The following blog is not meant to demean or offend any one of any race. It is solely an opinionated piece written with the pure intent of questioning curious behaviors and potentially identifying ways to improve our current status as citizens.
-Ced
On Monday night, Black dignitaries, hood chicks, college students, and celebrities alike tune in to another "rousing" edition of Regression and Hip Hop. Am I judgmental? Absolutely. It pains me seeing my friends, cast, family, girlfriend, coworkers (shall I continue?) discuss that (Bernie Mac voice) BUHHLLL...
I digress.
A little over a week ago, I wrote a blog titled "Dear White Friends: More Things to Bridge the Gap". The post highlighted vital information (with Lori Beth Denberg, not the dude from "Pete and Pete") that people of the Causcasian race should know about African-Americans, in an effort to improve dialogue and interactions between the races. After doing so comments flew in, with the blog receiving a mostly positive response. This prompted me to speak directly to my own people; not specifically about any other race, but more so ourselves. While Blacks nationwide are experiencing financial, political, and social success previous generations could only dream of, there are many issues that we need to shore up. Between the murders, poverty, and absurd rates of incarceration, dropouts, and HIV contractions, we have much to talk about. As many of you may (or may not) know, many of these larger issues stem from less stressful scenarios that are not resolved early. Today we will highlight a few of these situations and challenge ourselves; let's analyze and attack them in hopes of, as our late actor Sherman Helmsley would ask, "moving on up". Please note, I am opening this to members of the Latin-American community, specifically my Puerto Rican and Dominican family. This is a result of our sharing of communities and admiration for Hip Hop Music; also, Spanish people are the only outside race African Americans truly tolerate the other gender dating. I'd never try a "Joann", but if "Juana" loved me, it'd be worth a shot (Just kidding, Chi-Town.)
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| We saw this hairstyle at Pennsbury all the time. Commenting doesn't mean I'm a hater; she's got skills. |
"Observation", "Advice", and "Suggestions" are also not hate. Have you ever seen this type of statement on Facebook or Twitter?
"B$%^es ain't ish and they ain't saying nothing...Hate all you want, you're just mad becuz you ain't me. #Hatersaremymotivators"
Whaaa....What the hell does that mean? 1.) There's only like 70 Black People Worldwide that TRULY get hated on...Obama, LeBron, Oprah, Beyonce...and I'm starting to draw blanks. I support being confident and believing in yourself, but 85% of people don't do anything that warrants "HATE". People might not like us, but that's not hate; that's their opinion. We may have qualities that just turn them off! Furthermore, if you DID have haters, you acknowledging their presence empowers them.
In addition to people creating their own haters, we also try to smash those who make comments about others. Because of the technological boom we experienced, there are very few events, happenings, or statements that will not be followed by critique from billions of people on our various forms of social networking. Indeed, some of the statements can be categorized as ignorance, immaturity, or "Suckers trying to come up by putting others down"; not all of it however, comes from a bad place. The most recent example was the backlash regarding Olympic Gold Medalist Gabrielle "Gabby" Douglas and her hairstyle during the Olympics. For those who missed it, she wore a floppy ponytail, a hairstyle commonly worn by Black female athletes who reside in suburban (or predominantly white) communities.
To many African Americans, who are extremely particular about presentation (specifically hair), it was unusual and was discussed to great lengths. In response, other African-Americans jumped on these commentators, with responses like, "HATERS...Y'all ain't got no Gold Medal..." and, "B^&ches (a disheartening, yet common term in black communities) always talking about stupid stuff; do your thing Gabby! We love you Boo-Boo!" Just because someone mentioned Douglas' hair does not mean they do not respect her talent. It is an opinion that they feel her hair could have been done better. By demeaning the commentator, you have done nothing to change their perspective, and you have been distracted from her talent.
2. We Know How To "Get Money", But It's Time To "Save Money"
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| Come on Big Sean, get some "big" investments...boi. |
The lack of transition from poor to rich to wealthy, however, often stems from what we spend our money ON. As the undisputed "cool" race of the world and trendsetters in style, sports, and entertainment, many of us feel compelled to look and dress the part (even when we cannot afford it). Many of my elders claim this is a direct response to being "new" to money. Many people of color are just experiencing financial comfort and unfortunately cater to their materialistic sides, buying empty symbols of wealth, including jewelry, cars, and fancy clothes. People are paying as much as $250.00 for a pair of OLD Air Jordan sneakers (if they're not stabbing and killing people for them). Dang, Michael Jordan "overcharging n's for what they did to the Cold Crush".
In addition, there is an extreme lack of education (most notably financial education) circulating throughout minority communities. We must stress our youth (and even our elders) visiting places outside these rough areas, going to college and traveling. By doing so, we experience the great things the world has to offer, sparking hope and motivation to do more.
3. We Come From A Generation of Pride and Unity
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| Being unique doesn't mean you dressed unpresentable. Ask Clyde. |
My close friends and associates know me as a fan of Black Music of the 60s and 70s. My parents raised us on Teddy Pendergrass, The Temptations, Aretha Franklin, Minnie Ripperton, Heatwave, and the elements Earth, Wind, and Fire. As much as I enjoy certain musicians and rappers of this current era, few feelings compare to the one provided by the bass guitar on "ABC" by the Jackson 5. The people of that time appeared to enjoy themselves despite social prejudice and ignorance, present the Black race in a positive light, and find a way to be cool.
Our stars were unique, but still classy and polished. I think of Walt Clyde Frazier, James Brown, and Bill Cosby as people who established themselves as "fly" people/celebrities but brought pride to their families and people as a whole. We come from a people who found ways to establish their brand and maintain their individuality without being crass or crude. Even for those who used...colorful language, like Redd Foxx and Richard Pryor, still walked and talked with a certain air; they dressed and spoke with a sense of pride, because they felt they were deserving of such. As for those who were directly fighting for our people to be considered equals with Whites in the Civil Rights Movement, they also were special. They possessed traits that made you proud they were on your television speaking as representatives of your race. In response, we supported them in their efforts. We rallied. You know what we rally behind now?
Our stars were unique, but still classy and polished. I think of Walt Clyde Frazier, James Brown, and Bill Cosby as people who established themselves as "fly" people/celebrities but brought pride to their families and people as a whole. We come from a people who found ways to establish their brand and maintain their individuality without being crass or crude. Even for those who used...colorful language, like Redd Foxx and Richard Pryor, still walked and talked with a certain air; they dressed and spoke with a sense of pride, because they felt they were deserving of such. As for those who were directly fighting for our people to be considered equals with Whites in the Civil Rights Movement, they also were special. They possessed traits that made you proud they were on your television speaking as representatives of your race. In response, we supported them in their efforts. We rallied. You know what we rally behind now?
Speaking of the company, it reminds me of the unity that the Gay Community as a whole has. LGBT has built such a united front, that they are a force. In some aspects, leapfrogging Blacks and Spanish as the second most relevant community in America. This is merely an opinion, but consider the amount of gay-related coverage on television. Same-sex marriage is a hot button topic for White House and Senate hopefuls, and every week someone's career is tarnished for making derogatory remarks. Some feel we are at the point where high profile individuals could afford disparaging remarks about Blacks, as opposed to Gays. This could be since we as African Americans speak so disrespectfully about each other; who are we to tell other races they can't join in. Just me, but this is what happens when it's cool to make "N*ggas in Paris" (Still respect your music, Jay and Kanye.) Please excuse this following statement, as I don't agree with this term, but I doubt we'll ever hear a gay rapper release, "F*ggots in Belgium."
For more on writer Cedric Perry and "Confessions of a Big Dreamer", like the page at www.facebook.com/cedsconfessions. Also, follow us on twitter @cedsconfessions.
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