The Curious Case of Marcus Smart

If you haven't heard, Marcus Smart, is a sophomore guard for the Oklahoma State University Cowboys. He also happens to be a projected Top 5 NBA Draft pick for the upcoming 2014-2015 season.  And in a recent game, he was ejected for shoving a fan.  Marcus shoved this after the fan yelled something at him.  Because of this, Marcus was suspended for 3 games by the Big 12.  Never mind that no one knows WHAT this fan said to Marcus.  Never mind that numerous college basketball players throughout the years remember this same 'fan' talking crap.  Never mind that he's never had any other disciplinary issues.  Marcus was culpable.

Three weeks prior to this, Richard Sherman, a cornerback for the Seattle Seahawks was interviewed by a (White female) sideline reporter after his team advanced to the Superbowl. The reporter asked him a question to which he replied that the wide receiver was wack and that indeed he, Sherman, was the greatest cornerback of all time.  Is it true? Maybe not, but I respect his bravado.  I guess I was the only one. Nevermind that Sherman has a degree from Stanford.  Nevermind that he's a member of a respected Black fraternity. Sherman was crucified in the media for being thuggish and brash.

Both of these incidents happened with young Black men against 'innocent' White people.  I guess the archaic notion of Mandingo isn't as irrelevant as we thought.  Is this the post-racial society we were hoping for?  Where racial microaggressions go unchecked?

Marcus Smart.
       Richard Sherman.
             Trayvon Martin.

All of these young Black men regarded as thugs.

Reacted to disrespectful fan. 

      Pumped up after making play to advance his team to the Superbowl. 

             Wearing a hoodie in the wrong neighborhood. 

Happy Black History Month.

The Trouble with Young Black Girls

So, I know yall have been keeping up with current events and TV lately.  With everything that is going on, I have become increasingly concerned about the socio-emotional health of our young Black girls.  It's not that I'm not worried about our young Black boys, but they're fairly represented in mentorships, educational programs (thanks Bloomberg!), sports leagues, etc.  Our young Black girls, however, are getting left behind and running to TV, boys, and social media for affirmation.

Just look at the reaction to Gabby Douglas' hair. This young Black girl just won TWO gold medals and how does Twitter react? Criticizing her hair.  And it wasn't Don Imus with a nappy-headed ho comment; it was other young Black girls.  Is that how we are teaching our daughters to react to the accomplishments of another girl?  By attacking her and tearing down her looks?

Or, you can watch any show on VH1... no explanation necessary.

The images our young Black girls see projected on TV of women flaunting destructive relationships, tearing down each other and allowing men to disrespect them to their face; it's appalling.  For every Michelle Obama and Oprah Winfrey, there are 25 MiMis and Evelyns.

You know what, they should do a reality show of me and my girls.  They would follow us going to our respective jobs, hitting the gym to keep our bodies right, going to the occasional happy hour to socialize & meet new people, an exotic vacation every now and then, and then us going home and going to bed.  But, you're right, why would you wanna watch a bunch of college-educated Black females when you can watch these women throw bottles at each other's heads??

I say all this to say, we have to make sure that we nurture our young Black girls spiritually, emotionally, physically, and mentally.  Otherwise, we won't be preparing for the next generation of CEOs, but Basketball Wives 2019.

Book Review: Black is the New White

Let me tell yall why I love Paul Mooney:

• He's unapologetically Black
• He constantly refers to himself as good-looking
• His outlook on everyday issues like racism are hilarious yet spot on

Basically, Paul Mooney is me.

This book is about Paul Mooney's struggle to make it in Hollywood and NOT 'making it' because he was too Black.  Don't misunderstand me, Paul Mooney is a legend.  This man wrote for the Richard Pryor Show, In Living Color, and the Chappelle Show.  As far as Black comedy goes, he's royalty.  Although he might not be mentioned with the likes of Jay Leno and Dave Letterman, it's not because he's not as funny as them, they just have the "complexion for protection."  While this book is Paul's autobiography, at times I feels like the biography of Richard Pryor, Mooney's best friend.  Now, I'm not complaining; while I've not seen much of Pryor's comedy, my father is a huge fan and Mooney is able to dive into the intricacies of Pryor's brain like no one else. 

At 70 years old, Paul Mooney has seen a lot of things.  But he's still standing, he's still funny, and he's still Black. 

Next up: Hunger Games 

Book Review: Assata: An Autobiography

For those that don't know, Assata Shakur is a Black Panther and member of the Black Liberation Army.  (And no, she's not Tupac's mom...that's Afeni).  In this book, she re-tells her life story, including her time in jail and trial for murder.

I love the perspective on history Assata brings.  She breaks down everything from the Vietnam War to the real reason why Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation.  This is an aspect of history that's missing in our schools, but a history that must be told.  Also, I was reading this book during the height of the Trayvon Martin case.  It really shows you the world we live in has not changed much from 1972 to 2012.

While I'm a huge fan of biographies, especially auto-biographies, Assata's style of switching between past & present in every chapter wore on me.  I would be really into one period in her life, then we would stop to jump to another.  But, Assata is a piece of our history so I recommend this book to everyone. Also, in doing further research, I discovered that me & Assata have the same birthday!! Kindred spirits indeed.

Next up: Black is the New White by Paul Mooney

white male privilege vs. The Professional Black Woman

As a double minority, Black Women have had to work twice as hard and be twice as good at everything they do to get to their station in life. I think that's why when the Professional Black Woman comes in contact with white male privilege, it's always a recipe for disaster.

As a Professional Black Woman, you always remember the first time you run up against white male privilege: passed over for a job you were clearly more qualified for, doing the work of others who hold higher titles than you, receiving less pay then colleagues with half your experience. Yes, all of these things still happen ... even in 2012.

One thing I inherited from my mother, besides my good looks and awesome party-hosting abilities was being a professional Black Woman on the opposite side of white male privilege. My mother had to endure training colleagues with less qualifications than her only for that person to later become her boss. She's had to put up with bosses whose sole purpose was to break her spirit. I'm sure my mother assumed that 20 years later, this wouldn't be the world I inherited from her; unfortunately she was mistaken.

See, what I've come to realize is white male privilege is terrified of the Professional Black Woman. As soon as they see us coming, they get nervous and resort to their old tricks: oppression, belittling us, calling us names like Angry Black Woman. You see, they tried for years to break Black Women ... everything from rape to sterilization to voting rights.  But we didn't go anywhere, we're still here.  I'm a Professional Educated Strong Black Woman ... and I'm your worst nightmare.

Book Review: Little Black Book of Success

This book is a compilation of advice from 3 Black businesswomen.  While I felt that most of this book was common sense stuff, it's nice to have it all written down in one place.  Not sure I would necessarily recommend it to women who are already assured in their careers and themselves.  However, I would definitely recommend this book as a college graduation gift tho...inspiring future Michelle Obama's everywhere.

On a personal note...This book was right on time for me.  I had been going through a lot of challenges & decisions in my work life.  This book was very reassuring and definitely helped me get through some thangs.

Next up: What do you guys suggest for the next Book Club book??

Everyone's a little bit Racist

I've recently been forced to confront the fact that I'm Black.  I know, this is news to you as well.  Lemme explain.  I've spent my whole life being a loving daughter/sister, a model student, best friend ever, and an exemplary teacher.  But to some folks, regardless of all of those magnificent attributes, I'm still ... just ... Black.

Don't get me wrong, I love being Black!  My people have such a rich history & have been through so much, it's amazing we're still standing.  However, there are some people who can't rejoice in our successes because to them we'll always be second-class citizens; not smart enough, not pretty enough, not deserving of anything.

No matter how far we think we've progressed as a country, there are still some people who only see race.  Let's take this month, as short as it is, to have open dialogues & confront these issues head on. Otherwise, like a pot of boiling water left unattended, our underlying issues will spill out onto the surface.  Trust me, I know first hand...

The BLAchelor

That's right...BLAchelor (Black + Bachelor = BLAchelor).  When are we gonna see that show??

For the last few years, ABC has shown us beautiful looking 20-somethings searching for the loves of their life in an 8-week long reality show.  Now, I must admit, I've never watched the Bachelor or it's spin-offs purely for one reason...they ain't Black.  

I have a few theories why we'll never see a Black Bachelor or Bachelorette.  1) We rarely see portrayals of Black love and marriages on TV.  Aside from Barack & Michelle, Cliff & Claire, and TI & Tiny, you would think Black people don't get married.  2) We can't be trusted to not act ignorant as soon as a camera turns on.  Turn to VH1 on any given night, with few exceptions, Black people become buffoons when that lil red light comes on.  But most importantly, 3) Flavor Flav ruined it for errrrrrrry'body.  A network finally decided to do a bachelor-style show featuring Black people & they gave us Flavor Flav??? Really??  How rude! *Stephanie Tanner voice*  Not only that, but Flavor of Love definitely fed into all types of Black stereotypes: hoodrats, fighting, big clock medallions.

Hey, I believe in the power of Black love, I've seen it first hand in my family.  It would be nice to finally see that reflected on TV.

Fried Chicken, Watermelon & Hip Hop

For those that don't know, fried chicken, watermelon & Hip Hop are the keys to Black people's heart!  Well at least, this is what advertisers think.

Exhibit A: Popeye's Lady

If she shakes her neck at me one more time!!! HONEY!  Besides the fact that this woman is selling fried chicken, she's doing it in the most stereotypical dialect possible.  She might as well say Come get this chicken fo massah see you.  Trust me Popeyes, Black people will continue to buy your chicken even without all the finger waggin.

Exhibit B: McDonald's
When I say 'Chicken', yall say 'McNugget' ... "Chicken" "McNugget"

We already have a McDonald's on every block in Harlem, there is no need for an enticing hip hop beat in your commercials.

Exhibit C: Sneakers

Now I KNOW Black people aren't the only ones who wear shoes...

Exhibit D - Z: Any commercial on BET

Do yall realize advertisers make different commercials for different channels?? Have you ever seen a Dr. Miracle's commercial on channel 4?? I rest my case.

In 2011, you would think that as a country we have progressed past tried and true stereotypes of yesteryear.  However, just read a newspaper cartoon, type "why do Black people" on Google, or in this case turn on the TV to see that we haven't really made it that far.

~@AllEyesOnDiv

Play for Pay?

Do you know how much universities make off of collegiate sports? A gazillion dollars.

Recently, college athletes & their programs have gotten in trouble for getting free stuff: cars, tattoos, houses, pre-marital sex. While this is against NCAA policies, can you blame these guys? They work just as hard as professional athletes but with 0% of the pay. Now I understand they get scholarships & stipends, but is it enough? Especially when you consider that collegiate sports has become such a big business and largely on free labor; these schools are profiting on the backs of their athletes.

The most pressing issue for me is that many of these athletes are Black...40 million dollar slaves, indeed. They're promised a world class education, prospects to go to the league, but how many of them actually make it? What happens to the athlete who has spent 4 years taking classes that fit around a practice schedule rather than fit into a major? How many athletes have tutors (and/or ho-fessionals) doing their homework so they can focus on studying plays?

While I'm sure this happens to students of all colors, Black males disproportionately get the short end of the stick (I know, tell you something you don't know.) As if K-12 educational options for Black males weren't challenging enough, now they're getting screwed post-secondary too?

I'm not advocating for these athletes to break the rules but we have to look at why they're are doing it. Would YOU work for a million-dollar corporation that paid you in homework, hoodies & harlots.