister, auntie, niece, cousin, friend, etc.  Born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA.  Black & Yellow all day, every day!  Aspiring author, poet, artist and future entrepreneur!  I AM… growing and evolving everyday so stay tuned!

What you can expect from me:  Stimulating, thought-provoking, diaogue.  My goal is to be edgy and provocative but no matter what the subject matter, I will always be open, respectful, honest.

What I’m looking for:  Your open, respectful, honest opinions, ideas and thoughts.  I don’t want anyone to feel like they have to sugar coat or censor themselves here.  With that said...please go to my Blog Disclaimer (it's entertaining but it's also very legal) and then do you.

Topics of Discussion:  A little bit of this and a little bit of that, plus anything and everything in between!  This blog is not for the faint at heart so if you have thin skin or a weak stomach, are easily offended or have low self-esteem...be careful or keep it movin'!

Rules of engagement:  The only thing I ask is that everyone be respectful of the views of others.  We won’t like everything everyone says and we WILL disagree.  But everyone is welcomed here!  Unless of course you are a narrow-minded, hypocritical, predatory, malicious, uncouth, hateful, bigoted, vindictive, judgmental, disrespectful, mean-spirited jackass!  And you know who you are.  Please don’t make me cut you!

They don’t call me Stiletto Dagger for nothing!  Smooches!