Friday, January 18, 2008

I'm not (Black) like the rest of them

In the last couple of weeks I have noticed something interesting concerning race and two of the most well known people of color in America and the world for that matter. Recently a golf channel anchor woman made a remark about lynching in reference to Tiger Woods. Also recently Hillary and Bill Clinton seemed to go out of their way to interject race into the Democratic Presidential campaign.

The reactions of Tiger and Barack were amazingly similar. Both seemed to want to down play the incidents. Tiger said he wasn't bothered by the lynching remark and Barack quickly accepted explanations from the Clintons who said their remarks were misinterpreted.

I found it interesting how quickly both Tiger and the Senator wanted to get away from the race topic. Could it be that they both don't want to remind White Americans that they are Black or at least part Black?

What reasons would they have for trying to down play their respective Blackness? In Tigers case could money be the driving factor? I'm pretty sure White people spend more on golf than African Americans.

And for Senator Obama could it be he doesn't want to be known as the Black candidate?

If Tiger made a big deal of the lynching statement would that have tied him too closely with being Black? Did Barack and his camp fear showing outrage at the Clinton remarks would make White people say "yep he's just as Black as the rest of them"?

Is being Black or part Black a hindrance to them both in both their minds? Do Black people have to down play their Blackness to be accepted by Whites?

Obviously I don't have any direct knowledge as to why both Tiger and Barack seemed to handle these situations in such similar fashion. I can only speculate that each has been advised to not act (too) Black. That may mean not reacting to racist overtures and not being offended publicly by such incidents.

If what I think is true then will Barack Obama go out of his way if elected President to not seem too Black? Will he ignore Black issues as to not draw attention to his own Blackness?

What Tiger Woods does doesn't really concern me. However having a Black President who is shy about appearing Black or at least too Black does concern me.



What do you think? Was Barack Obama trying to down play his Blackness?



22 comments:

Lisa Johnson said...

Very interesting post. I really think that Barack knows he has to focus on the big picture and not get distracted. I really think that the Clintons are throwing out everything they can to distract him. He's too smart to let it get to him.

Now Tiger is another issue. I could be totally wrong, but I don't think that the remark bothered him, because I really don't believe he identifies as being black.

tasha212 said...

I think that Obama is in somewhat of a precarious position. He has to be careful not to alienate white voters. As for Tiger, he's not black, he's caublasian.

Tasha
www.thesowincircle.blogspot.com

Brown Girl Gumbo said...

I agree with the previous posters. I'm guessing that Obama doesn't want to focus on race (his) because he wants American voters to know that he will do what he feels is in the best interest of all races, not just African-Americans.

Anonymous said...

hmm, an additional question would be are we trying play UP the fact that barack is (part) black? with all the expectations placed upon him that go along with that.

in the end, the president of the united states should be a representative of ALL americans. to me, that means a qualified person from ALL of the groups that make up america should have a chance at holding that office, not that the person holding that office should be biased towards his/her sub-group.

that's why i also think it's legitimate to want to be "the candidate who is black" instead of "the black candidate".

Brianna said...

I think people too often put their own ideas on what "black" is and how black people should respond, act, say, do, etc. In the case of Tiger Woods, I would never imagine that he would have the same emotions or reactions as other Blacks might. First of all, he's mixed. That doesn't mean he necessarily should act one way or the other, but it does mean he has a lot of other influences and such that factor in. I think he focuses on just being Tiger and I think that's ok. Whatever he feels, however he identifies, is ok.

In the case of Barack, I think it's important that we don't lose sight of the fact that he is trying to become the president of the United States, not just any old black guy who gives his opinion on things. Whether or not that is his true, gut reaction is something we can't really know. If he really wasn't that bothered, I don't necessarily think that means he is downplaying his blackness because that would mean that all Blacks must think and react the same way and how can that be? We are still individuals and our feelings and emotions are compromised of more than just the fact that we're black, even though I'm sure that is a huge part of it. I have always had the impression that Barack is very secure with who he is. I think his goal first and foremost is to get elected and hopefully he can do that and not alienate people while still staying true to himself at the same time. Personally, I don't want this election to be about race, I would rather it be about the best person for the job. Personally, I think he is...and he's black. Bonus.

Dark & Stormy said...

I'm tired of hearing talk about Obama not addressing his "blackness" or not discussing race. What does that have to do with his being a qualified candidate?

Will the approval of only 12% of the U.S. population get him into office? If this were your typical white candidate, race would not be a topic. Why not? Is white not a race as well?

I also think that Obama nor Tiger really give a damn. Sure, the news anchor's comment is disturbing. But we are only 50+ years off Jim Crow's tail. Therefore, we [unfortunately] still expect comments from folks like Imus, O'Reilly, and Ms. Golf Channel.

Sometimes the most efficient way to kill is with kindness.

Anonymous said...

I totally agree with Anali's statement. . . I'm disappointed that the Clinton's are now throwing in the kitchen sink, but I'm not suprised. And, just from what I've seen of Tiger Woods' reactions in the past, I don't really think he gives a damn. . . not at all.

Tami said...

MDC,

Great minds think alike. I wrote about this today on my blog, but I did have a different perspective:

http://whattamisaid.blogspot.com/2008/01/do-you-boogie.html

I agree with several of the posters above. I think Obama CAN'T respond too vociferously to the Clinton's race-baiting, and still win the Dem nomination.

SheCodes said...

I think that Barack knows Black Americans much better than we think he does. He knew that we would explode all over Hillary, and cling to him over any whiff of racial bias. We would do all of the dirty work, and he will come out smelling like a rose.

It worked for him. Blacks are being cunningly played from both sides.

Mes Deux Cents said...

Anali,

I agree about Tiger. And the Clintons were desperate after Iowa. Expect more of the same if Barack wins in South Carolina.

_____________________________________

Tasha,

I'll never forget that cablinasian thing.
___________________________________

Brown Girl Gumbo,

I agree that seems to be his strategy. He is unchartered waters so it will be interesting to see how it plays out.
___________________________________

Trina,

Maybe but isn't that normal? Don't you think Italians are having similar conversations about Rudy and Mormons about Mitt?
___________________________________

Nick,

That is a terrible position to be in, trying not to alienate bigots.
___________________________________

Brianna,

I don't think we will be able to escape the race element in the campaign. This will be especially true if Barack continues to win in the primaries.

And I don't really have an idea of how he should react, I'm simply examining how he did react.

I certainly agree that a Black person should not be expected to react in a certain way.
____________________________________

Dark & Stormy,

First; I'm not people, I'm me and I'm in the process of figuring out who I want to vote for. That means, I will examine how Sen. Obama reacts in certain situations.

You say "If this were your typical white candidate, race would not be a topic. Why not? Is white not a race as well? "

My answer is don't you think Mormons are examining Mitt as to how Mormon his platform is. Don't you think Italians are examining Rudy in a similar fashion? And do you think so-called Hispanics were not examining Bill Richardson's "Hispanic - ness"?

Also don't you think feminists are examining how Hillary reacts to perceived attacks on her gender?

I think if Barack may become President it is legitimate to examine how he handles situations that involve race.

If Barack is loathe to discuss race now for fear of alienating some in the White community, what happens if he's elected?

If he is he will be looking toward re-election 4 years later. So will he spend those four years avoiding the topic?

I think these questions are just as legitimate as questioning Hillary Clinton's feminist credentials after she hooked up with misogynist Bob Johnson. Which I did in a previous post.
___________________________________

Lisa,

I think it (the Clintons attack) is going to get worse before it’s all over with.

Lol, I agree about Mr Woods.
___________________________________

Tami,

I left you a comment on your post.

___________________________________
___________________________________

Mes Deux Cents said...

SheCodes,

I think you are right about both sides tryng to play Black voters.

If Barack wins in South Carolina all heck is going to break loose.

Tami said...

MDC,

I forgot to say...I'm with you on Tiger, though. (smile)

I answered your comment on my blog.

Thembi Ford said...

After realizing that many bloggers that read your blog also read mine, I just had to come over here and am not at ALL dissapointed!

I think whats interesting here is that the slave descendant black person is not really fully represented by either Barack or Tiger, and the reaction that such a person may have to such an incident, considering what I learned from my parents about the things they went through at the hands of white supremacy and how they lived before finding each others brown selves (one from Bmore, one from Trenton, NJ), I am not surprised.

In no way do I want to diss Africans or mixed people, but I think they were just groomed a lil differently than I was when it comes to such incidents. I love seeing some color doing great things but this is a good example of the difference between 'race' and 'ethnicity'. Black is just your skin. I'm afraid that as a descendant of American slaves the legacy of white oppression in America has given me a bit more of an 'edge' than it has either of these guys.

Anonymous said...

Dear Mes Deux cents, could you tell me what is Blackness exactly?what it is "acting black" or "acting white"? What about individuals? Is everything you do in your life is related to your "blackness"? Do you have a "libre arbitre"? do you take your own decisions?
And if Obama becomes President I hope he won't forget black issues, hispanic issues,asian issues, gay issues,white issues,teachers issues,iraki issues,african issues,auto-maker issues,blue-collar issues, farmer issues,fishermen issues...and above all MANKIND ISSUES

ongonwou@yahoo.com

Mes Deux Cents said...

Thembi,

You make a great point about the difference between race and ethnicity.

I think more and more African America is broken up into ethnic groups based on such things as economics and education.

Also as you mention both Tiger and Barack have some what unique backgrounds that may make their world view some what different from the perceived standard.

Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
___________________________________

Poitou,

I really can't tell you what Blackness is in general since it is defined by each individual.

However in a political context, which is my reference in the piece, it means issues that are important to the African American community. Some of those issues are apparent such as education and family.

Also I make no reference to acting White or Black in my post.

It seems that you have not really grasped the question I ask in my post.

No one seems to mind if feminists analyze Hillary Clinton's reaction to attacks on her gender. But if someone tries to analyze Barack Obama's reaction to racial attacks all of a sudden it's a problem.

As you say if Senator Obama is elected he will be everyone's President, and that includes African Americans.

So just as I have taken a look at how Senator Clinton speaks about women's issues I will look at how Senator Obama speaks about issues important to me as an African American.

If you have a problem with that then I would assume you would have a problem with any group such as fisherman taking a look at each candidate based upon issues important to them.

Thanks for commenting.

poitou said...

Thanks for answering. I do agree with you I just do not understand the word"blackness". Or that "Obama is shy about appearing black??." And by the way Obama's mother is white, and when we listen to him he is also shy about appearing white.
But I get your point you are concerned about African-american issues and it is fair.
But my point is if he does not care enough about black issues, it is because his program on it is not clear or it is lacking a vision.Not because he scared to appear to be black.
Trust me everybody knows that Barack Obama is black and he knows that we know it.
And I answer to your question.From my point of view he is not trying to downplay his "blackness".

Ehav Ever said...

In terms of Obama and Tiger, I can actually relate to them a lot. I didn't grow in a totally black or white world view. That is one of the things I love about not living in America. I don't have to deal with its narrow views of identity, I could be me without that baggage of what others want in terms of skin color.

I used to get tired of people telling me I wasn't black enough as a kid, or I was downplaying my blackness as an adult because I didn't fit into their views of what being black meant, so I can totally identify with both Tiger and Obama.

In terms of downplaying blackness how exactly does a person "downplay" something like that? What EXACTLY does blackness mean to begin with? What is the accepted and uniform "black" response that Tiger and Obama are supposed to have? Where are such rules written and who wrote them?

At what point are people like Tiger and Obama defined by who they are and what they stand for, instead of the things that other people do or don't stand for? If Obama isn't black enough for some people they should just simply not vote for him, instead of trying to make live by their standards. If Tiger isn't black enough for people, they should just ignore him and leave him alone. Tiger has more than enough money and status to not have to be concerned with what people say. Same with Obama. Besides both men are made up of a number of ethnicities and world experiences. They can define themselves as what they want not what others want. The fact that they are still successful, being who they are is a sign of that.

In terms of Tiger I have never heard him downplay his ancestry. His father Earl Woods was of mixed African American, Chinese, and Native American ancestry. Tiger's mother Kultida Woods, originally from Thailand, is of mixed Thai, Chinese, and Dutch ancestry.

As far as I have seen Obama has never downplayed his Kenyan heritage. Besides if Obama wanted to identify himself as something, he could say he is Kenyan way before he chooses to call himself black, based on the American standard of what that word means. He still has family in Kenya that he is contact with, and he has also been involved in trying to help end the conflict in Kenya.

Mes Deux Cents said...

Ehav,

I think that you misunderstood the point of my post. If I wasn't clear then I apologize.

I think that when I use the word Blackness it has been misinterpreted.

The point of the post was to analyze Barack's reaction to a racist situation.

I think it's important to look at how he reacts to such things as it may be an indicator of how he would deal with these things should he win the Presidency.

I am not one of the people who have ever jumped on the "he's not Black enough" bandwagon.

I'm looking at his actions the same way I looked at Hillary using Bob Johnson as her spokesperson.

I think that is a good indicator that she does not have very good advisors with regard to the Black community.

Ehav Ever said...

Hey MDC,

Please don't misunderstand, I understand where you are coming from. No need to apologize. I think it is a very good question that needs to be asked, and it has many layers to it for people who are mixed or have family roots outside of the US.

I guess what I am saying is that both Obama and Tiger are in positions where the concept of "being black" may mean something completely different because of their ethnic makeups. There was an author on the Colbert Report last year who said that Obama wasn't black in the American traditional sense, thus people who vote for him really aren't voting for a black man. Her logic was that African Americans whose families were once slaves were black. Of course Colbert had a field day with that one.

Also, both men are in positions of power where "race" has a whole different set of circumstances. It is like I said earlier. Me living outside of the US, race takes on a completely different meaning than it did when I lived in the US.

I know if I were, for example, in Tiger's position I wouldn't worry about it. Especially, when at the end of the day those people who make those kind of statements end up having to apologize when they make such statements. The same for Obama, based on what the Clintons are doing it is having an affect on the Clintons. If I were him I would just let them bury themselves. Obama in one interview said something I found interesting. He said how it is strange that Hillery is focusing so much of her campaign on him instead of dealing with issues that affect the American people.

If I were Obama I would be glad that the Clintons are aligning themselves with shady individuals. The Clintons have a past of those kind of dealings. Just look at all the controversy that surrounded them when they were in the White House. If Obama really wanted to take a blow at them he could talk about their integrity issues.

I guess my second point though deals with what exactly is considered an acceptable response to racism? This is kind of a general question. The response in many cases varies based on social economic standing. A racist statement doesn't affect the rich the same way it does the middle class, or the way it affects the poor.

Mes Deux Cents said...

Ehav,

When a comment is made about lynching it isn't only about the person who it was directed toward. It's about the thousands of Black people in this country that suffered being lynched or the fear of.

So I think people are upset that Tiger is not even interested enough in Black America to speak out in those terms.

It really doesn't have anything to do with Tiger being personally offended.

Ehav Ever said...

Hey MDC,

I understand where you are coming from, but if it doesn't have anything to do with Tiger being personally offended then it shouldn't matter if he were offended or not offended. As I said before, when people get a certain status or money level there are just some things that they can choose not to be affected by. Especially if they don't live in an area where lynch mobs run rampent.

It is like I said about myself. I don't live in America so there are some things that are specific to America that no longer affect me. Some of them didn't affect when I lived in America, depending on where I lived.

Tiger may not even relate to the Black America side of things you are talking about. Besides Tiger's father was only half African American. This all depends on what he grew up with as his focus. What if he focuses in more on the Asian side of his heritage than the African American side? Where is it written that he has to have an interest in Black America? I think by now people should know where he stands on race. He made it clear when he said he was Cablacian, or however he put it. I also think he has been pretty consistane in his racial concerns, so people shouldn't be surprised at this point.

Besides we live in a generation that is somewhat becoming distanced from the events of lynch mobs and such. For example, I remember in the 90's when Ice Cube started a rap group called the Lynch Mob, and their symbol was a group of hands holding nooses, torches, etc. I don't remember very many complaints about that even when their album went gold.

All I am saying is that Tiger and Obama are both in situations where the American concept of what should or shouldn't bother then in terms of race doesn't have to fit unless they really want it to. This also depends on how they were brought up with the issues.

Don said...

Mes, stop starting stuff. lol.

MDC's Library

1720 Entertainment (1) 1983 DeTomaso Pantera (1) 2007 (1) 2007 Best Videos (1) 2007 Track and Field World Championships (4) 2007 WNBA Conference Finals (1) 2007 WNBA Finals (5) 2007 WNBA Western Conference Finals (1) 2007 World Track and Field Championships (1) 2008 Beijing Olympic Games (1) 2008 Grammy Awards (2) 2008 Presidential Race (28) 2008 Resolutions (1) 2008 Super Bowl (1) 3 A.M. (1) 3LW- No More (1) 59th Street Bridge (1) 7 Star Hotel (1) 7 Train (2) A Beautiful Face (2) A Beautiful Picture (131) A Cute Picture (1) A funny picture (2) A House is not a Home (1) A Rainy Day (1) A Raisin in the Sun (1) A Tribe Called Quest Leaders of the New School (1) A Week Of Positive Blogging (9) A-Ha - Take On Me (1) Aaliyah (7) Aaliyah - Christmas in Washington (1997) (1) Aaliyah We Miss You (1) Africa (1) African American Aviation (1) African American Churches (1) African American Enslavement (1) African American History (3) African American Men (1) African Americans and Cable T.V. (2) Agra (1) Airbus A380 (1) Al B. Sure - Nite And Day (1) Albuquerque (1) Alexander O'Neal and Cherelle - Saturday Love (1) Alice Smith (4) Alice Smith - Dream (Live) (1) Alicia Keys (7) Alicia Myers - I Want To Thank You (1) Allegory (1) Allyson Felix (3) AM Radio (1) Amazon.com (1) Amel Larrieux (2) America Ferrera (1) Amii Stewart - Knock on Wood (1) Amsterdam (2) Amtrak (1) Amy Winehouse (7) Amy Winehouse - Love Is A Losing Game (1) Amy Winehouse - Moody's Mood For Love (1) and Mary (1) And this is what I think about that... (1) Angel Lola Luv (2) Angela Bofill - I Try (1) Angela Y Davis (1) Angelina-Jolie (2) Antarctica (1) Arbor Day (1) Arc de Triomphe (2) Aresenio Hall (1) Aretha Franklin - Bridge Over Troubled Water (1) Aretha Franklin - Until You Come Back To Me (1) Arizona (1) Arrested Development - Tennessee (1) Art (3) Ask This Black Woman (1) Assata Shakur Part One (1) Assata Shakur Part Two (1) Astoria (1) Athletics (1) Atlanta (4) Attallah Shabazz (1) August 28 - 1963 (1) Australia (2) Autumn (1) Aviation (1) Bad Photoshopping (1) Balances By Nikki Giovanni (1) Bandy Bandy (1) Barack and Michelle (1) Barack Obama (11) Barak Obama (2) Barbara Mason - Another Man (1) Bart Simpson (1) Basia - New Day for You (1) Beautiful Earth (1) Beautiful Italy (1) Beautiful Moon Over Spain (1) Beautiful Photo (1) Beautiful Puerto Rico (1) Beautiful Rome (1) Before dawn (1) Being Prepared (1) Belgium (1) Ben Harper (1) Benazir Bhutto (2) Bermuda (1) Bessie Coleman (1) BET (1) BET/ Viacom (7) Beverly Johnson (1) BeyoncĆ© (1) Bill Clinton (1) Bill Cosby (1) Bill O'Reilly (1) Billary (3) Billet-doux (1) Billie Holiday (2) Bills (1) Billy Ocean - Caribbean Queen (1) Birthdays (1) Black and Green Flag (1) Black Blog Rankings (2) Black Fire White Fire (1) Black History Month (21) Black Sea (1) Black Women (3) Black Women Vote (1) Black Women's Roundtable (1) Black-Eyed Peas (1) BlackAndMarriedWithKids (1) Blogger Protest (3) Blogger Tag (4) Blogging (14) Blogging Break (1) Blogs I love (2) Blogs I Read (3) BlogTalkRadio (1) BOB (Bombs Over Baghdad) (1) Bob Marley (1) Bob Marley - Redemption Song (1) Bob Marley and The Wailers (1) Bobby Caldwell What You Won't Do For Love (1) Bobby Womack - If You Think You're Lonely Now (1) Bonnie Raitt - Something To Talk About (1) Books (3) Bora Bora French Polynesia (1) BoringBlackChick (2) Boston (3) Boycotts (1) Boz Scaggs - Lowdown (1) Brandy - I Wanna Be Down (1) Brasil (1) Breast Cancer (1) Brehat Island (1) Britney Spears (1) Brixton (1) Brooklyn Bridge (1) Browngirl (1) Brownstone (2) Brussels at Nightfall (1) Brussels Belgium at night (1) Bucky Done Gun (1) Buenos Aires At Night (1) Burj Al-Arab Hotel (1) Burqa (1) Bus (2) Bush Clinton Dynasty (2) C-Bank - One more shot (1) Cable T.V. (1) CafĆ© Society (1) California (3) California Attorney General (1) Calloway with The Nicholas Brothers - Jumpin' Jive (1) Cape Town SA (1) Cappie Pondexter (6) Carnival (2) Cathay Williams (1) CBS Corp. (1) Celia Cruz (1) Cell Phones (1) Central Park at Night (1) Chaka Khan (1) Champagne (1) Champs-ElysĆ©es (1) Change featuring Luther Vandross - The Glow Of Love (1) Character Corner (2) Charles Barkley (1) Charlotte - North Carolina (1) Cheaters (1) Chemotherapy (1) Cheryl Lynn - Encore (1) Chesapeake Bay Bridge (1) Chic - I Want Your Love (1) Chicago (2) Chicago at night (1) China (3) China's Support Of Genocide In Dafur (2) Chris Isaac - Wicked Game (1) Chrisette Michelle (1) Christina Aguilera - Beautiful (1) Christine Arron (1) Christine Beatty (1) Christmas (8) Christmas Day (2) Christmas Music (3) Christmas Party (1) Christopher Williams - I'm Dreamin' (1) Chubb Rock - Treat 'em Right (1) Chudney Ross (1) Church (1) Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (1) Ciara - Get Up (1) Cindy Blackman (1) Cities (2) Cities I like (1) Clear Channel Communications (1) Cloned Meat (1) Club Nouveau - Why you treat me so bad (1) College (1) Colonel Abrams -Trapped (1) Color Preference Test (1) Comment War (1) Comments (2) Common Sense (1) Community (1) Conflict (1) Consumerism (1) Conya Doss (1) Cora Brown (1) Corinne Bailey Rae (1) Corinne Bailey Rae - Like A Star (1) Corrine Bailey Rae (1) Costa Rica (1) Country Music (1) Courtney and Angela (1) Crazy Comments (1) Creedence Clearwater Revival - Bad Moon Rising (1) Crime (1) Cristal champagne (1) Cuba (2) Culture (1) Cynda Williams - Harlem Blues (1) Cynthia Tucker (2) Dallas (2) Dana Owens (1) Dance Theatre of Harlem (1) Dance Thursday Rerun with the Lockers (1) Dance Thursday The Challenge - Gregory Hines and Sammy Davis (1) Darfur (1) Das Efx - They Want Efx (1) dave brubeck take five (1) Dave Matthews Band - Crash Into Me (1) De La Soul - Me (1) DeBarge - Stay With Me (1) Debit Card (1) Debra Laws with Ronnie Laws - Special (1) Deele - Two Occasions (1) Delaware State University (1) Delegates Count (1) Dennis Edwards - Don't Look Any Further (1) Dennis Kucinich (1) Denroy Morgan - I'll Do Anything for You (1) Denzel (3) Deon Estus (1) Destiny's Child (1) Detroit (1) Detroit Shock (1) Dexter Gordon (1) Diana and Flo (1) Diana Taurasi (2) Did you know (1) Dionne Farris - Hopeless (1) Dionne Warwick (1) DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince - Summertime (1) DJ Kool - Let Me Clear My Throat (1) DjennĆ© (1) Donny Hathaway - This Christmas (1) Dorothy Dandridge (1) Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band - Sunshower (1) DST (1) Dubai (1) DĆ¼sseldorf by Night (1) Economy (1) Ecuador (1) Eddie Murphy (1) Eddy Grant - Electric Avenue (1) Edmonia Lewis (1) Edwyn Collins - A Girl Like You (1) Egypt (1) Ehav Ever (1) Eiffel from the Seine River (1) Elaine Brown (1) Electronic Village (3) email (1) En Vogue - Hold On (1) Enigma - Sadness (1) Enya - Orinoco Flow (1) Erykah Badu (2) ESPN (1) Essence (1) Essential Presence (5) Ethiopia (2) Etienne Aigner (1) EurWeb.com (1) Eve - Tambourine (1) Evelyn "Champagne" King - Betcha She Don't Love You (1) Exploitation (1) Fabulous Is A Choice (1) Faith Evans - You Used To Love Me (1) Fall (1) Fall Fashion (1) Falling In Love (1) FAME (1) Family (1) Fashion (1) Faux - Heterosexuality (1) FCC (1) Feelings (1) Fiji Islands (2) File (1) Film (3) Final Post For Now (1) Finding Jesus (1) Five Questions (1) Five Star - Let Me Be the One (1) Flashdance (1) Flava Flav (1) Flea Markets (2) Floetry (1) Floods Across Africa (1) FM Radio (1) Fog (2) Fond Memories (1) Fonda Rae - Over Like a Fat Rat (1) Food (3) Food Recall (1) Force MD's - Tender Love (1) France (2) Frances Ellen Watkins Harper (2) Frank (1) Frankie Crocker (1) Frankie Smith - Double Dutch Bus (1) Freddie Jackson - Rock Me Tonight (1) Freetown Christiania (1) Frida Kahlo (1) Friday Rare Groove: Chuckii Booker - Turned Away (1) Friday Rare Groove: Joyce Sims - All and All (1) Friendship (2) Fruit (1) Fugees (2) Gene Anthony Ray (1) General Electric (1) Genocide (1) George Bush (2) George Kranz - Din Da Da (1) Germany (1) Gibson Brothers - Cuba (1) Giovanca -Joyride (1) Girls (1) Giving (1) Glamour Magazine (1) Global Warming (1) Goapele (1) Goapele - Closer (1) Golden Globes (1) Good Morning America (1) GOP (1) Government (5) Grace Jones - Pull Up To The Bumper (1) Greece (1) Greenwich Village (1) Gregory Abbott - Shake You Down (1) Groceries (1) Groove Theory (1) Gulf of Tonkin (1) Gwen Guthrie - It Should Have Been You (1) Gwen Stefani (1) Hair (1) Halifax (1) Hall and Oates - I Can't Go For That (No Can Do) (1) Halle Berry (1) Halloween (1) Hanukkah (1) Happiness (1) Happy Birthday Aaliyah... (1) Happy New Year 2008 (2) Harajuku Girls (1) Harajuku Station (1) Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes (1) Harper's Bazaar Japan (1) Havana (1) Havana Cuba (2) HBCU (2) Heaven Help Me (1) heteronyms (1) heterophones (1) HickTownPress (1) Highland Ave (1) Hillary Clinton (5) Hip Hop (2) Hip Hop Be Bop (Don't Stop) (1) Hippies (1) Historic Moments (1) Holiday (3) Holland (1) Hollywood Blvd (1) Hollywood CA (1) Home (2) Homeland Security (1) HomelandColors (2) Homophones (1) Hong Kong At Night (2) Hootie And The Blowfish - Hold My Hand (1) Hope That We Can Be Together Soon (1) House Party - Dance off: Kid and Play (Music: Ain't My Type Of Hype - Full Force) (1) Houses (1) Human League - Don't You Want Me Baby (1) Hurricane Katrina (1) Hwy 101 (1) I Am Legend (1) I Hate Rap Rant (1) I have a question (3) I hope (1) I Love Music (1) I smell the 80's (1) I Want This (1) Ibiza Spain (1) Iceland (1) Idioms (1) If you love me (1) IFC (1) Imagination - Just an Illusion (1) Iman (1) Indai.Arie (1) Indeep - Last Night A DJ Saved My Life (1) India (1) Indian Ocean (1) Inner City - Big Fun (1) Inner Life - I'm caught up (1) Interesting Music (1) Interesting Photo (1) Interestingness (1) Iowa (2) ipod (3) Iran (1) Irene Morgan Kirkaldy (1) Isiah Thomas (1) Isla Verde Beach (1) It's In The eyes (1) It's Ndel's World; You're Just Reading It (1) Italy (1) itunes (1) Jackie Moore - This Time Baby (1) Jade - Don't Walk Away (1) Jamaica (1) James "D-Train" Williams- Keep On (1) James Brown Lyrics - Say It Loud (I'm Black and I'm Proud) (1) Jamiroquai - Space Cowboy (1) Janelle MonĆ”e (1) Janet Jackson - Rhythm Nation (1) January 16 (1) Japan (1) Jay Z (1) jazzfm (1) Jazzyfatnastees (1) Jean Baylor (1) Jean-Michel Basquiat (1) Jeb Bush In 2012 (1) Jeff Goldblum (1) Jena6 (1) Jennifer Beals (2) Jermaine Jackson - Do What You Do (1) Jermaine Stewart - Word is Out (1) Jimmy Jam (1) Jimmy Scott (1) Joan Armatrading (5) Joan Armatrading - Love And Affection (1) Jody Watley Still a Thrill (1) Joe Public - Live and learn (1) Joe Ski Love - Pee Wee Dance (1) Joffrey Ballet (1) John Coltrane (2) John Edwards (1) John Howard Payne (1) John Legend Corinne Bailey Rae (1) John McCain (1) John Wayne (1) Johnny Was (1) Jonathan Butler - Lies (1) Jr. (1) Jr. from the film Tap (1) Juanita Bynum (1) Judge Hatchett (1) Juneteenth (1) Junior - Mama Used To Say (1) JURNEE SMOLLETT (1) Justice (1) Justin D. Ross (1) Kamala Harris (1) Kano - I'm Ready (1) Karen Alexander (1) Karen Young - Hot Shot (1) Karyn White featuring Babyface - Love Saw It (1) Kashif and Meli'sa Morgan - Love Changes (1) Kathleen Neal Cleaver (1) Kauai Hawaii (1) keith sweat - Make it Last Forever feat Jackie McGhee (1) Kelis - Caught Out There (1) Kenya (2) Keyshia Cole (1) KFC (1) Kiva (1) Kraftwerk - Trans Europe Express (1) Kuala Lumpur (1) Kuala Lumpur Malaysia (1) Kumari Fulbright (1) Kwanzaa (1) La Flavour - Mandolay (1) Labor Day (1) Laguna Beach (1) Lake Como (1) Lake Michigan (1) Lake Powell (1) Las Vegas Nevada (1) Latin Quarter (1) Lauren Hill (1) Lauryn Hill (2) Lauryn Hill - Little Drummer Boy (1) Law Enforcement (1) Led Zeppelin (1) Led Zeppelin - All My Love (1) Ledisi (2) Leela James (1) Leela James - Music (1) Left Eye (1) Lennox Lewis (1) Lenny Kravitz (2) Lenny Kravitz - Are you Gonna go my way featuring Cindy Blackman on Drums (1) Les Champs-ƉlysĆ©es (1) Les Nubians (1) Lily Allen (1) Link-O-Rama (22) Lisa Bonet (2) Lisa Fischer - How Can I Ease The Pain (1) Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam - Lost in Emotion (1) Lisa Stansfield - All Around The World (1) Lisbon Portugal (1) List (1) Lists (3) Live Concert (2) Living Out Loud (1) Liya Kebede (3) LL Cool J - I Need Love (1) Local News (1) Local Radio (1) Locavore (1) London (2) Long lost Friends (1) Loose Ends - Slow down (1) Lorraine Hansberry (1) Los Angeles at night (1) Los Angelista's Guide To The Pursuit Of Happiness (2) Love (2) Love De-Luxe - Here comes that sound (1) Love is alosing game (1) LTD - (Everytime I Turn Around) Back In Love Again (1) Luther Vandross (5) Luther Vandross - Your Secret Love (1) Lydia Abarca (1) M.I.A. (Maya Arulpragasam) (1) M|A|R|R|S - Pump Up the Volume (1) Machine (1) Madison (1) Mahalia Jackson - Amazing Grace (1) Major Harris (1) Major Robert Henry Lawrence (1) Malcolm and Betty (1) Malcolm and Martin (1) Malcolm Mclaren - Buffalo Girls (1) Mali (1) Man Parrish (1) March on Washington (1) Mardi Gras (1) Mariah Carey - Vision of Love (2) Mariah Carey - We Belong Together (1) Marion Jones (4) Marlena Shaw (2) Marshall Jefferson - Move your Body (1) Martha's Vineyard (1) Martin and Coretta (1) Martin Laurence (1) Martinique (1) Marvin Gaye (1) Mary J Blige - Just Fine (1) Mary J. Blige (1) Matisyahu (1) Matisyahu King Without A Crown (Live At Stubb's) (1) Maui (1) Mauritius (1) Mavericks Surf Contest (1) Maxi Priest - Close to you (1) Maxwell - Ascension (Don't Ever Wonder) (1) Maze (1) Maze featuring Frankie Beverly - Joy and Pain (1) MC Hammer (1) MC Lyte - Lyte As A Rock (1) McFadden and Whitehead - Aint No Stopping Us Now (1) MDC Dictionary (1) Me (1) Media (15) Media hearings Negative Depictions of African American Women (1) Mel and Kim - Showing Out (1) Mes Deux Cents (1) Meseret Defar (1) Meshell Ndegeochello (1) Mexico (1) MFSB - Love Is The Message (1) Miami at night (1) Michael Jackson (1) Michael Jackson - Ben (1) Michael Vick (3) Midnight Star - Curious (1) Milan - Italy (1) Milli Vanilli - Blame It On The Rain (1) Minnie Riperton - Memory Lane (1) Minority relations (1) Minstel Show (1) Missing African American Women (7) Missing Persons (2) Mitt Romney for President (2) MLK (2) MLK Day (6) Mo Better Blues (1) Models (1) Mombasa (1) Monday (1) Money (2) MontrĆ©al (1) Montreal in autumn clothes (1) Moody's Mood for Love (1) Morehouse College (1) Mormons and Blacks (1) Morning (1) Morocco (1) Mothers (1) Mount Fuji (1) Mount Kilimanjaro (1) Mr Softie Ice Cream (1) MrsGrapevine (2) MSNBC (1) MTV (1) Music (9) Music Downloads (1) Music Saturday (11) Musical Youth - Pass The Dutchie (1) My Orchid (2) My Original Writing (5) Myself and I (1) N.Y. Giants (2) N.Y.C (6) NAACP (2) Nailah Franklin (5) Nancy Sinatra (1) Nashville (1) Natalie Merchant (1) Natalie Merchant - Carnival (1) Natasha Bedingfield - Unwritten (1) National Secretaries Day (1) Native Americans (1) Natural Disaster (1) NBA (1) NBC (1) Negative Depictions Of Women Of Color (3) Negative Propaganda (2) Nena - 99 Luftballoons (1) Neo-Soul (1) Netherlands (1) Neutrogena Hand Cream (1) New Black Woman (1) New Edition - Boys to Men (1) New England Patriots (1) New Hampshire (1) New Jack City (1) New Jersey (1) New Jersey Turnpike (1) New Mexico (1) New Release (1) New York Citi Peech Boyz Don't Make Me Wait (1) New York City (3) News (11) News Corp. (1) NFL (1) Niagara Falls (2) Nicole Willis (2) No Woman No Cry (1) Nokulunga Buthelezi (1) Norah Jones (3) Notable Quotables (2) Nova Scotia (2) NPR (6) Nu Shooz I Can't Wait (1) NYC (2) O.J. Simpson (1) Odds and Ends (1) Odin (1) Offensive Cable Programming (1) Olbrich Gardens (1) Oleta Adams - Get Here (1) On Beauty (1) On Blogging (1) On... (18) One Of My Favorite People (4) Oprah (3) Orchids (3) Oregon (1) Oscars (1) OutKast (1) P.M. Dawn - Set Adrift On Memory Bliss (1) Paganism (1) Palindromes (1) Panic (1) Paris (9) Passion (2) Patrick Hernandez - Born to be alive (1) PBS (3) PCH (1) Peace On Earth (1) Pebbles - Mercedes Boy (1) Personal Day (1) Pet Shop Boys - West End Girls (1) PETA (1) Peter Brown - Do You Wanna Get Funky With Me? (1) Petronas Towers (2) Pfc. LaVena Johnson (1) Phalaenopsis Orchid (2) Phoenix Mercury (1) Photo Art (2) Photo Art Friday (3) Phyllis Hyman (5) Places I Would Like To Visit (1) Poetry (3) politics (3) Pookie (1) Pop and Politics (1) Pop Quiz (2) Portland (1) Portugal (1) Press play (2) Protest (4) Public Transportation (1) Puerto Rico (1) Purple Sky (1) Q1 Review (1) Queen Latifah (1) Queens (1) Questions (1) Quincy Jones - The Secret Garden (1) quizzes (1) Quotes (2) R and B (1) Racism (1) Radio (2) Radio Announcer (1) Radio D.J. New York City (1) Rainforest (1) Raising Victor Vargas (1) Ralph Nader (1) Rap Music (2) Rap Video Vixens (1) Ray Parker Jr - A Woman Needs Love (1) Re Posts (1) Reading (1) Ready for the World - Love You Down (1) Ready or Not (1) Ready To Wear (1) Really stupid people (1) Rebbie Jackson - Centipede (1) Recommended Viewing (5) Reginald Hudlin (1) Relationships (2) Religion (1) RenĆ© Syler (1) repost (1) Revolutionary Women (1) Rick Astley - Never Gonna Give You Up (1) Righteous Brothers - Unchained Melody (1) Rihanna (2) Rio de Janeiro (3) Rio de Janeiro at night (1) Rissi Palmer (1) Robert Palmer - Addicted To Love (1) Roberta Flack Donny Hathaway (1) Robin Roberts (1) Rock (1) Rockefeller Center (1) Rockers Revenge - Walking On Sunshine (1) Rockwell - Somebody's Watching Me (1) Roll (1) Roy Ayers - Everybody Loves The Sunshine (1) Roy Ayers - Running Away (1) Rudy Giuliani (1) Rupert Holmes - Escape (The PiƱa Colada Song) (1) Rutgers (2) Saartjie Baartman (1) Sade Adu (5) Saint John Coltrane Church (1) Sally-Ann Roberts (1) Samoa (1) San Diego (1) San Diego At Night (1) San Francisco (4) San Francisco at night (1) San Juan (1) Santa Barbara (1) Santa Cruz (1) santorini Island (1) SƃO PAULO (1) Sapiosexual (1) Sarita Choudhury (2) Sasha Bratz (1) Saving (1) Scary Spice Mel B (1) schools (1) Scotland (1) Seals and Crofts - Summer Breeze (1) Seattle at Night (2) Secret Weapon - Must Be The Music (1) Self Destruction (1) Seoul at Night (1) Seychelles (1) Shalamar - Night to Remember (1) Sheila E - A Love Bizarre (1) Sheila Escovedo (1) Shirley Bassey (1) Shopping (2) Sideways (1) Silvercup Studios (1) Simon and Garfunkel - The Boxer (1) Sisters from other mothers (1) Skate (1) Slavery (1) Slick Rick - Children's Story (1) Sly and the Family Stone - Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) (1) smart car (1) Snap - The Power (1) Snow - Informer (1) Social Commentary (1) Social life (1) Songs For MLK Day (4) Songs I Love (209) Sony Television (1) Sophie Okonedo (1) Soul II Soul - Back To Life (1) Soulsonic Force feat. Afrika Bambaataa - Planet Rock (1) South Carolina (1) Soylent Green (1) Spain (1) Special Ed - I Got It Made (1) Special Videos (3) Spelman College (1) Spike Lee (1) Sports (10) Spring (1) St. Valentine's Day (7) Staceyann Chin (1) Starpoint - Object Of My Desire (1) Stepha Henry (1) Stephanie Mills - (You're Putting) A Rush On Me (1) Stetsasonic - Sally (1) Steve Fossett (1) Steve Miller Band - The Joker (1) Stoney Jackson (1) Strafe - Set it off (1) Strait of Hormuz (1) Studies About African America (1) Stuff (4) Subway Stories (1) Summer Rain (1) Sumner Redstone (3) Sunday Fun (1) Sunrise (1) Sunset (1) Super Tuesday (1) Superbowl (1) Surface - Closer Than Friends (1) Suriname (1) Susan Cagle (1) Svörtuloft (1) Sweden (1) Swin Cash (2) Swing Out Sister - Breakout (1) Symphony (1) Syracuse (1) Taj Mahal (1) Talented People I Like (2) Tales from the bus (2) Tanzania (1) Taral Hicks (1) Tears for water by Alicia Keys (1) Tech (1) Teena Marie - Behind The Groove (1) Tel Aviv-Yafo (1) Television (1) Tell Me (1) TEN CITY - DEVOTION (1) Terence Trent D'Arby (Sananda Maitreya) - Wishing Well (1) Terri Lynn Carrington (1) Terror Alerts (1) Terry Lewis (1) test (1) Tevin Campbell - Can We Talk (1) Thanksgiving (2) The 1985 Chicago Bears - The Super Bowl Shuffle (1) The Bevery Hillbillies (1) The Blackbyrds - Walking in Rhythm (1) The Blog Report (5) The Brothers Johnson - Land of Ladies (1) The Daily Voice (1) The Eiffel Tower at night (1) The Family - Screams of Passion (1) the FDA (1) The Fillmore (1) The Four Seasons (1) The Great Barrier Reef (1) The Great Mississippi Flood Of 1927 (1) The Happy Go Lucky Bachelor. Aaron McGruder (1) The Human Race (2) The Isley Brothers Voyage To Atlantis (1) The Jones Girls - You Gonna Make Me Love Somebody Else (1) The Neville Brothers (1) The Nile (1) The Police (1) The Roots - The Seed 2.0 (1) The Scream by Edvard Munch (1) The Shades of Love - Keep in Touch (Body To Body) (1) The Stylistics - People Make The World Go Round (1) The Supremes - Merry Christmas (1) The System - You Are In My System (1) The Twin Towers (1) The U.S. from space (1) The Ukraine (1) The Walt Disney Company (1) The Whispers - And The Beat Goes On (1) The White Stripes - Icky Thump (1) Then and Now (2) There But For The Grace of God Go I (1) There is no place like home (1) These Boots Are Made For Walkin' (1) Thompson Twins - Lies (1) Thoughts (73) Tiger Woods (1) Time Inc (1) TimeWarner (1) Timex Social Club - Rumors (1) TLC Unpretty (1) TLC - No Scrubs (1) Toledo Spain (1) Tom Ridge (1) Toni Braxton - Unbreak My Heart (1) Toronto at night (1) Toulouse (1) Track and Field (5) Tradition Of Excellence (1) Training Day (1) Transistor Radio (1) Travelling (2) Trinidad and Tobago (1) Try Again (1) Tupac Changes (1) Turks and Caicos (1) TV Theme Songs (1) Twofer Tuesday (4) Twofer Tuesday: Battle of the Classic Slow Jams - Reasons vs. Love T.K.O (1) Twofer Tuesday: Chaka Khan vs. Mary J Blige - Sweet Thing (1) Twofer Tuesday: I Shot The Sheriff : Bob Marley vs. Eric Clapton (1) Twofer Tuesday: I'll be there - Mariah vs. Michael (1) Twofer Tuesday: Lauryn Hill vs. Roberta Flack (1) Twofer Tuesday: Love Won't Let Me Wait - The Original or The Cover (1) Tyler Perry (1) U.S. Army Cover - Up (1) UCONN (1) Ugly Betty (1) Unbelievably sarcastic post (1) Undercover Black Man (2) Unknown Location (3) USA Today (1) Utah (1) Van Hool (1) Van Morrison Moondance (1) Vancouver BC (1) Varadero Cuba (1) Vaughn Mason and Crew - Bounce (1) Vegetarianism (1) Venice Italy At Night (1) Vermont (1) Veronica Cambell (1) Veronica Webb (2) Veterans Day (1) Viacom (3) Vicente Guerrero (1) Vikter Duplaix - Make A Baby (1) Violence Against African American Women (2) Violence Against Women Of Color (2) Violence On Campus (1) Virgin Islands (1) Vivaldi (1) Volkswagen (1) Volvo C30 (1) Vote (1) Wacky Wednesday: Songs with "I Like" in the tittle (1) Wanderlust (1) Waris Dirie (2) Washington Square Park (4) What About Our Daughters (4) What Black Men Think (1) What Columnists are Saying (3) What I'm Listening To This Week (3) What I'm Listening To This Weekend (1) What I'm Listening To Today (63) What I'm Watching This Weekend... (1) What I'm Watching Today (2) What Tami Said (4) What The.... File (2) What's Going On (1) Where is the Love (1) White castle (1) White Rap Music Buyers (1) Who Killed Benazir Bhutto? (1) Who Knew (1) Whodini - Big Mouth (1) Why Black Women Are Angry (1) Will and Jada (1) Will Smith (1) Willow (1) Window Shopping (1) Winter Solstice (1) Wisconsin (1) Wish feat. Fonda Rae - Touch me (all night long) (1) WNBA (4) WNBA Conference Finals (2) WNBA Finals (1) WNBA MVP (1) Woman's European Athelete Of The Year (1) Women (1) Women Leaders (1) Women's Sports (2) Word... (1) Words (5) work (2) Yaz Situation (1) Zanzibar (1) Zap Mama (2) Zhane' (1) Zoe Kravitz (1)

About Me

West Coast, United States
African American, Poet?, Vegetarian, Music lover, Agoraphobic, Social Phobic

My Favorite Poet

My Favorite Poet
Staceyann Chin

My Favorite Track Athlete

My Favorite Track Athlete
Christine Arron