An Educator's Aid?

So, I was in my hometown of Rochester, New York (Jigga Voice: "The Roc") this past weekend. There was a discussion on the radio regarding a new item added to the Rochester School District's Summer Reading list. None other than Currrrtttttiiissss Jackson aka “50 Cent” is the author of the book. Rapper 50 Cent's book, From Pieces to Weight, recounts his early life in the New York City drug trade in the same language that characterizes his music. The book was added to the reading list in an effort to increase teen reading with more "interesting" subject matter and teach on the "black experience." The conversation went on to discuss another book that made the cut a few years back, The Coldest Winter Ever by Sista Soulja.

Now as much as I LOVED Sista Soulja's book and will do a 2 step with a twist to "It's Your Birthday" for the next 20 birthdays to come...Umm, really, I wouldn't want my daughter to read those books at a young age. There are tons of MODERN books that teach of the black experience that I'd prefer her to read. This act makes me think that the powers that be feel that in order for something to be about the "black experience" it has to be something negative. As for my friends, and me we've moved beyond the Donald Goines tails and "True to the Game" books to The Help, Standing at the Scratch Line, and What you owe me. Hollywood has gone from The Mack (70s) and Menace (90s) to The Best Man, The Pursuit of Happiness and Why Did I Get Married! Let's continue to move forward is all I'm screaming :-)

Readers, now, I've been told that I have semi-conservative views at times. I just feel that there should always be SOME standard in place. If you have no rules or if you continue to stretch things from the norms it just makes room for further stretching in years to come. Twenty years ago you didn't hear curse words on TV and radio. Now you can say certain curse words on primetime TV and radio. So, when my 2 year old turns 20 you may hear the weather man say "It's cold as a B*tch outside!" :-)

So readers, what do you think? Are these types of "changes" good? Should old fashion people like me try and understand that as time changes so should our approach? Your thoughts?

Talk to me people....

White Privilege?

A very good Soror-Friend and I took my daughter to a toddler park in a upper middle-class area of Washington, DC this past weekend. From our standpoint, the kids were kind of mean and didn’t wish to play with my daughter. Additionally, they’d push her or aggressively push her hand away if she attempted to play with them. The parents witnessed their older children mistreat my 17 month old without saying one word in her defense. I rescued my child from each situation (it happened at least 5 times), however, no conversation with the “quiet” watching parent ensued. Later, I realized it was because I didn't want to be viewed as the “angry black woman” at the predominately white park. So, instead I diverted my daughter's attention to other things or I played in the sandbox with her. This situation brought me and my Soror-Friend back to an article that she'd sent me a few years ago entitled, “White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible knapsack.”

A quick summary of the article:

The author, a white female, came to the realization that racism is more a system versus an act(s) of meanness. She realized that most white people don’t realize that this “system” is in place, therefore their oppressiveness is unconscious. She calls this idea “white privilege.” She feels that this white privilege is basically a bunch of assumptions that were passed on to her as a white person. She states that as her racial group was being made confident, comfortable, and oblivious, other groups (ie. black/brown people) were likely being made unconfident, uncomfortable, and alienated. She began to count the ways in which she enjoyed unearned skin privilege as a white person.

She lists over 40 items. I’ve chosen a few that I think scream at the experiences that I’ve had. (These are written from the point of view of Peggy who is not a person of color.)

Daily Effects of White Privilege:

1. I can do well in a challenging situation without being called a "credit" to my race

2. I can go shopping alone most of the time, pretty well assured that I will not be followed or harassed.

3. I can turn on the television or open to the front page of the paper and see people of my race widely represented.

4. When I am told about our national heritage or about "civilization," I am shown that white people made it what it is.

5. I can be sure that my children will be given curricular materials that testify to the existence of their race.

6. I can be pretty sure of having my voice heard in a group in which I am the only member of my race.

8. I can swear, or dress in second hand clothes, or talk with my mouth full, without having people attribute these choices to the bad morals, the poverty or the illiteracy of my race.

9. If a traffic cop pulls me over or if the IRS audits my tax return, I can be sure I haven't been singled out because of my race.

10. I can go home from most meetings of organizations I belong to feeling somewhat tied in, rather than isolated, out-of-place, outnumbered, unheard, held at a distance or feared.

I loved this article. I always hear the term “institution of racism,” however, I don’t think I ever realized the concept of white privilege and how it has an immediate adverse impact to my life as a person of color. I swear #1 , #10, and #6 really hit home for me

So, after reading this blog and/or the article. Do you agree with this? If you’re a person of color, does this open your eyes to a white privilege that you were also “taught” not to recognize? Do you have any to add to this list that were on Peggy’s list and I chose not to highlight in this blog or do you have any that even Peggy may have missed? Did any of these hit home for you?

Aging with grace......

*Singing*
I'll take your man whenever I feel like it
This ain't a threat or a bet, it's a dayum promise
From me to you, your sex life threw
If you get anotha lova, I'll take him, too

This weekend 9 of my DC area girls and I went to the "Freshe Fest" concert. The concert featured old school greats from Dougie Fresh to Big Daddy Kane. I was super excited about this event that would essentially take me back to my elementary school days! It was a fantabulous time! Dougie Fresh is a BEAST on the stage. I enjoyed him the most. For the most part, they were 40-something energetic crowd pleasers! I got a 2nd workout in as we danced in our row from the time we arrived UNTIL Salt N Pepa hit the stage........

Salt N Pepa, mainly Pep, didn't come there to give us the 80s party that we desired. Pep came on the stage with my 1 year old daughter's skirt on! Seriously, you can't do the Push it dance in that skirt. You know, the dance where you shimmy backwards, touch the ground, and then shimmy back up. So, as I took my seat bored from watching them walk the stage and scream out 80s trite hip hop cliches (Just wave your hand in the air; somebody, everybody scream), I realized that Pep is a mess because she's trying to be 25 while dude from Whodini ROCKED it and showed us his knee brace. The men accept their age and do things THEIR way. Pep doesn't seem to accept that she's 40+ and is trying to do things like Beyonce or somebody..but can't hang! Bey would've done the "push it" dance IN her mini skirt and stilettos! Ha!

So, I know that was a long intro but are there certain things that we just need to give up when we hit a certain age?

Here is my list of things you should give up once you hit 30 or have children or get married, whichever comes first.

1. Cornrows! - I'd like to set the age limit for men in cornrows to 5 but I don't want to get cussed out by the 30 years olds still walking around with them. CUT THOSE THINGS OFF PLEASE! I beg of you!
2. Dreams to make it to the NBA or NFL
3. Living on a college Dorm - Someone that I know was talking about going back to school and living in a dorm and he's in his late 20s. Seriously?
4. Listening and/or reciting the lyrics to any song featuring Gucci Mane, Wocka Flocka Flame, or Soulja Boy. (4.5 - I like Trey but umm, I'm adding "LOL Smiley Face" to this list!)
5. Sporting Jeans with apples on the butt after obtaining a real job!
6. Man Bags - I'm setting the limit on this to men with a 12 month old or younger child and that bag better have some diapers and wipes in it!
7. Only ordering things on a menu that you've had before! Once you hit 25, lets branch out and try new things. Go ahead, put the chicken fingers down and try something new! You just may like it.

Hey, if I think of more than 7 then you may not think of any to add..... :-)

So, readers, tell me what you'dl ike to add to that "Oh Heck to De Naw, he/she is 30!" list