Clearly grammar should be on this list since you’re not supposed to end a sentence (or a title?) with a preposition, but oh well.
Bumaye Panama.
I can’t believe we haven’t done this. We’ve done movies that all Black people should know. We’ve done songs that all Black people should know. We’ve beat into the ground the Black in America series. For goodness’ sake, we’ve mentioned Flavor Flav on this site at least 100 times. It only seems natural that putting out the definitive list of all things that Black people should (at least) be aware of would be the order of the day. But no.
I blame Jim Jones Lil Mama Kanye for this Shawne Merriman Chad Ochocinco Whitney Houston little orphan Annie Lil Wayne for this.
Anywho, I feel that the canon of Blackness needs some kind of direction. And who better than yours truly, the expert on all things expertly to provide some guidance into things that pretty much should be par the course for all people of the diaspora regardless of class, religion, orientation, or grade of hair.
And so it begins…10 Things All Black People Should (At Least) Be Aware Of…
1) Roots
We’ve talked about movies and I’m sure this was mentioned, but really, if you’ve not seen this, or don’t know who Alex Haley is (no plagiarize), (or have no clue what I’m even talking about) somebody in your life has deprived you of a vital part of your Blackness. You should be upset about this.
2) Kool-Aid
I’ve found Kool-Aid to be a very polarizing part of Black culture. And yes, I’m calling it a part of Black culture. Almost everybody I know grew up in a Kool-Aid house, or they didn’t because they’re parents specifically didn’t want their kids drinking Kool-Aid. If that ain’t some Black sh*t, I don’t know what is. You know some of us love to think we’re too good for stuff, even if we do live in the projects. Then again, I suppose being the most well off of the broke is something worth bragging on. I suppose.
3) Spades
Anytime I meet a Black person who can’t play spades, I’m perplexed. I don’t judge, I’m just perplexed. I don’t even remember learning how to play spades. I just…played. A close second to this is tunk. And quite a few people will throw bid whist into the mix, but spades reigns supreme. Nobody plays bid whist on the hood of a car.
4) The Autobiography of Malcolm X
I’m not even saying you have to have seen the movie, but I feel like this book is required reading for all Black people. Even folks whose sole reading experience rests in the realm of Donny Goines novels have read Malcolm X.
5) Coming To America/The Color Purple
Over Labor Day, I found out that one of my close friends had never seen Coming To America. Coming to America is the Jay-Z of movies. There are so many quotables in this movie. It’s just one of those movies that all Black people see at some point and I think should be mandated. Heck, I’m trying to figure out at what age to introduce my daughter to it right now…and losing sleep over it. Same goes for The Color Purple, which is really a comedy if you think about it.
6) Michael Jackson (RIP)
I don’t care if you think he’s a pedophile, you should at least know, by heart, Off The Wall, Thriller, and Bad, and be able to do at least one dance from the Thriller video. I saw a 72-year-old woman hit a Thriller move this past weekend. I also saw a 6-year-old do the same. This is required.
7) What’s Going On/Stevie Wonder’s hits/Motown
Marvin Gaye made arguably the most important album in music history. It makes lists that only white people create. And don’t get me started on Stevie. From “As” to “I Just Called To Say I Love You”, if you haven’t heard Stevie, your life is incomplete like a Sisqo song. And Motown is Motown.
8) Soul Food (actual food, not bad TV series or serviceable movie)
This one is debatable because Southern white people eat it as well, but really, who was cooking for them? Black people. It’s part of Blackness. Eat some collards, gangsta.
9) Nation of Islam
You ain’t got to be apart of the FOI or anything, but I firmly believe you should know what FOI stands for. From Farrakhan to Muhammad Ali to The Honorable Elijah Mohammed (and of course brotha El Hajj Malik Shabazz), agree or disagree, the nation has played a large part in Black history.
Much like…
10) The Black Panthers
I used to want to be a Black Panther because before crack, they cared. Plus one of the most famous cartoon characters in Black America is named after him (Huey Freeman).
***
So, good people of VSB, what’s missing? What else should all Black people be aware of??
-VSB P aka THE ARSONIST aka TANGLE JIG P aka GIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIRL, HE A 3
*Admin Note: We’re currently in the process of planning a VSB Happy Hour in NYC for Saturday, October 3rd, somewhere in Manhattan (probably). Panama, Liz, and friends will be there. If you’re in the NY area and are interested in coming, could you send us an email to contact@verysmartbrothas.com? We’re trying to gauge interest to determine what kind of space we need or if we should just tell folks to meet at the McDonald’s on 3rd Street in the Village with red cups of whatever you like to drink*
Related posts:
- 10 Songs All Black People Should Know.
- Judging Books By Their Covers: 13 Nouns I Just Can't Trust
- Still Black: 7 Things I Learned While Watching CNN’s Black In America 2
- six most important black movies of the last 30 years
- Valentine’s Day Alternatives for Those Without Plans Or People To Plan Stuff With.
{ 64 comments… read them below or add one }
Hmmm. I’m glad you added that (at least be aware of) to some of these… cuz if not, my blackness would be in question.
SO I just asked my mom if she could think of anything all black people should know. Her answer? “Don’t trust whitey!!” lmfao. terrible.
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8th Wonder {September 16th, 2009 at 9:53 am}
@Selah,
That’s learned in minute one of the 101 course, lmao!
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Gem of the Ocean {September 16th, 2009 at 11:05 am}
@Selah,
my mom would say the same thing… and she’s not black. lmao
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Panama Jackson {September 16th, 2009 at 12:39 pm}
@Selah, i think all Black folks here that saying at least 203 times in their life. at least…
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I’m hoping the fact that my parents were in the nation, I know ex-panthers personally, I used to live in Marvin Gaye’s old neighborhood and my education was based on mastering games like spades (middle school was tunk, high school was spades and college was dominoes) makes up for me not having seen the color purple.
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Vega {September 16th, 2009 at 1:02 am}
@Omar, I am a loooooong time lurker, but I felt that I must respond to you!
As much as you should be lauded for your capabilities in various table sports, I must disagree that your mastery of said games entitles you to a pass for not partaking in the manna of movie magic that is the Color Purple. Please get your hands on the DVD, and sit back and enjoy. The Color Purple is full of jewels and quotes that you can use in everyday conversation. Also, as a bonus, watching the Color Purple has supernatural powers that improve your spades ability. Simply put…Go. Get. The. Movie.
P.S. – I’ll leave you with this, “Till you do right by me….” Watch the movie to undersatnd that quote, or your spades and bones game will indeed suffer.
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Liz {September 16th, 2009 at 1:30 am}
@Vega, thanks for delurking!! lol
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Stuff Ghetto People Like {September 16th, 2009 at 7:56 am}
Don’t feel bad, Omar, I never saw The Color Purple either….mostly because I never cared to. Never appealed to me as I always figured that to be a chick flick.
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Monk {September 16th, 2009 at 9:01 am}
@Stuff Ghetto People Like,
Same here..never saw it but feel like I can just pull together all the random quotes I’ve heard and piece together the whole joint.
I totally get the perception of it being a ‘chick flick’ too based on the fact that 99% of the time I hear a quote from the movie, it’s from a female.
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Big Man {September 16th, 2009 at 3:13 pm}
@Monk,
Massive cosign.
It’s to the point now where I’m actively avoiding this movie.
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Panama Jackson {September 16th, 2009 at 12:41 pm}
@Stuff Ghetto People Like, i used to think it was a chick flick. it really isn’t. it’s really a comedy in the line of Friday.
just set like 60 years earlier
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The Champ {September 16th, 2009 at 1:14 pm}
@Stuff Ghetto People Like,
i finally broke down and watched it a couple years ago, and i have to say that its more entertaining than i was expecting it to be
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Nicki Sunshine {September 16th, 2009 at 9:11 am}
@Omar, The Color Purple is the best!!!!!!!
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Panama Jackson {September 16th, 2009 at 12:41 pm}
@Omar, i don’t think that makes up for it. though that’s quite the blackness resume.
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You should also know where the picture you posted is from….. “I Want You” Marvin Gaye….
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Panama Jackson {September 16th, 2009 at 12:43 pm}
@Simply Amazin, actually…it didn’t come from the Marvin Gaye album…it was used for the marvin gaye album…
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McDonald’s on 3rd Street in the Village with red cups….threw me off.
i will regain my composure and come back in the morning. the list is on point though, and i don’t know how to play spades well, 9 out of 10 aint bad!
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MizThickaDenThick {September 16th, 2009 at 1:52 am}
@shrifryrye,
you learn by observation…and follow suit!!!
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Stuff Ghetto People Like {September 16th, 2009 at 7:58 am}
@shrifryrye, as far as I remember, I only played once ever….
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Panama Jackson {September 16th, 2009 at 12:44 pm}
@Stuff Ghetto People Like, how is that even possible? i feel like you either play or have never played.
playing once just seems so anomalous.
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The Champ {September 16th, 2009 at 1:16 pm}
@Panama Jackson,
i feel like you either play or have never played.
***filed under “things omar little would say if he were on vsb”***
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Me fail english? {September 16th, 2009 at 8:52 am}
@shrifryrye,
Girl I can play whist and spades. But I never even heard of tunk til this post.
P.S. Happy Hour on a Saturday is what threw me. lol
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Smiley Face {September 16th, 2009 at 9:19 am}
@Me fail english?,
Tunk/tonk is a knock off of rummy/gin rummy
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Chasdizz {September 16th, 2009 at 3:20 pm}
@Me fail english?,
umm what is this “whist” you all speak of? never heard of it. at all.
unless it’s we have some other name for it where i’m from.
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Me fail english? {September 16th, 2009 at 3:41 pm}
@Chasdizz,
Its the one where you keep a kitty and “take em to Boston” and your mother slaps you upside the head for jumping on her team and losing…
Its like spades for grownups
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Captain Morgan {September 16th, 2009 at 9:50 am}
@shrifryrye,
I can’t play Spades either, but i got nine out of ten too.
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shay_d_lady {September 16th, 2009 at 10:08 am}
@shrifryrye, aww..come to Memphis, I shall take you under my wing…..
I am a beast on them spades!
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Gem of the Ocean {September 16th, 2009 at 11:10 am}
@shrifryrye,
2 things:
(a) i hate you for resurfacing shrifryrye
(b) i’ll teach you how to play spades. just dont pull a sakanna mae–she made me painstakingly teach her all my secret moves… and doesn’t remember a daggone thing (too drunk. oops). damn her.
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shrifryryeisoverit! {September 16th, 2009 at 12:02 pm}
@Gem of the Ocean, yes! teach me, i’m a fast learner!
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The Champ {September 16th, 2009 at 1:18 pm}
@shrifryryeisoverit!,
yes! teach me, i’m a fast learner!
if i had a dollar…
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8th Wonder {September 16th, 2009 at 2:54 pm}
@The Champ,
But you don’t. Nuff said.
Stuff Ghetto People Like {September 16th, 2009 at 10:10 pm}
8th Wonder is The Champ’s personal foil….
I’m 90% black. Yeah, that sounds about right. The 10% that is not “black” is not my fault. I blame McCandless township. Thank you and good night.
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The Champ {September 16th, 2009 at 1:19 pm}
@Miss Patterson,
not wt?
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“A Great Day In Harlem”, you may not know the names of any of the Jazz musicians pictured but you know it when you see it.
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Panama Jackson {September 16th, 2009 at 12:45 pm}
@Intellectual Hedonist, though i sort of agree here, i can’t fault anybody for not really being aware of that picture. hell, a lot of people don’t even listen to jazz and only know miles davis kind of blue album.
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OK, so I might not know how to play spades or tunk…and so what if I actually PREFER Uno or Candyland? I grew up in the SWATS – Ben Hill, shawty! GAME OVER! *leaving with my Blackness still intact*
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MizThickaDenThick {September 16th, 2009 at 1:55 am}
@SoJo,
Nope you cannot rep da SWATS(Cascade…Beecher Rd shawty!!) and not know how to play spades or at least tunk. i got dem lessons on deck and my spades trophy if u need them!!
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Stuff Ghetto People Like {September 16th, 2009 at 7:59 am}
@SoJo, hell, I’ve never even heard of tunk…maybe it’s a regional thing? Like celo?
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Smiley Face {September 16th, 2009 at 8:32 am}
@Stuff Ghetto People Like,
what?!! where your peoples from?
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Me fail english? {September 16th, 2009 at 9:04 am}
@Stuff Ghetto People Like,
C-lo’s regional? I thought that was nationwide!
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Stuff Ghetto People Like {September 16th, 2009 at 9:54 am}
@Me fail english?, nobody plays celo in L.A. We always thought of that as a New York thing.
We wouldn’t even know what to do with a third die…so we just shoot craps and keep it simple.
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IVR {September 16th, 2009 at 9:48 am}
@Stuff Ghetto People Like, “I’ve never even heard of tunk”
Didn’t hear about that or bidwhist until I joined the military (my introduction to southern black folk). I know my great grandmother would always play gin rummy and solitaire . . maybe it IS regional.
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TLC {September 16th, 2009 at 11:22 am}
@Stuff Ghetto People Like,
Maybe it is…Midwest and Southern people have always seemed to know how to play but I never ran into many East and West coast people who played.
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Nicki Sunshine {September 16th, 2009 at 9:12 am}
@SoJo, I didn’t know it was Tunk, we always said TONK (like TAW-NK). lol
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Smiley Face {September 16th, 2009 at 9:20 am}
@Nicki Sunshine,
yup! LOL..That’s how my Daddy pronounced it (he’s from KY too, lol)
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Nicki Sunshine {September 16th, 2009 at 10:15 am}
@Smiley Face, LOL!!!!
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miss t-lee {September 16th, 2009 at 9:58 am}
@Nicki Sunshine,
We pronounce it Tonk also.
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Nicki Sunshine {September 16th, 2009 at 10:16 am}
@miss t-lee, I don’t remember how to play it now though… lol
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miss t-lee {September 16th, 2009 at 10:26 am}
@Nicki Sunshine,
Shooo girl, I never learned to play that one either…
Lanieanna {September 16th, 2009 at 12:05 pm}
@Nicki Sunshine,
How about PIDDY-PAT???? This is the more common, simple version of TONK, usually played for money.. very common in the city of N.O.
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Nicki Sunshine {September 16th, 2009 at 12:23 pm}
@Lanieanna, I’ve never heard of that one.. How do u play?
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Lanieanna {September 16th, 2009 at 12:56 pm}
@Nicki Sunshine, …long story short. you have to try to get all pairs in your hand by either accepting dissed cards, or recieving a card “plucked” from the deck.. if u know tonk/tunk… its the same thing, except all you need is matches
Me fail english? {September 16th, 2009 at 12:46 pm}
@Lanieanna,
Ok, I actually learned how to play this! Strangely enough from some Cubans. lol
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Cheekie {September 16th, 2009 at 12:50 pm}
@Lanieanna,
My mama’s bf (at the time) taught me piddy-pat. I always wondered how to play when I was younger. It’s interesting because today, I totally forgot how to play. He taught me Blackjack that day, too, but I still remember that. lol
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Reecie {September 16th, 2009 at 12:54 pm}
@Lanieanna, we say “pitty pat”. oh and I also say Tonk, Rummy, etc. Gin Rummy to be specific. LOL
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Lanieanna {September 16th, 2009 at 3:04 pm}
@Reecie,
that is how its spelled… but you know….. you do you know that has every mentioned the game, actually anunciates the t?
afterthought {September 16th, 2009 at 12:33 pm}
@Nicki Sunshine,
Same here. It took me a min to realize that was what he was talking about.
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Panama Jackson {September 16th, 2009 at 12:47 pm}
@afterthought, tonk/tunk…
let’s be real. how many of us have ever seen it written down in the first place.
it’s one of those said-but-not-written words like “mayne” which i’ve seen written like “meng” which to me is just wrong
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The Champ {September 16th, 2009 at 1:21 pm}
@Nicki Sunshine,
me too. it took it a couple moments to realize that this mysterious tunk being referred to was actually tonk. and by “a couple moments” i mean five hours
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Panama Jackson {September 16th, 2009 at 12:49 pm}
@SoJo, how exactly does one grow up in the SWATS and never once play spades? I mean UNO is a favorite game for many so that makes sense…but I see folks playing spades on the corners in Ben Hill on Campbellton at 3am.
how is this possible???
And um…WESTSIDE. ADAMSVILLE.
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Great List! I would add
All black people should be able to quote some part of the “I have a dream” speech
Complete this refrain
“I was born by the river…
I will think of some more in the morning
I’s tied boss
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miss t-lee {September 16th, 2009 at 9:07 am}
@shay_d_lady,
“Complete this refrain
“I was born by the river…”
In a little tent!!! Love San Cooke.
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Smiley Face {September 16th, 2009 at 9:22 am}
@shay_d_lady,
Also you need to instantly recognize “Be Thankful” before the third beat and know who sang it.
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miss t-lee {September 16th, 2009 at 9:25 am}
@Smiley Face,
LOL!!! But you know most folks think Curtis Mayfield sang it.
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Smiley Face {September 16th, 2009 at 9:34 am}
@miss t-lee,
Girl!! I’m like “um NO, no he didn’t” they will argue you down though!
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miss t-lee {September 16th, 2009 at 10:16 am}
@Smiley Face,
They shol’ will. I’ve had the arguement too many times…lol
Me fail english? {September 16th, 2009 at 11:25 am}
@miss t-lee,
Damn, I thought he did too til yall said it and I looked it up. That’s what I get for stealing music and letting Kazaa name the songs.
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miss t-lee {September 16th, 2009 at 12:27 pm}
@Me fail english?,
a-hahahahha.
Smiley Face {September 16th, 2009 at 12:36 pm}
@Me fail english?,
Tee hee…folks like “William DeVaughn? Who dat be? Dat dere Curtis Mayfield sang dat dere song!”
Smiley Face {September 16th, 2009 at 12:38 pm}
@Me fail english?,
and you should be doubly ashamed if you’re from DC and didn’t know that, lol
miss t-lee {September 16th, 2009 at 12:40 pm}
@ Smiley Face,
That was his only hit song…and people don’t even know that man’s name half the time…
I’d be mad as heyll.
shay_d_lady {September 16th, 2009 at 10:13 am}
@Smiley Face, but Imma need you to call it by the hood name…
“diamond in the back, sunroof top, diggin the scene w/a gangsta lean”..
yep the whole thing
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Smiley Face {September 16th, 2009 at 10:21 am}
@shay_d_lady,
you forgot “oo-oooo-oooo” LMAO!!!
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Captain Morgan {September 16th, 2009 at 9:52 am}
@shay_d_lady,
Is anyone else pissed at the rash of second rate R&B singers who covered this song after Obama won? There is only one Sam Cook, and only the pop, crackle and snap of this song on vinyl can move me the way it should.
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Smiley Face {September 16th, 2009 at 10:03 am}
@Captain Morgan,
Amen *moment of silence*
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Cheekie {September 16th, 2009 at 10:34 am}
@shay_d_lady,
“I was born by the river…”
Even my 2520 coworker knows this. He actually randomly breaks into this song at work. It’s part of the reason why he’s my homie. He’s good people.
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Lanieanna {September 16th, 2009 at 12:53 pm}
@Cheekie,
I do have to say though… Urban Mystic…. Sam would be proud. I saw this dude sing that song at a summer fest concert….. he toe it down*
toe/tore it down…. another phrase we all should be familiar with
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Panama Jackson {September 16th, 2009 at 12:50 pm}
@shay_d_lady, you know, i think the second one is more recognizable than the first.
i’d bet most folks only know that it was the “i have a dream” speech but really couldn’t quote you sh*t from it.
but i’d bet MOST of us have seen malcolm x and have heard sam cooke’s song b/c of it over and over and learned the words b/c it was such a defining point of the movie.
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i can check all the boxes except the spades one. i’m sorry….it just hasn’t happened for me yet. i never learned, just pissed countless groups of people off. (it’s like a cycle. because while your a*s is getting mad that i don’t know how to play tonight, I’m still not going to know how to play tomorrow.)
Also, I give people a side eye if they don’t know who Farrakhan is. you need not be a part of the nation of Islam, or even care about it, or anything, but Farrakhan’s rants and warnings about the white man are one of the sounds of blackness. educate yourself!
i remember being like 9 years old talking to my mama in the kitchen like, “girl, what is farrakhan talking about now, chile?”
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Omar {September 16th, 2009 at 9:30 am}
@charli skipp, “Farrakhan’s rants and warnings about the white man are one of the sounds of blackness.”
Speaking of sounds of blackness you should know who Sounds of Blackness is…
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WordSmith {September 16th, 2009 at 11:17 am}
@Omar,
*sings* As long as you keeeeeep your head to the skyyyyyy…
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Lanieanna {September 16th, 2009 at 12:07 pm}
@WordSmith,
………. Be OP-I-MIST-IC!
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Panama Jackson {September 16th, 2009 at 12:51 pm}
@Omar, really? you’d sideeye somebody for not knowing Sounds of Blackness?
to my knowledge, they have one recognizable song…that came out like a decade ago. and even then…it wasnt even that huge a hit.
i like it though…
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charli skipp {September 16th, 2009 at 1:21 pm}
@Panama Jackson,
Hold on. Change is coming. Everythang will be alright.
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Omar {September 16th, 2009 at 3:06 pm}
@Panama Jackson,
Hey most people only know 1 Sam Cooke song…
I wouldn’t look at people funny for not knowing but I would let them know they need to get to know it.
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Referring to the pic above, I think the 70’s Black sitcoms and beyond must be at least familiar, if not ingrained, into all of our souls. I’m not saying that you have to know all of the project neighbors from Good Times that ever lived, but at least be able to hold your own in a sing off of popular Black sitcom themes. Let’s Try:
“Just lookin’ outta the window, watchin the asphalt gro-o-o-oww….”
“Turn on the light from Heaven, Lord, Shiiine onnn meeee…”
“Now we up in the big leagues, gettin’ our turn at bat!”
“Now the world don’t move to the beat of just one drum…”
“Keep your head up (what!) Keep your head up (that’s right!)
Even if you weren’t raised on them, you had to have watched one or two episodes in passing, on youtube, something…
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Nicki Sunshine {September 16th, 2009 at 9:12 am}
@Beez (It’s Been a Long Time, I Shouldn’ta Left You), U will NOT have me sanging the rest of all of those songs, this early.
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Smiley Face {September 16th, 2009 at 9:23 am}
@Nicki Sunshine,
Okay!!! I sittin’ here bout to break out in song!
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Gem of the Ocean {September 16th, 2009 at 11:17 am}
@Beez (It’s Been a Long Time, I Shouldn’ta Left You),
yeah man. black tv back in the day is def up there on ish black folk need to be at least aware of. and knowing/identifying the theme songs (even if it’s just that the song is from a black show and you cant remember which) is right up there too.
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Panama Jackson {September 16th, 2009 at 12:52 pm}
@Beez (It’s Been a Long Time, I Shouldn’ta Left You), i agree. sitcom knowledge is a must
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Stuff Ghetto People Like {September 16th, 2009 at 1:47 pm}
@Beez (It’s Been a Long Time, I Shouldn’ta Left You), thanks for not saying we must know UPN shows.
I’ll clap to a few Moeshaisms though….
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Beez (It's Been a Long Time, I Shouldn'ta Left You) {September 16th, 2009 at 2:59 pm}
@Stuff Ghetto People Like,
I keep forgetting UPN existed as a network. Dang.
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Nice list, just a couple mo’ off top:
- Soul handshake
- “The Sugar”
- Spike Lee’s magnum opus (Malcolm X film & book)…mad quotables
- the ‘head nod’
- The genius of Ike Turner
…lemme get back atcha.
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Panama Jackson {September 16th, 2009 at 12:52 pm}
@John Cutter, you must explain the genius of Ike Turner. you must…
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The Champ {September 16th, 2009 at 1:22 pm}
@John Cutter,
welcome and sh*t
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This is a pretty good list, which means my blackness was settled in by the time I was 14. I’ll try to add to the list without being super-specific with things, for instance:
I think everyone black should be able to pick out Africa on a map, as well as the general area of the Caribbean…
..should be aware of at least one significant sitcom/show from the 70s (Sanford & Son, The Jeffersons, etc) 80s (Cosby Show, so forth) and/or 90s (Martin, In Living Color, and what-not)
…should know of the existence of one of the following books: The Miseducation of the Negro, Up From Slavery, The Souls of Black Folk, or Before the Mayflower, and probably The Audacity of Hope too.
…should be familiar with some of the following authors: James Baldwin, Richard Wright, Ralph Ellison, Toni Morrison, Zora Neale Hurston or Maya Angelou.
…should be able to name the center of black culture in their city (i.e. Harlem, Bronzeville, Leimert Park, etc.)
Not knowing any of these things
with the exception of Spades and Coming to America, I mean, c’mon sonis not an indictment on anyone blackness, because we run much deeper than any list can provide. However, I do find sexy a woman who can hook up some soul food, and laugh when I call Diddy the modern-day Milkman Dead…Reply
JamaicanGirlisback {September 16th, 2009 at 3:21 am}
@Maximillian, Well according to Panama’s list my blackness may be in question. I have never seen Roots and i don’t know how to play spades. I know the concept of the game but no one ever wants me on their team.
According to your list however i may have reclaimed my blackness, it may be because im an avid reader ( or i went to an HBCU, they were required reading) and all the books you listed i own.
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YGB {September 16th, 2009 at 6:08 am}
@Maximillian,
“I think everyone black should be able to pick out Africa on a map”
This was gonna be my contribution dammit!
To take it a step further, please don’t refer to Africa as a country!
Thank you!
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Panama Jackson {September 16th, 2009 at 12:53 pm}
@YGB, i didn’t mention this one on my list but it should probably be #1.
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Smiley Face {September 16th, 2009 at 8:01 am}
@Maximillian,
“I think everyone black should be able to pick out Africa on a map, as well as the general area of the Caribbean…”
and pleeeeaaassseee know that Ghana and Guyana are on two different continents.
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afterthought {September 16th, 2009 at 8:42 am}
@Maximillian,
I’m with you on those additions, particularly the sitcoms. I’ve got too many ‘educated’ friends who don’t seem to know who Fred Sanford was or who think that Da Insane Martin Payne wasn’t for them. Its kinda depressing.
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Panama Jackson {September 16th, 2009 at 12:54 pm}
@afterthought, how could anybody not love Martin????
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miss t-lee {September 16th, 2009 at 8:44 am}
@Maximillian,
People don’t read enough anymore…I definitely co-sign on the books you mentioned, as well as the authors.
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Panama Jackson {September 16th, 2009 at 12:54 pm}
@miss t-lee, people also don’t dance no mo’, all they do is this.
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Smiley Face {September 16th, 2009 at 8:54 am}
@Maximillian,
Don’t forget “That’s My Mama”(I have the dvd), “Amen” , “Gimme a Break”…I think I watched too much tv, lol
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Me fail english? {September 16th, 2009 at 9:07 am}
@Smiley Face,
*DEAD* @ you having the “That’s my Mama” DVD collection
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Smiley Face {September 16th, 2009 at 9:18 am}
@Me fail english?,
Tee hee hee, and what’s worse is the show began and ended before I was born…such an old soul!
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miss t-lee {September 16th, 2009 at 9:23 am}
@Smiley Face,
I loved “Gimme A Break”. I was just talking about that show with one of my 2520 co-workers the other day. We were singing the theme song…lmao
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luvtheshoes {September 16th, 2009 at 11:50 am}
@miss t-lee,
So humming the theme song now!
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charli skipper {September 16th, 2009 at 10:13 am}
@Smiley Face,
ooh, i love ‘amen.’ i record it everyday like it’s all new.
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Smiley Face {September 16th, 2009 at 10:22 am}
@charli skipper,
Right!! LOL
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Maximillian {September 16th, 2009 at 10:37 am}
@Smiley Face,
The DVD huh? So ummm did Randy Watson play Joe the Policeman on the “What’s Goin’ Down” episode?
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miss t-lee {September 16th, 2009 at 10:39 am}
@Maximillian,
CTFU!!!!!
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Me fail english? {September 16th, 2009 at 10:50 am}
@Maximillian,
*DEAD*
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Smiley Face {September 16th, 2009 at 11:25 am}
@Maximillian,
LMAO!!! Stop it!
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Panama Jackson {September 16th, 2009 at 12:55 pm}
@Maximillian, greatest.question.ever.
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Cheekie {September 16th, 2009 at 10:36 am}
@Maximillian,
“..should be aware of at least one significant sitcom/show from the 70s (Sanford & Son, The Jeffersons, etc) 80s (Cosby Show, so forth) and/or 90s (Martin, In Living Color, and what-not)”
227! I LOVE saying “I mean no place, chile!”. I always have to say that whenever someone says “There’s no place like home”. In fact, I secretly wished Dorothy said it at the end of Wizard of Oz.
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shrifryryeisoverit! {September 16th, 2009 at 12:23 pm}
@Cheekie, 227! I LOVE saying “I mean no place, chile!”. I always have to say that whenever someone says “There’s no place like home”. In fact, I secretly wished Dorothy said it at the end of Wizard of Oz.
all i can say is: OMG YES! lol
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charli skipp {September 16th, 2009 at 1:26 pm}
@Cheekie,
you know what? i’m goin to need them to start showing reruns of 227 again. jackee reminds me of my momma.
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Cheekie {September 16th, 2009 at 3:58 pm}
@charli skipp,
*Jackee-voice* Maaaaaary.
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When I read this list I was relieved. I just KNEW seeing the movie Boys in the Hood was going to make this list. Since it did not I can be rest assured that my “blackness” is intact lol
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Omar {September 16th, 2009 at 9:36 am}
@Naturalbarbie, You should STILL watch Boyz N tha Hood so you can laugh at Cuba when he comes home crying and swinging at stuff, that scene alone makes the movie priceless.
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Beez (It's Been a Long Time, I Shouldn'ta Left You) {September 16th, 2009 at 3:01 pm}
@Omar,
That’s my favorite part to reenact when things go awry…
*punching fists like Cuba in Boyz*
ALWAYS wins.
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Panama Jackson {September 16th, 2009 at 12:56 pm}
@Naturalbarbie, i’m with Omar, you should still have seen it. just cuz it aint on that list don’t meant your blackness aint in question….
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The Champ {September 16th, 2009 at 1:25 pm}
@Naturalbarbie,
welcome and sh*t, and don’t come back until you’ve seen “boyz…”. if you can’t see boyz, then any movie where larry fishburne is a maven or cuba gooding jr. acts coonish will suffice
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I move that we change the NYC meetup to the 9th, not only is it my birthday but i will be flying to the City to celebrate with my girls, Can i get second?
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Panama Jackson {September 16th, 2009 at 12:56 pm}
@JamaicanGirlisback, no, you can’t.
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Damn….i thought that picture was from Goodtimes…my bad…..blackness still intact though, i’m good on the errathang else…
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Stuff Ghetto People Like {September 16th, 2009 at 8:06 am}
@Caramel Eclair, the original Sugar Shack painting was done in 1971. Reworked slightly for Good Times, and then later to add the Marvin Gaye reference for the album.
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@Maximillian,
“I think everyone black should be able to pick out Africa on a map”
This was gonna be my contribution dammit!
But just to take it a step further, please don’t refer to Africa as a country!
Thank you!
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Intellectual Hedonist {September 16th, 2009 at 7:25 am}
@YGB, I am currently sailing off the coast of Africa, have visited Morocco on my way to Ghana and then South Africa.
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YGB {September 16th, 2009 at 12:12 pm}
@Intellectual Hedonist,
Wow! That sounds so awesome.I’m jealous. What places are you planning on visiting in South Africa?
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Cheekie {September 16th, 2009 at 1:33 pm}
@Intellectual Hedonist,
*green*
I hope you have fun, girl! I’m sure you are already!
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Cheekie {September 16th, 2009 at 10:40 am}
@YGB,
Terrific addition.
And if you have the means, I highly recommend visiting at least one country in Africa. This is at the top of my bucket list, most definitely. I’ve never been, but can’t accept NOT going in my lifetime. I wish we could all do it.
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I think I will add:
1. Our history with the LAPD
2. The awesome power of a leather belt and a peach tree switch
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Smiley Face {September 16th, 2009 at 8:35 am}
@The Lioness,
..or a houseshoe
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miss t-lee {September 16th, 2009 at 8:41 am}
@Smiley Face,
or a hair brush
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Lanieanna {September 16th, 2009 at 8:58 am}
@miss t-lee,
Or a 5 subject wide rule note book…. ( my mamma, is still in college… and has been since before I was born) she one of them career students…. did i mention i was 29???
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Smiley Face {September 16th, 2009 at 9:06 am}
@Lanieanna,
LMAO!!! Mama didn’t play!!
miss t-lee {September 16th, 2009 at 9:28 am}
@Lanieanna,
*in flavor flav voice*
Wowwww
You know you’re never told old to catch a whuppin’.
My Grandma slapped my Ainnie a few years back for talkin’ junk. My Ainnie was every bit of 60.
iDied!!!!
The Champ {September 16th, 2009 at 1:26 pm}
@miss t-lee,
or a wet sock
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miss t-lee {September 16th, 2009 at 1:53 pm}
@The Champ,
I have to hear this story…
YGB {September 16th, 2009 at 2:11 pm}
@The Champ,
That shyte hurts!!!! The only thing worse is a wet towel
8th Wonder {September 16th, 2009 at 10:01 am}
@Smiley Face,
or a hanger, either plastic or wire, though for some reason, plastic hurts more.
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Smiley Face {September 16th, 2009 at 10:05 am}
@8th Wonder,
ain’t that the truth!
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shrifryryeisoverit! {September 16th, 2009 at 12:24 pm}
@8th Wonder, omggg, THE HANGER! i thought was just africans, lmao! the plastic was THE worst!
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Cheekie {September 16th, 2009 at 10:42 am}
@The Lioness,
Or if your kid acts out in public — like a grocery store — grab the nearest object in the aisle and go to town on that little heathen.
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The Lioness {September 16th, 2009 at 12:44 pm}
@Cheekie,
And if you are my momma and somebody tells you you need to ease up, give them the side eye and say “Do you want some too?”
True story.
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I remember doing my book report in middle school on the Autobiography of Malcolm X.. I’d put in there that he went to jail for “sleeping with white women.”
I remember my teacher crossing that out. I must have been too advance. lol
Black people should know….
what it was like to be told, “if you come in, you staying in.”
Don’t be cooling off the neighborhood with my electricity.
***and other funny anecdotes mama used to say***
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The Lioness {September 16th, 2009 at 7:41 am}
@Nicki Sunshine,
LOL.
Or “stop riding that door” or “get some Epsom salt and take a nap”.
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Numbah 5 {September 16th, 2009 at 8:17 am}
@Nicki Sunshine,
Also add “a hard head makes a soft behind”
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miss t-lee {September 16th, 2009 at 8:35 am}
@Nicki Sunshine,
“I will slap you into the middle of next week”
RIP to my moms, she was a G.
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Gem of the Ocean {September 16th, 2009 at 11:24 am}
@miss t-lee,
awww RIP mama t-lee
*pours out a lil likka*
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shrifryryeisoverit! {September 16th, 2009 at 12:26 pm}
@miss t-lee, aww, RIP moms.
((hugs))
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Cheekie {September 16th, 2009 at 1:27 pm}
@miss t-lee,
*joins in the RIP for mama t-lee*
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miss t-lee {September 16th, 2009 at 2:00 pm}
@Cheekie, shrifryryeisoverit!, Gem of the Ocean
Thanks ya’ll.
*hugs*
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Smiley Face {September 16th, 2009 at 8:49 am}
@Nicki Sunshine,
My mama: ‘I will slap the light off your skin’ (I’m light skinned, lol).
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Lanieanna {September 16th, 2009 at 9:01 am}
@Smiley Face,
my mamma: Don’t make me tap dance on dat a$$
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Nicki Sunshine {September 16th, 2009 at 9:09 am}
@Lanieanna, LMAO!!! Not tap dance!
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Nicki Sunshine {September 16th, 2009 at 9:01 am}
@all:
YAW, those are hilarious!!!!!!
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8th Wonder {September 16th, 2009 at 10:03 am}
@Nicki Sunshine,
OR “if you don’t get out my face right now, I’m catching a case”
and the timeless classic, “I’m like Marvin Gaye’s daddy, I brought you in the world, and I’ll take yo’ ass out!”
I love you Mommy.
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Nicki Sunshine {September 16th, 2009 at 10:17 am}
@8th Wonder, LMAO- she was NOT playin.
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8th Wonder {September 16th, 2009 at 10:27 am}
@Nicki Sunshine,
My mother is insane, and I was VERY well-behaved, lmao.
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Nicki Sunshine {September 16th, 2009 at 12:27 pm}
@8th Wonder, LOL! WE need more insane mamas today then,
shrifryryeisoverit! {September 16th, 2009 at 12:29 pm}
@8th Wonder, My mother is insane, and I was VERY well-behaved, lmao.
LMAO. My aunt was insane, and I think my mom paid her to live close by. All my hanger/attack stories have my aunt in them somedamnwhere.
Cheekie {September 16th, 2009 at 10:44 am}
@Nicki Sunshine,
“I remember doing my book report in middle school on the Autobiography of Malcolm X.. I’d put in there that he went to jail for “sleeping with white women.”
I remember my teacher crossing that out. I must have been too advance. lol”
LMFAO @ your teacher crossing that out. Political Correctness is a mofo, right?!
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Nicki Sunshine {September 16th, 2009 at 12:28 pm}
@Cheekie, Ain’t it???!!!! I was like, Geez, I told the truth!
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My black card is fully stamped then, lol!
Also note you have GOT to have seen a blaxploitation film or even know a few titles…if you don’t know who “Sheba Baby” or Max Julian are…I can’t be your friend.
Oh and I will make you sit down and watch ‘Imitation of Life’, if you haven’t seen it o_O.
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black people should also know:
at least two run dmc tracks…
the marion barry was innocent…
how to fry, yes fry bologna. look even backsliding devout muslims know how to do this.
that if you’re playing spades and you accidently renig (on purpose)… you are to lie and throw your cards on the table, so ppl won’t know what you may or may not have renig’d about.
vasaline is multifunctional- can be used for everything: to shine tires, ashy heals, chap’d lips, glue, fight cream etc
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Me fail english? {September 16th, 2009 at 9:11 am}
@Islama-Loans,
“vasaline is multifunctional- can be used for everything:”
As are Windex and butter.
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OrangeStar616 {September 16th, 2009 at 9:28 am}
@Me fail english?, and dishwashing liquid LOL
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OrangeStar616 {September 16th, 2009 at 9:31 am}
@Islama-Loans, FRIED turkey bologna is HITTIN!!!!..I memba the old school kind from the market, sliced thick with the red wrapper ring that you chewed the meat off of LOL………
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Smiley Face {September 16th, 2009 at 9:37 am}
@OrangeStar616,
OMG!! WHAT and you better know how/when to pierce the bubble! LOL….good times
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miss t-lee {September 16th, 2009 at 10:19 am}
@Smiley Face,
OH snap!!!!! Mayne, my Dad used to throw down with the fried baloney sammiches.
I ain’t had one in years!!!
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Cheekie {September 16th, 2009 at 12:20 pm}
@Smiley Face,
*dying* at piercing the bubble.
This mess is making my cry with nostalgia.
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Islama-Loans {September 16th, 2009 at 10:16 am}
@OrangeStar616, do you remember flintstone vitamins though? they were always stored near the bologna with the red wrapper.
blk ppl are also very familiar with hypertension and lawry’s seasoning salt.
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Smiley Face {September 16th, 2009 at 10:25 am}
@Islama-Loans,
“lawry’s seasoning “..pronounced louw-reez, lol
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IVR {September 16th, 2009 at 10:22 am}
@OrangeStar616, “FRIED turkey bologna is HITTIN!!!!..I memba the old school kind from the market, sliced thick with the red wrapper ring that you chewed the meat off of LOL………”
We used to fry hard salami (I have never seen the package marked HARD salami but that’s what the old lady called it for some reason). . . and it had the red wrapper joint on it too.
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Cheekie {September 16th, 2009 at 10:46 am}
@OrangeStar616,
Back when I ate bologna, fried was the only way I ate it. Bringin’ me BACK!
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Me fail english? {September 16th, 2009 at 11:38 am}
@Cheekie,
Word. I’d split the bubble, leave the chz eggs in the “crater” and kill this ish on some wonder bread. Breakfast was my fave meal of the day.
But in retrospect, wtf IS bologna and why does it look/feel sooo un-meatlike?
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V Renee {September 16th, 2009 at 11:50 am}
@Me fail english?,
But in retrospect, wtf IS bologna and why does it look/feel sooo un-meatlike? .
LMAO. GREAT question.
Cheekie {September 16th, 2009 at 12:15 pm}
@Me fail english?,
“But in retrospect, wtf IS bologna and why does it look/feel sooo un-meatlike?”
And what’s up with those unecessary letters in the spelling. Who the eff says it the way it’s spelled. Don’t folks say “baloney”? Why is that ‘g’ hijackin’ the word like Lil’ Mama?No one uses the G!
Me fail english? {September 16th, 2009 at 12:44 pm}
@Cheekie,
Haha! I grew up around some Italians that pronounce it bo-LOGN. Yup, two syllables soundin out the G and leaving the A silent. They also say stuff like moo-tsa-RELL (mozzarella) and bi-SCOTE (biscotti). They are ghetto.
afterthought {September 16th, 2009 at 12:15 pm}
@Cheekie,
bologna is just nasty. Now fried bologna, thats like a chemical change. Its one of the best things on the menu of for a little kid.
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Lanieanna {September 16th, 2009 at 12:45 pm}
@afterthought, …
I cant lie… im not a great speller.. if it were not for that dayum commercial.. i would have never know how to spell b-o-l-o-g-n-a…. ya know… my oscar meyer has a name… its b-o-l-o-g-n-a!
luvtheshoes {September 16th, 2009 at 11:54 am}
@Islama-Loans,
Fried bologna is coming back. At Hardee’s (midwest fast food joint) they are serving fried bologna biscuits on their breakfast menu. Got me feeling all country and ish…
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Cheekie {September 16th, 2009 at 12:17 pm}
@luvtheshoes,
“At Hardee’s (midwest fast food joint) they are serving fried bologna biscuits on their breakfast menu.”
o_O
Maybe it’s my now-hatred for bologna, but that sounds disgusting.
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Islama-Loans {September 16th, 2009 at 1:15 pm}
@luvtheshoes, shut up!!! I’m “from” the midwest and they wouldn’t do that. but, they will put sugar on spaghetti.
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shrifryryeisoverit! {September 16th, 2009 at 12:31 pm}
@Islama-Loans, this is like syrup sammiches all over again. i never liked bologna noways!
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Lanieanna {September 16th, 2009 at 12:47 pm}
@shrifryryeisoverit!,
somewhere along the lines, my mother became bougois….. bologna, and lunchon meat ( lunchy meat ) was not allowed in our home!
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Me fail english? {September 16th, 2009 at 1:19 pm}
@Lanieanna,
lol@ “lunchy meat”
Which reminds me, why don’t black people call them by their proper name “cold cuts” or “deli meat”. Everybody I know calls it lunch meat. In fact, I had a girlfriend whose pops used to call that ish “lunch meat sammiches”. You wouldnt even know what kinda meat he was puttin in it. Just lunch meat like “lunch” is an animal.
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Me fail english? {September 16th, 2009 at 12:50 pm}
@shrifryryeisoverit!,
lol! And sugar water.
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Islama-Loans {September 16th, 2009 at 1:17 pm}
@shrifryryeisoverit!, every, and i mean every blk person has poured kool aid packs in plastic bags and pour half a gallon of sugar in it and licked the sugar kool aid from the palm.
lie and say you haven’t and i’ll spin kick you cyberly…
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YGB {September 16th, 2009 at 2:18 pm}
@Islama-Loans,
This is actually the only way I’ve ever seen South Africans (just kids) consume Kool-Aid (well,without the sugar though)
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Smiley Face {September 16th, 2009 at 2:23 pm}
@Islama-Loans,
LMAO!!!!
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Omar {September 16th, 2009 at 3:15 pm}
@Islama-Loans,
Yeah, umm… eating dry kool aid don’t need sugar, you might as well just eat plain sugar…
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The Champ {September 16th, 2009 at 1:32 pm}
@Islama-Loans,
welcome and sh*t. and, ummm, i never did the bologna thing. the only “mystery” meat i’ve eaten are hot dogs, steak-ums, and canadian p*ssy
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YGB {September 16th, 2009 at 2:22 pm}
@The Champ,
Oh my dayum! LMAO!
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overit {September 16th, 2009 at 2:29 pm}
@The Champ, welcome and sh*t. and, ummm, i never did the bologna thing. the only “mystery” meat i’ve eaten are hot dogs, steak-ums, and canadian p*ssy
get the f*** cross the street and plant yo a** on the stoop.
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Islama-Loans {September 16th, 2009 at 2:29 pm}
@The Champ, thank you good sir… so um, you never had SPAM?
everyone has had SPAM, it was fried in the same rusted pan as the Malcolm X steak (bologna).
true story.
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Me fail english? {September 16th, 2009 at 2:50 pm}
@Islama-Loans,
Hell nah! I aint never ate SPAM, potted meat or any of that funny looking bullshet!
I do enjoy canned corned beef from time to time though.
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Um, I wasn’t allowed to play cards because my mom thought it encouraged gambling. So anytime people whip out cards I just find other entertainment, because watching a card game without knowing what’s going on is worse than a baseball game.
As far as #7 though, I had a black friend in high school who was from Connecticut and had NO IDEA who Stevie Wonder was. I sang Ribbon in the Sky, Bad Mamma Jamma, All I Do…no recognition whatsoever. It hurt my heart.
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miss t-lee {September 16th, 2009 at 8:16 am}
@Peachy Keen,
Stevie didn’t sing “Bad Mamma Jamma” to popular belief…
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Smiley Face {September 16th, 2009 at 8:29 am}
@miss t-lee,
sure didn’t!
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TLC {September 16th, 2009 at 11:37 am}
@miss t-lee,
Bad Mamma Jamma=Carl Carlton
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miss t-lee {September 16th, 2009 at 11:41 am}
@TLC,
You know what’s up!!!!
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Let’s see here.
You should know where “damn, damn, DAMN!” comes from….and have ability to recite it the same way.
You should know the magic of Dolemite.
Al Green and Teddy Pendergrass should take you to a happy place.
You have to have rode inside a Cadillac*, if not driven one (you don’t have to own one)
*No, Cimarrons don’t count….but a Ninety Eight or deuce and a quarter might.
You must be well versed in baggin’ on moms.
One needs to see a Spike Lee joint that Spike acted in…
And you only get a pass to have never eaten a neck bone of some sort of animal if you grew up vegetarian.
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Stuff Ghetto People Like {September 16th, 2009 at 8:25 am}
Come to think of it, even they don’t get a pass, because surely there’s a veggie neck bone! I mean hey, they already f*ck up some soy ribs (like I did in ‘02 at Imhotep’s in Brooklyn)….
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Me fail english? {September 16th, 2009 at 9:14 am}
@Stuff Ghetto People Like,
In NYC jails they serve soy ribs and the Muslims be TEARIN’ them bishes up!! That isht is like steak to them!
But come to think of it only the American side of the fam eats neckbones.
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Stuff Ghetto People Like {September 16th, 2009 at 9:49 am}
@Me fail english?, I figure there will be much that Brits, South Africans, et al, can’t relate to on this list either…so today’s post is pretty much for the Yanks.
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YGB {September 16th, 2009 at 12:21 pm}
@Stuff Ghetto People Like,
As a South African, it’s strange how much of the stuff mentioned I can relate to.I think many people underestimate the influence that America has e.g. a majority of our TV programming is American and radio stations play more international music than local
Smiley Face {September 16th, 2009 at 8:38 am}
@Stuff Ghetto People Like,
I was fitna give you the sideye but you get a pass for saying
“Al Green and Teddy Pendergrass should take you to a happy place.”
For the Good Times…waht? You gon make me get happy up in here!!
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BeBeLaStrange311 {September 16th, 2009 at 1:00 pm}
@Smiley Face,
My favorite song….
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WordSmith {September 16th, 2009 at 8:41 am}
@Stuff Ghetto People Like,
Is ‘baggin’ on moms’ the same thing as playing the dozens or ‘jonin” (if you’re from D.C.)?
I’m concerned for my blackness at this point. Please advise.
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Smiley Face {September 16th, 2009 at 8:45 am}
@WordSmith,
lol…I think it does. Jonin’ was the first thing that came to mind, lol
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miss t-lee {September 16th, 2009 at 9:04 am}
@WordSmith,
We called it cappin’, or cappin’ on n*ggas.
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Stuff Ghetto People Like {September 16th, 2009 at 9:51 am}
Yeah, guys, it’s the same, we call it “baggin’” in SoCal…
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The Champ {September 16th, 2009 at 1:36 pm}
@WordSmith,
we call it “rippin” in the burgh and surrounding area and sh*t
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Hip Hop.
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Stuff Ghetto People Like {September 16th, 2009 at 8:27 am}
@Monk, also whatever your local hood hit was, even if it wasn’t Hip-Hop.
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afterthought {September 16th, 2009 at 8:46 am}
@Monk,
Not just Hip Hop, but they should know the story of hip hop, some of the early controversies, The Message – they should know The Message. And definitely a notable like Tupac!
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OrangeStar616 {September 16th, 2009 at 9:07 am}
@afterthought, and
for Dc folks knowledge of some of the early GO GO, the origins etc
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Smiley Face {September 16th, 2009 at 9:14 am}
@OrangeStar616,
You betta tell it!
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IVR {September 16th, 2009 at 9:57 am}
@OrangeStar616, “for Dc folks knowledge of some of the early GO GO, the origins etc”
Y’all DC folks need to stop getting all surprised at outta town folks who dont know who Chuck is. That and not eating “soul” food had people looking at me all kindsa crazy around this building.
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Smiley Face {September 16th, 2009 at 10:11 am}
@IVR,
well she did say for DC folks, lol.
Its not just Chuck (and the Soul Searchers though. You’ve got to know who JY, BYB, Trouble Funk, Young Dynamos, EU are if you’re really from DC, lol.
afterthought {September 16th, 2009 at 10:59 am}
@OrangeStar616,
I don’t know if I can co-sign on this. I mean, the first thing I learned about go-go’s was the violence and that scared me enough to stay away from it until I moved away from DC and somebody else who was from DC asked me if I knew about it. Then I learned about Chuck Brown, Rare Essence, JY, BYB, etc. But I still aint never been to one cause they always be gettin shot up.
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Freaknik {September 16th, 2009 at 1:18 pm}
@afterthought,
Preach. If u knew from when u were a kid where Doin the Butt came from the 1st time u heard the song in School Daze. u get extra points on the blackness exam
blk ppl should also know:
momma jokes will get your back dirty… if someone says “my momma is dead”. the game is over then.
al sharpton is really a pimp named slick back.
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shrifryryeisoverit! {September 16th, 2009 at 12:40 pm}
@Islama-Loans, LOL. so, nell carter’s dopleganger used to stay picking on me. i was in middle school, she was a junior. i don’t know what her deal was, she turned every encounter into a “roast overit” session. i had ample ammo to make her cry, i mean…if you saw what i saw, you would know why. i just didn’t wanna go there. i guess she was not appreciative of how i would just look at her laugh, and make a joke to my friends and have them all fall out. so she decided to try to fight me! lol, all in the hallway, the whole school was watching cause you know don’t nobody have nothing better to do but create such a tight knit circle you couldn’t run if you wanted to. so, my girl, who had just moved from cali and was just as wreckless as they come stood with me (my girl!!!!), but shanika (yes, that was her name) started making skinny jokes, i said something bout her mama, she started sobbing talkin bout “my mama dead”. i was stunned for a moment but i still went in on her, “does that mean you’re gonna stop being so ugly, your mama would NOT want you to behave in this manner”.
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I still can’t play spade and I refuse to learn. This is a good list, good to know my blackness is in fact, intact.
My contributions:
1.Knowing how to pick a suitable switch for your whupping
2. What the initals EWF stand for
3. The ending to the phrase, “who in the hell…”
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OrangeStar616 {September 16th, 2009 at 8:43 am}
@miss t-lee, LMAO yeah pick one on the skinny side but not to skinny and not wiry LOL..I memba my Uncle Charles broke off half a tree top and brought in the house, making everybody crack the he11 up and was trying to save me from the whooping, how cool……I miss my uncle Charles, God bless his soul.
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miss t-lee {September 16th, 2009 at 8:47 am}
@OrangeStar616,
Awww…what a cool Unc you had!!!
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afterthought {September 16th, 2009 at 8:48 am}
@OrangeStar616,
This may not be a requirement for Blackness, but I just love that line from Crossroads, “And I miss my uncle Charles yal, he shouldn’t be gone, in front of his home, what dey did to boo was wrong….. “
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8th Wonder {September 16th, 2009 at 10:10 am}
@afterthought,
But I feel you though. Sometimes I just bust out with, “And I miss my Uncle Charles, yall” and if I get no response, I immediately find new people to be with.
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miss t-lee {September 16th, 2009 at 10:12 am}
@8th Wonder,
*snickering*
Stuff Ghetto People Like {September 16th, 2009 at 9:48 am}
@miss t-lee,
3. The ending to the phrase, “who in the hell…”
…..LEFT THE GATE OPEN!!!!
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miss t-lee {September 16th, 2009 at 9:56 am}
@Stuff Ghetto People Like,
Yes sir!!!!!
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Cheekie {September 16th, 2009 at 10:51 am}
@miss t-lee,
“2. What the initals EWF stand for”
REASONS, the REE-SONS that we’re HERE!
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miss t-lee {September 16th, 2009 at 11:01 am}
@Cheekie,
Yep!!!!
Keep your head to the sky chick.
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Me fail english? {September 16th, 2009 at 11:01 am}
@Cheekie,
lol. Last year my mama’s friend damn near flipped a table over and cut me cuz I disagreed with her on what that song was about. She gave some big elaborate story about Mo being scared to admit he loved a woman and pretending to just use her for chex. I guess that’s possible, but where the eff did you pull all that from?
Another thing black ppl should know. Dont go round disagreeing with folks at an open bar function unless you ready to throw down!
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shrifryryeisoverit! {September 16th, 2009 at 12:41 pm}
@miss t-lee, umm my (rude) aunt would have someone else pick your switch, and if they came back with one not suitable, she would make them go back, lol.
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miss t-lee {September 16th, 2009 at 12:44 pm}
@shrifryryeisoverit!,
I had to go back and repick a switch many times…I was always an azzhole even from waaaay back.
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Me fail english? {September 16th, 2009 at 12:52 pm}
@miss t-lee,
lmao! Thank goodness I aint grow up where there was trees!
Wait a minute. On second thought that’s probably why I got beat with rolled up newspapers
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IVR {September 16th, 2009 at 12:56 pm}
@Me fail english?, “Wait a minute. On second thought that’s probably why I got beat with rolled up newspapers ”
Or an extension cord. Moms would take her asthma machine and we would just know an @ss woopin was coming. . . all building up to it and sh!t.
Me fail english? {September 16th, 2009 at 1:22 pm}
@IVR,
LMAO @ getting beat with a nebulizer.
I also got beat with them long ass TV antennae. How come we couldnt have rabbit ears like normal ppl
Oh I got another one…you must know what the statement ‘I wish’ means and know how to use it properly! lol
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miss t-lee {September 16th, 2009 at 8:51 am}
@Smiley Face,
Like I WISH a nuh would…
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Smiley Face {September 16th, 2009 at 9:07 am}
@miss t-lee, LOL…or I wish a MFer WOULD…!
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Cheekie {September 16th, 2009 at 10:55 am}
@Smiley Face,
HAHA…I love in Kanye’s lyric “Good Life” is “The only thing I wish, I wish a nicca would”. The deep voice effect helps, too.
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I like to add know how to dance or at least two step, with some kind of rhythm about you.
know what the black fist pick is.
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Cheekie {September 16th, 2009 at 10:57 am}
@OrangeStar616,
I was gonna add dance, too. Or if you don’t have rhythm like Tyra, then don’t do the white man’s overbite.
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KoolAid & polarizing in the same sentence is just too much… In addition to the above, please know:
Pot Liquor is an essential component of your pot of greens. Yes, I’ve had someone try to serve and/or sell me dry, wilted greens. In the South.
Jiffy Cornbread should have a sprinkling of sugar in it. They left that off the box ‘on accident,’ tho.
Conversely, grits should NOT have a sprinkling of sugar added. They already make that and it’s called Farina.
*You should have a spending cap of hmmm $16.47 for
McDowell’sany fastfood purchase to feed you & your kids. Anything more clearly signifies a missed opportunity to visit your local grocery store and cook a real meal! Chick in front of me spent like $23 and sh*t one day.Speaking of groceries, the #1 thing that allus need to know is that the foodstamp to cash conversion is neva-eva sposed to be 1:1. Not neva. Annnd since we’re in a recession, I really need to see the feverish baby whose prescription you’re tryna fill so you need $44.99 cash for $45 worth of EBT swipin.
*I’ll extend this to all Americans. Folks from other nations don’t do ridiculously wasteful shiii like this, or at least it’s never been brought to my attention.
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miss t-lee {September 16th, 2009 at 8:55 am}
@bittersweet’s baby,
“Yes, I’ve had someone try to serve and/or sell me dry, wilted greens. In the South.”
Oh no!!! *throat punch*
“Jiffy Cornbread should have a sprinkling of sugar in it.”
Exactly. Just a sprinkling, not a whole cup…otherwise you might as well bake a freakin’ cake…lmao
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Smiley Face {September 16th, 2009 at 9:01 am}
@bittersweet’s baby,
“Conversely, grits should NOT have a sprinkling of sugar added.”
weeelllllll I agree somewhat. This can be geographical (my daddy is from Kentucky so I don’t know). We ate themdifferent ways, with sugar and butter or with everything but the kitchen sink thrown in…eggs, sausage, scrapple, bacon…everything, lol, with a a biscuit or as a substitute for rice.
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OrangeStar616 {September 16th, 2009 at 9:09 am}
@Smiley Face, it depends on how you eat grits, sometimes I like sugar and butter with breakfast foods, and sometimes pepper and hot sauce with fish/dinner foods
I prefer cornbread from corn meal etc not jiffy so much, thats the fake cornbread LOL
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Me fail english? {September 16th, 2009 at 9:27 am}
@OrangeStar616,
This makes me think. What culture is responsible for fried catfish and spaghetti? I officially love them. That ish was like my fav meal growing up that my Bajan/Panamanian/Brooklynite Grandpa used to cook for me. But smthg about it feels distinctly American.
YUM!
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miss t-lee {September 16th, 2009 at 9:32 am}
@Me fail english?,
You know I had never heard of anyone eating catfish and spaghetti until I met my homegirl who grew up in Illinois.
I still side eye her from time to time. lol
It’s just something we never did down this way.
Catfish was one meal, and spaghetti was one meal. We never put them together…lol
bittersweet's baby {September 16th, 2009 at 9:53 am}
@Me fail english?,
Fried fish & Spaghetti was the standard Friday dinner growing up. Mmmm
IVR {September 16th, 2009 at 10:12 am}
@Me fail english?, “That ish was like my fav meal growing up that my Bajan/Panamanian/Brooklynite Grandpa used to cook for me. But smthg about it feels distinctly American.”
It wasn’t the Panamanian/Brooklynite side . . . Never heard of such a combination.
OrangeStar616 {September 16th, 2009 at 10:17 am}
@Me fail english?, I on’t know but we do fried chicken wings etc, spaghetti, side salad, toasted and buttered baget round these parts….. now that some good eating
Me fail english? {September 16th, 2009 at 10:43 am}
@OrangeStar616,
That sounds good as hell!
@IVR,
Yeah I knew it wasnt his culture(s). Catfish is definitely an American thang.
@miss t-lee,
Funny part is, I never make it for myself cuz alone I dont like catfish and I cant stand any type of pasta, so I never buy the ingredients. Together, tho? Oh, oh, oh…IT’s MAGIC!
Cheekie {September 16th, 2009 at 11:00 am}
@Me fail english?,
“You know I had never heard of anyone eating catfish and spaghetti until I met my homegirl who grew up in Illinois.”
Yeah, that was the Friday meal at Grandma’s.
I still eat Spaghetti alone as a meal, though. It’s cheap and fast and lasts for days. lol
Smiley Face {September 16th, 2009 at 9:29 am}
@OrangeStar616,
“I prefer cornbread from corn meal etc not jiffy so much, thats the fake cornbread LOL”
I agree but every time I say it I get the sideye from somebody! LOL
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Cheekie {September 16th, 2009 at 11:01 am}
@Smiley Face,
My mama makes it from corn meal, too.
I like both, actually.
But cornbread ain’t got NUFFIN’ on hot water bread. WHOO. *mouth waters*
bittersweet's baby {September 16th, 2009 at 9:49 am}
@Smiley Face,
Not SCRAPPLE!!! Now that’s truly some ole geechie madness that my daddy still loves…
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Smiley Face {September 16th, 2009 at 10:01 am}
@bittersweet’s baby,
LOL..Yes…all day long!
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OrangeStar616 {September 16th, 2009 at 10:13 am}
@bittersweet’s baby, it don’t look right raw, all grey and whatnot I never would even try Scrapple, my main question was always what is it LMAO
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Smiley Face {September 16th, 2009 at 10:28 am}
@OrangeStar616,
and hog’s head cheese!..Lawd my daddy introduced us to some ‘delicacies’ LOL!
miss t-lee {September 16th, 2009 at 10:35 am}
@OrangeStar616,
“hog’s head cheese”
My Dad still eats this ish…
Nastiness.
Cheekie {September 16th, 2009 at 11:03 am}
@OrangeStar616,
*gags* @ hog head cheese.
My grandma used to make me hog head cheese sammiches…I was the only first grader with that sh*t in a sea of PB&J. I didn’t have the
gutsheart to tell her that ish made me vomit. You don’t tell a woman who gets a social security check that you don’t want what food she provides you. lolMe fail english? {September 16th, 2009 at 11:19 am}
@Cheekie,
LMAO! I feel for you girl.
Sounds like me and my sisters hiding all the Lemon cookies (the big ass clear pack), no frills peanut butter and Murry’s “crabcakes” whenever Grandpa came by and pretending we ate it cuz it was so yummy. I mean, we’s HONGRY…but not THAT hungry.
afterthought {September 16th, 2009 at 12:27 pm}
@Smiley Face,
See, this is another one of those arguments I get into (like the salt on watermelons thing). Some people like salt and pepper in their grits and some people like sugar. I grew up puttin sugar in my grits, but when I got to college (around them fancy people), I learned to like salt and pepper in them, but aint nothin wrong with sugar in grits.
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The Champ {September 16th, 2009 at 1:39 pm}
@bittersweet’s baby,
Conversely, grits should NOT have a sprinkling of sugar added. They already make that and it’s called Farina.
i’ll fight you over being able to put sugar on my grits.
seriously. fight.
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