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.
- Things Drunk White People Do That Black People Don’t Do…Unless We’re Being Black
- Judging Books By Their Covers: 13 Nouns I Just Can't Trust
- Ya Unnastand: Things Black Folks Do That White People Don’t Understand
- Valentine’s Day Alternatives for Those Without Plans Or People To Plan Stuff With
{ 485 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.
@Selah,
That’s learned in minute one of the 101 course, lmao!
@Selah,
my mom would say the same thing… and she’s not black. lmao
@Selah, i think all Black folks here that saying at least 203 times in their life. at least…
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.
@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.
@Vega, thanks for delurking!! lol
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.
@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.
@Monk,
Massive cosign.
It’s to the point now where I’m actively avoiding this movie.
@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
@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
@Omar, The Color Purple is the best!!!!!!!
@Omar, i don’t think that makes up for it. though that’s quite the blackness resume.
You should also know where the picture you posted is from….. “I Want You” Marvin Gaye….
@Simply Amazin, actually…it didn’t come from the Marvin Gaye album…it was used for the marvin gaye album…
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!
@shrifryrye,
you learn by observation…and follow suit!!!
@shrifryrye, as far as I remember, I only played once ever….
@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.
@Panama Jackson,
i feel like you either play or have never played.
***filed under “things omar little would say if he were on vsb”***
@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
@Me fail english?,
Tunk/tonk is a knock off of rummy/gin rummy
@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.
@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
@shrifryrye,
I can’t play Spades either, but i got nine out of ten too.
@shrifryrye, aww..come to Memphis, I shall take you under my wing…..
I am a beast on them spades!
@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.
@Gem of the Ocean, yes! teach me, i’m a fast learner!
@shrifryryeisoverit!,
yes! teach me, i’m a fast learner!
if i had a dollar…
@The Champ,
But you don’t. Nuff said.
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.
@Miss Patterson,
not wt?
“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.
@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.
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*
@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!!
@SoJo, hell, I’ve never even heard of tunk…maybe it’s a regional thing? Like celo?
@Stuff Ghetto People Like,
what?!! where your peoples from?
@Stuff Ghetto People Like,
C-lo’s regional? I thought that was nationwide!
@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.
@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.
@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.
@SoJo, I didn’t know it was Tunk, we always said TONK (like TAW-NK). lol
@Nicki Sunshine,
yup! LOL..That’s how my Daddy pronounced it (he’s from KY too, lol)
@Smiley Face, LOL!!!!
@Nicki Sunshine,
We pronounce it Tonk also.
@miss t-lee, I don’t remember how to play it now though… lol
@Nicki Sunshine,
Shooo girl, I never learned to play that one either…
@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.
@Lanieanna, I’ve never heard of that one.. How do u play?
@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
@Lanieanna,
Ok, I actually learned how to play this! Strangely enough from some Cubans. lol
@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
@Lanieanna, we say “pitty pat”. oh and I also say Tonk, Rummy, etc. Gin Rummy to be specific. LOL
@Reecie,
that is how its spelled… but you know….. you do you know that has every mentioned the game, actually anunciates the t?
@Nicki Sunshine,
Same here. It took me a min to realize that was what he was talking about.
@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
@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
@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.
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
@shay_d_lady,
“Complete this refrain
“I was born by the river…”
In a little tent!!! Love San Cooke.
@shay_d_lady,
Also you need to instantly recognize “Be Thankful” before the third beat and know who sang it.
@Smiley Face,
LOL!!! But you know most folks think Curtis Mayfield sang it.
@miss t-lee,
Girl!! I’m like “um NO, no he didn’t” they will argue you down though!
@Smiley Face,
They shol’ will. I’ve had the arguement too many times…lol
@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.
@Me fail english?,
a-hahahahha.
@Me fail english?,
Tee hee…folks like “William DeVaughn? Who dat be? Dat dere Curtis Mayfield sang dat dere song!”
@Me fail english?,
and you should be doubly ashamed if you’re from DC and didn’t know that, lol
@ 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.
@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
@shay_d_lady,
you forgot “oo-oooo-oooo” LMAO!!!
@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.
@Captain Morgan,
Amen *moment of silence*
@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.
@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
@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.
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?”
@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…
@Omar,
*sings* As long as you keeeeeep your head to the skyyyyyy…
@WordSmith,
………. Be OP-I-MIST-IC!
@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…
@Panama Jackson,
Hold on. Change is coming. Everythang will be alright.
@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.
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…
@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.
@Nicki Sunshine,
Okay!!! I sittin’ here bout to break out in song!
@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.
@Beez (It’s Been a Long Time, I Shouldn’ta Left You), i agree. sitcom knowledge is a must
@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….
@Stuff Ghetto People Like,
I keep forgetting UPN existed as a network. Dang.
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.
@John Cutter, you must explain the genius of Ike Turner. you must…
@John Cutter,
welcome and sh*t
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…@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.
@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!
@YGB, i didn’t mention this one on my list but it should probably be #1.
@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.
@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.
@afterthought, how could anybody not love Martin????
@Maximillian,
People don’t read enough anymore…I definitely co-sign on the books you mentioned, as well as the authors.
@miss t-lee, people also don’t dance no mo’, all they do is this.
@Maximillian,
Don’t forget “That’s My Mama”(I have the dvd), “Amen” , “Gimme a Break”…I think I watched too much tv, lol
@Smiley Face,
*DEAD* @ you having the “That’s my Mama” DVD collection
@Me fail english?,
Tee hee hee, and what’s worse is the show began and ended before I was born…such an old soul!
@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
@miss t-lee,
So humming the theme song now!
@Smiley Face,
ooh, i love ‘amen.’ i record it everyday like it’s all new.
@charli skipper,
Right!! LOL
@Smiley Face,
The DVD huh? So ummm did Randy Watson play Joe the Policeman on the “What’s Goin’ Down” episode?
@Maximillian,
CTFU!!!!!
@Maximillian,
*DEAD*
@Maximillian,
LMAO!!! Stop it!
@Maximillian, greatest.question.ever.
@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.
@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
@Cheekie,
you know what? i’m goin to need them to start showing reruns of 227 again. jackee reminds me of my momma.
@charli skipp,
*Jackee-voice* Maaaaaary.
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
@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.
@Omar,
That’s my favorite part to reenact when things go awry…
*punching fists like Cuba in Boyz*
ALWAYS wins.
@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….
@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
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?
@JamaicanGirlisback, no, you can’t.
Damn….i thought that picture was from Goodtimes…my bad…..blackness still intact though, i’m good on the errathang else…
@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.
@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!
@YGB, I am currently sailing off the coast of Africa, have visited Morocco on my way to Ghana and then South Africa.
@Intellectual Hedonist,
Wow! That sounds so awesome.I’m jealous. What places are you planning on visiting in South Africa?
@Intellectual Hedonist,
*green*
I hope you have fun, girl! I’m sure you are already!
@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.
I think I will add:
1. Our history with the LAPD
2. The awesome power of a leather belt and a peach tree switch
@The Lioness,
..or a houseshoe
@Smiley Face,
or a hair brush
@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???
@Lanieanna,
LMAO!!! Mama didn’t play!!
@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!!!!
@miss t-lee,
or a wet sock
@The Champ,
I have to hear this story…
@The Champ,
That shyte hurts!!!! The only thing worse is a wet towel
@Smiley Face,
or a hanger, either plastic or wire, though for some reason, plastic hurts more.
@8th Wonder,
ain’t that the truth!
@8th Wonder, omggg, THE HANGER! i thought was just africans, lmao! the plastic was THE worst!
@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.
@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.
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***
@Nicki Sunshine,
LOL.
Or “stop riding that door” or “get some Epsom salt and take a nap”.
@Nicki Sunshine,
Also add “a hard head makes a soft behind”
@Nicki Sunshine,
“I will slap you into the middle of next week”
RIP to my moms, she was a G.
@miss t-lee,
awww RIP mama t-lee
*pours out a lil likka*
@miss t-lee, aww, RIP moms.
((hugs))
@miss t-lee,
*joins in the RIP for mama t-lee*
@Cheekie, shrifryryeisoverit!, Gem of the Ocean
Thanks ya’ll.
*hugs*
@Nicki Sunshine,
My mama: ‘I will slap the light off your skin’ (I’m light skinned, lol).
@Smiley Face,
my mamma: Don’t make me tap dance on dat a$$
@Lanieanna, LMAO!!! Not tap dance!
@all:
YAW, those are hilarious!!!!!!
@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.
@8th Wonder, LMAO- she was NOT playin.
@Nicki Sunshine,
My mother is insane, and I was VERY well-behaved, lmao.
@8th Wonder, LOL! WE need more insane mamas today then,
@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.
@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?!
@Cheekie, Ain’t it???!!!! I was like, Geez, I told the truth!
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.
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
@Islama-Loans,
“vasaline is multifunctional- can be used for everything:”
As are Windex and butter.
@Me fail english?, and dishwashing liquid LOL
@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………
@OrangeStar616,
OMG!! WHAT and you better know how/when to pierce the bubble! LOL….good times
@Smiley Face,
OH snap!!!!! Mayne, my Dad used to throw down with the fried baloney sammiches.
I ain’t had one in years!!!
@Smiley Face,
*dying* at piercing the bubble.
This mess is making my cry with nostalgia.
@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.
@Islama-Loans,
“lawry’s seasoning “..pronounced louw-reez, lol
@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.
@OrangeStar616,
Back when I ate bologna, fried was the only way I ate it. Bringin’ me BACK!
@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?
@Me fail english?,
But in retrospect, wtf IS bologna and why does it look/feel sooo un-meatlike? .
LMAO. GREAT question.
@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!
@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.
@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.
@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!
@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…
@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.
@luvtheshoes, shut up!!! I’m “from” the midwest and they wouldn’t do that. but, they will put sugar on spaghetti.
@Islama-Loans, this is like syrup sammiches all over again. i never liked bologna noways!
@shrifryryeisoverit!,
somewhere along the lines, my mother became bougois….. bologna, and lunchon meat ( lunchy meat ) was not allowed in our home!
@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.
@shrifryryeisoverit!,
lol! And sugar water.
@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…
@Islama-Loans,
This is actually the only way I’ve ever seen South Africans (just kids) consume Kool-Aid (well,without the sugar though)
@Islama-Loans,
LMAO!!!!
@Islama-Loans,
Yeah, umm… eating dry kool aid don’t need sugar, you might as well just eat plain sugar…
@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
@The Champ,
Oh my dayum! LMAO!
@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.
@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.
@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.
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.
@Peachy Keen,
Stevie didn’t sing “Bad Mamma Jamma” to popular belief…
@miss t-lee,
sure didn’t!
@miss t-lee,
Bad Mamma Jamma=Carl Carlton
@TLC,
You know what’s up!!!!
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.
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)….
@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.
@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.
@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
@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!!
@Smiley Face,
My favorite song….
@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.
@WordSmith,
lol…I think it does. Jonin’ was the first thing that came to mind, lol
@WordSmith,
We called it cappin’, or cappin’ on n*ggas.
Yeah, guys, it’s the same, we call it “baggin’” in SoCal…
@WordSmith,
we call it “rippin” in the burgh and surrounding area and sh*t
Hip Hop.
@Monk, also whatever your local hood hit was, even if it wasn’t Hip-Hop.
@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!
@afterthought, and
for Dc folks knowledge of some of the early GO GO, the origins etc
@OrangeStar616,
You betta tell it!
@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.
@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.
@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.
@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.
@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”.
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…”
@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.
@OrangeStar616,
Awww…what a cool Unc you had!!!
@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….. “
@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.
@8th Wonder,
*snickering*
@miss t-lee,
3. The ending to the phrase, “who in the hell…”
…..LEFT THE GATE OPEN!!!!
@Stuff Ghetto People Like,
Yes sir!!!!!
@miss t-lee,
“2. What the initals EWF stand for”
REASONS, the REE-SONS that we’re HERE!
@Cheekie,
Yep!!!!
Keep your head to the sky chick.
@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!
@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.
@shrifryryeisoverit!,
I had to go back and repick a switch many times…I was always an azzhole even from waaaay back.
@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
@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.
@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
@Smiley Face,
Like I WISH a nuh would…
@miss t-lee, LOL…or I wish a MFer WOULD…!
@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.
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.
@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.
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.
@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
@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.
@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
@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!
@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
@Me fail english?,
Fried fish & Spaghetti was the standard Friday dinner growing up. Mmmm
@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.
@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
@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!
@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
@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
@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*
@Smiley Face,
Not SCRAPPLE!!! Now that’s truly some ole geechie madness that my daddy still loves…
@bittersweet’s baby,
LOL..Yes…all day long!
@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
@OrangeStar616,
and hog’s head cheese!..Lawd my daddy introduced us to some ‘delicacies’ LOL!
@OrangeStar616,
“hog’s head cheese”
My Dad still eats this ish…
Nastiness.
@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. lol@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.
@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.
@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.
Shooot I got all o them and the pressure to boot. Crossing my fingers I don’t get the diabetes.
@WuDaMan,
not the sugar! LOL
@WuDaMan,
“the diabetes”
lol.
WE always add extra words to things. My mom can’t just say I have to stop at BP to get gas. She says, “I have to stop at the B and P.”
@Voiceofreason,
Black ppl also love to make up words. Half my fam still calls the president “Barama”. Or they like to pluralize things like “Red Lobsters”, “Joe Buddens”, etc. Love my people
@Me fail english?,
I love my peoples, too. We always gotta get creative with ish, and it’s lovely.
WORD on the pluralizing. Like how we say “Aldis” instead of “Aldi”. I once heard a non-black woman refer to the grocery store as “Aldi” and it sounded so weird to my ears, I had to take a moment to figure out what she was talmbout*.
*There’s another blackism. How we get from talking about to talmbout, I’ll never know, but we know how to smooth some words up so it just rolls off your tongue. Same with “finna” or “fin to”. We cool like that.
@Cheekie,
Down here it’s “fixin’ to”….hahahah
@Cheekie, I thought Kroger was Krogers, for like my entire life. LMAO.
@Me fail english?,
Yes! Red Lobsters! Or “that’s mines” instead of “that’s mine.” It kills me when some of us don’t even try to pronounce a word correctly like…
axed or assed = asked
or
ambalamps = ambulance
@Voiceofreason,
literally lol.
What about adding extra syllables to words…even when they’re reading the word!
“Jimmy was a mis-CHEE-vee-us (mischievous) boy…”
“She light-skinned-ed…”
lol. You know damn well you aint seen all them letters there!
@Voiceofreason,
Oh yeah, axed is a good one. I love how we just re-arranged ish and it’s official. We can re-write the ENTIRE Webster’s Dictionary and entitle it Tyrone’s Dictionary.
@Voiceofreason,
or fridg-a-rayta
@Lanieanna,
…or Fidg-ayta, the “r”-less version! Ha!
First heard in Philly, the same place I heard someone called “newsy” instead of “nosy”
@Lanieanna,
“or fridg-a-rayta”
My grandma called it by the brand name, Frigidaire. Even if the mofo was a Kenmore fridge. Country! I loved it.
@Voiceofreason,
lol, the red lobsters doesnt annoy me as much as “giant eagles”
“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 play spades but I suppose I could if I tried. I get the concept of the game but I don’t understand the fascination with it. Then again I’m not really fond of card games in general, with the exception of Uno. I love me some Uno. Haha.
@Voiceofreason,
Thank you.
I will eff up some uno!!!
@miss t-lee,
You can definitely learn to play by losing a few games. Your partner will either get so mad at you for not playing the right card “you mean you had an Ace of hearts and you played a 9?” or for not knowing how to bid right “if you gonna tell me you can ge 6, ima need you to get 4, aight?”.
@afterthought,
I hear you talking…
LMAO!!!
@afterthought,
Oh yeah. Folks go off on you if you say you can play spades and then eff up a game on some dumb shyt.
@Voiceofreason,
but you know its bad when the opposing team looks at you like..”for real, you gon play that” and stops the game to re-teach your azz how to play spades, your partner just sits there shaking their head!! LMAO!!!. Playing spades ain’t a game!
@Smiley Face,
And one of the best things is when you realize that your partner reniged but didn’t get called on it, so you’re sittin there tryin not to smile too hard so that they don’t notice. Or the whole thing about slamming the card down when you know you just took a book they were counting on, or bein like I got the rest of these and just putting down like 4 trumps.
@afterthought,
You can definitely learn to play by losing a few games
if this is true, then at this point, ivy skeets and gem of the ocean should be spades mavens
@Maximillian, “…should be able to name the center of black culture in their city”
I’m from DC it’s damn near the whole city and all of PG county for that matter.
@Omar, LMAO!!! Good answer I was trying to choose just one and I couldn’t!
@Omar, “whole city” would apply to Oakland, Detroit, and Atlanta too. Places you can’t think of a single non-Black from there…at least not in the past 30 years.
“provide some guidance into things that pretty much should be par the course for all people of the diaspora”
Nope. I think you missed that Disapora mark. This is a list of things all Black Americans should be aware of. It doesn’t take into account ppl who grew up outside of the US. With the exception of MJ and Stevie Wonder, a black person growing up in London or St. Lucia would have no real knowledge of these things. Especially back in the day. Now maybe, with the innanets and globalization and such, but definitely not back in the day.
@VeronicaL, “It doesn’t take into account ppl who grew up outside of the US. With the exception of MJ and Stevie Wonder, a black person growing up in London or St. Lucia would have no real knowledge of these things. ”
Or even some of us first generation kids who grew up immersed in a foreign culture. Good point.
@VeronicaL, Cosign
The Kool Aid one kills me. To this day my older sister claims that the only reason i grew taller than her is because once i was born the great Kool Aid embargo in my house was lifted and we actually got to partake.
@Captain Morgan,
Kool-aid is important, but whats also important is what we did when we aint have enough kool-aid left in the packet and still wanted to make something to drink. Thats when we were all fortunate enough to discover sugar water, and it was mighty tasty.
I got one…
All black people should know not to disparage other black people in front of mixed company (unless you have been directly affected, or the crime in question is so heinous that you MUST say something).
I’m looking at you Obama
@Dorian G.,
Uh oh!!!
@Dorian G., “I’m looking at you Obama”
Dude was an @sshole though . . . but I kinda agree with you since my 2520 coworker played the clip for me and I didn’t know how to feel about that.
@IVR,
No one disagreed that he wasn’t been an @sshole. However, we were all taught at an early age, either thru elders or thru experience, you don’t down another brotha in front of others. Period. Point Blank.
@Dorian G., “However, we were all taught at an early age, either thru elders or thru experience, you don’t down another brotha in front of others. ”
this is true.
@Dorian G.,
Yeah, I didn’t even look at it as the prez airing black people’s dirty laundry by calling Kanye a douche. But after Obama popped shet and apologized to the cop that hemmed up Prof. Gates I’ve BEEN over the POTUS giving his personal opinions on shet. Beer Summit deez.
@Dorian G.,
*gasp*
I ain’t even gonna lie, even though he told the truth, there is that other layer to it that makes a sista cringe.
@Dorian G.,
nah, even if the crime in question is heinous, you still don’t say nothin. Look at how Black people defended OJ.
@afterthought,
nah, even if the crime in question is heinous, you still don’t say nothin. Look at how Black people defended OJ.
yeah. that whole “not speaking up about heinous sh*t” works wonders in the hood
@The Champ,
Whats that saying? “Snitches get stitches”
@Dorian G.,
I disagree….. if your coonin’ & foolywangin… I WILL NOT APPROVE!!
@Lanieanna,
You don’t have to approve, and I don’t expect you to. HOWEVER, you do not show dissent and weakness in front of Chip and Becky.
@Dorian G.,
“HOWEVER, you do not show dissent and weakness in front of Chip and Becky.”
*dying* @ Chip and Becky. WHY did I picture them as newlyweds? lol
You all are hilarious and thank you for helping me get through my day. As a long time lurker I am happy to add that all black people need to know when to through up the fist to exert the black power stance. Also know how to properly acknowledge the head nod and the hood handshake. I’m from the suburbs and never learned how to play spadea do I get to keep my blackcard?
@akilah, uhhh .. . so where’d you learn the hood handshake? LoL I suck at spades too tho so I can’t talk sh!t. My folks mostly play dominoes . . . until I saw folks playing this strange 4 way domino business . . .then I just gave up on “accepted” games all together.
@akilah,
welcome and sh*t
“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.”
We end sentences with prepositions here in Chicago very proudly. “Where you at?” and such. Oh, if Joe Wilson don’t need no grammar, neither do we. Unlike him, I think if you know the rules, you can break ‘em.
As far as Kool-Aid, it is a staple in my house/family. In fact, I am known as Kool-Aid Girl (dubbed by my bro-in-law) because I make the best Kool-Aid in the streets. Not too sweet, not too sour, not too watery. Purrfect. Of course, that’s subjective. But, actually, it’s scientific fact according to Darwin.
Other mess Black folk should be aware of:
- Dick Cheney. I say be aware of him because that mofo likes to lurk in the woods shooting folks’ faces off so next time you’re in the forest preserve Q-ing it up, look out for him because ya’ll know who he’s gonna aim for first.
- Sitcoms such as Good Times, Jeffersons, Sanford & Son and the like. At least know the dayum premise and/or theme song. I know the last one doesn’t have words, but we like to sing “Shady Grady, had a truck had a truck had a truck…” to the tune. Where the eff I got that from, I have no idea. The guy who wrote those lyrics got lost in the Bermuda Triangle or something. But, when I was a shorty, one grown folk told me those were supposed to be the lyrics and I believed her.
- Denzel is better than you.
@Cheekie,
- Dick Cheney. I say be aware of him because that mofo likes to lurk in the woods shooting folks’ faces off so next time you’re in the forest preserve Q-ing it up, look out for him because ya’ll know who he’s gonna aim for first.
every black family should have a dick cheney alert/gps in their household, just so we all know when he’s within 5,000 yards
@Cheekie,
In New Orleans… the word “huh” which most people use to request a person to repeat themselves… is mostly used to emphasize the “WOW” factor in something. we would say “huh!” as in “huh bruh!” vs. “huh?” as in “huh? WTF” not that huh is even really a word to begin with.
other New Orleans made up words and phrases”
earl= oil
furl= foil
urrnge=orange
oh but no!= really?
make groceries= grocery shopping
ya heard me!=can you see my perspective
shaab= very sharp or nice looking
purnt=point
turr-lit= toilet/bathroom… a pers may say.. “go to the turr-lit and wash yo hands” then turr-lit means bathroom
Fa-true?= no way!
I am sure there are many more.. i just gotta think on it
@Lanieanna,
“shaab= very sharp or nice looking”
Yeah, this is close to my heart because it is used a lot in my family. We’re from Chicago, but a lot of Black Southerners migrated up here so incorporate Southern talk a lot.
My mama/aunts used to always say, “Yeah, she look shaaaaaaab!”.
I believe:
Steve Harvey = shaab standard
lol
@Lanieanna,
Where is “yes, indeedy”?
LOL–A lady I go to church with is from NO and I love to hear her say that.
@Lanieanna,
“urrnge=orange”
Haha. my Maw (grandma) from Georgia says that too!
Here’s some stuff the Yankee side of my fam says that I cant identify the origin of
grine=groin
samin’=salmon
crowns=crayons
that’s all I can think of for now. The carib side mostly effs up the syntax/grammar, not the actual words:
you go with she=you go with her
she soon come= she’ll come soon
just now=soon, in a minute (actually I think this is fine and say it too)
great list, especially spades, tunk, kool-aid, Roots and Malcolm X. everything else is good, but those are great. I am as familiar with NOI as I am with Jehovah’s Witnesses. When you live in a hood where the JW’s come by your house early saturday morning with The Watchtower, and the NOI solicit their Final Call papers at the major street intersections with bean pies in tow, how could you not? My boyfriend hasn’t seen The Color Purple and I used to clown him about it. I bought the DVD recently. we will have to watch it together.
@Reecie,
My boyfriend hasn’t seen The Color Purple and I used to clown him about it. I bought the DVD recently. we will have to watch it together.
make sure you cook for him before you do. btw, by “cook for him” i mean “have sex with him”.
In addition to Hip Hop and Soul. Black people should also have at least some knowledge regarding the amazing influence that we have had on all music from the past 200 years. We invented all this sh!t. Rock and Roll, Jazz, Pop, Gospel. There wouldn’t have been country music if the Blues weren’t invented at the same time when slavery ended. I could give a lecture on this stuff man. Even if you don’t listen to Jazz, you need to know (at minimum) about Miles, Coltrane and Monk.
@Captain Morgan, let the church say AMEN.. not only music but mostly all things flavorful in AMerican Pop Culture are derived from us…vocabulary/slang, fashion and style, art and music, etc etc etc
@OrangeStar616, “let the church say AMEN”
how can this list be complete without some of the influence of the church, the good and the bad? Being dragged there on Sundays by mom or grandma, fallin asleep in their laps, watchin somebody catch the Holy Ghost and/or speak in Tongues. Bein unable to pay rent sometimes, but makin sure yal paid tithes, and hearin that verse “will a man rob God” every week.
@afterthought,
All that stuff above plus the whole day long services is what makes me thankful I was raised Roman Catholic. It used to be funny to go to my friends’ other family’s churches for the day tho (as long as I could sneak out early)
@Me fail english?,
Oh yeah, football season was the time when we’d all either take a break from church or skip out during the alter call. For one point in time though, I had a pastor who understood and would try and get us out by 12:30. But those long services was somethin else.
@afterthought,
Don’t forget the Building Fund.
@miss t-lee,
oh yeah, you right about that.
@afterthought, we should also know that that kind of church culture is what WE created. Wasn’t taught to us by 2520, we developed it.
I’m familiar with all 10 on the list. I haven’t read the Malcolm X book, and I can’t figure out what FOI means either but I do know about Islamic people exists(that should count). I really have enjoyed the comments though y’all kats are funny. Still confuses me when somebody can’t play spades though and color purple isn’t a chick flick. Its deeper than that. “You tole Hoppo to beat me?”Classic(we used to call a chick from school Sofia that chick is fine as hell now :smh:) we say crackin’ down here and whoever said earlier “I’s tied boss” that was funny as hell my brother and I say that because momma is a str8 up slave driver do this do that! Which adds to the list: if your parents didn’t make you come in from playing to turn the channel, answer the phone, fiddle with the rabbit ears or get them something to drink then deduct several points from your overall blackness. Oh and if you’ve never lost cool points for tripping or falling or spitting whilst talking deduct more points.
@GainesvilleGreen,
FOI= Fruit of Islam
@GainesvilleGreen,
if your parents didn’t make you come in from playing to turn the channel, answer the phone, fiddle with the rabbit ears or get them something to drink then deduct several points from your overall blackness.
Wow. It was one thing for kids to do their chores, but some parents swore they bore personal slaves.
@Stuff Ghetto People Like,
Yeah, my folks never made me do none of that. Most we had to do was whenever we asked to go out and play at Grampa’s he’d always interrupt our games and make us (and any other neighborhood kids in the yard) go out and dig the weeds out his “tomato” garden (I aint EVER seen a tomato sprout up outta there neither).
@Stuff Ghetto People Like,
Mine included. I remember when my bro got out of dish duty for track/football practice, and my sister (the “baby”) was too young, so all of the dishwashing duties went to me. I asked about the probability of a machine, my folks say “that’s what you’re here for.”
Dreams deferred. Especially the time a big glass pot full of hot water cracked in my hand, giving me stitches in the thumb. They were careful about giving me them dishes from then on…
@GainesvilleGreen, Islamic people exists(that should count).
Muslim people, not Islamic people:)
via the trusty AP Style Guide: Note that a follower of Islam is a Muslim. Use the word “Islamic” as an adjective for things, as in “Islamic architecture.”
@overit,
as with the word “oriental”
*Sigh*….. I too asked my mom what all black people should know- hey she’s been blacker longer than I have. She said: ‘George Washington Carver and Racism is alive’….SMH. That just about sums up the house I grew up in….. I had to direct her a bit to her less ‘black panther side’ and she began to roll the humor- as always:
1. Grits
2. The difference between good hair and bad hair
3.Gaytors
4. What being knocked into the middle of next week means….
5.Fried Chicken goes with collard greens
6. Chiterlings and Black eyed peas are New Year’s Eve Staples
7. Bid Wist trumps them all!
..I stopped her here, she was going in!
Oh boy. My childhood was amazing!
@Daydreamer,
“3.Gaytors”
Addendum: Also, “Now N’ Later Gators”.
Oh, and that reminds me, the “Now N’ Laters” candy is pronounced, “Nounlayters”.
@Cheekie,
haha. I STILL call em “NAR-a-laters” and errbody kno wut Im talkin bout too.
@Daydreamer, ……
Dont forget the cabbage….. ya gotta eat that on new years too…. If your grandma was southern, she may have put a little piece of raw cabbage in some alum. foil, and tacked it above the front door for good luck, and financial blessings! this post made my heart smile… reminicing
@Lanieanna, Whoa! I’ve NEVER heard of cabbage on the door. And I double checked with Mom (she IS about as Southern as you get) and she shaid ‘what da hell’?! Where is SHE from?’…as she then proceeds to list all of the financial ‘foods’: Pork- good luck, Black eyedpeas- money… I HAD to stop her.. SMH!
LOL! (smh)
@Daydreamer, on New years day we do Greens, and Black eyed peas ..it varies with regions I see, but the Black eye peas are universal
@Lanieanna,
My moms said Granny took collard greens, wrapped em in saran wrap and made them carry it in their wallets for finances…
We could probably get a whole “Weird New Years Traditions” thing going:
-Don’t let a female enter your house first after midnight, she brings trouble.
-Wash your house before midnight, else your house will be unkempt all year.
@Beez (It’s Been a Long Time, I Shouldn’ta Left You),
Yep, I always plot and plan to make sure a man crosses my threshold first on Jan 1st, lol.
I never understood the cleaning the house ish. Your house will not stay clean for 365 days, get over it, lmao!
@panamajackson, @Lanieanna,
Ahhhhh Mom adds:
- When babies have the hiccups you are supposed to put a wet piece of brown paper bag and place on forehead. It stops the hiccups…..
P, maybe your baby girl could find this technique useful?… lol!?
@Daydreamer,
and don’t forget ( when she has the hiccups) to tape a penny to her belly button, so she dont wind up with an “outie”…. and in the summer time, if she get the “heat” at night before she goes to bed, just rub some cornstarch on her face… and it will go away
@Daydreamer,
Or the burnt straw from a broom behind the ear to stop the hiccups.
@miss t-lee, @Lanieanna….
I’m here like *blank stare* Mom knows about the cornstarch but not the broom. But she says ‘wow that’s a good one’. LOL!
She adds: Rub beef fat on a babies chest when they get colds. It breaks the mucus up in their chest. Oh and for colds mix: Brandy, honey, lemon juice and ‘rock candy’. Shake. Pour. Drink. Repeat.
The vudu hodu black folk subscribe to is amazing! Where did we get this stuff?! Proof that we are all kindred spirits from the motherland. Slavery did a lot but we kept each other alive.
I need a ‘What to do for babies- according to southern black grandmothers For Dummies’ book. I’d never need a real Dr. for my kid. Sigh.
@Daydreamer,
“Oh and for colds mix: Brandy, honey, lemon juice and ‘rock candy’. Shake. Pour. Drink. Repeat. ”
My grandmother does that except she uses Wild Turkey and peppermints…
hahah I see I’m the only one with a wild grandma.
@Daydreamer,
lol at “Fried Chicken goes with collard greens” like collard greens is an entree
@The Champ,
WAIT!… Greens are not an entree? LOL! ROTFL! PWahahahahah!
@Lanieanna,
For real! I be tearing some greens up solo on Thanksgiving. Just a bowl of dayum greens (under the guise of “You want me do a taste test?”) and I’m happy.
Why is Ramen Noodles (aka Oodles of Noodles) not on this list????? That got me through being a little kid til the end of college. And it seems that just about every Black person I’ve met has similar stories, and similar recipes about how to make expensive looking dishes with a $0.10 pack of Ramens.
And my DC people should know all about Murry’s. I used to think Steaks was cheap cause we could get 12 T-Bone steaks for $9.99.
@afterthought,
NYC knows bout some Murry’s too. 100% Ribmeat, my arse…by the way, do chickens have ribs to make meat out of? In theory I guess so, but I’ve cut up too many whole chickens in my life to be convinced all that chicken they was producing was made of “100% Ribmeat”.
lol@ “Roman” noodles (what most of the ppl I know call it; I guess that makes it sound fancier or smthg)
@Me fail english?,
Yeah, I got to college and started calling them “Ramen Noodles” cause I thought “oodles of noodles” sounded too ghetto. I thought that if I was gonna be around fancy people, I needed to talk the fancy talk.
@afterthought,
Yeah, I used to call it Oodles of Noodles too. I’ve heard PLENTY of folks call it Roman Noodles and it cracks me up to this day. WTF, Caesar ain’t got NATHAN to do with some 5 cents packages of noodles.
@Cheekie,
Mmmm…Nathan’s. Which reminds me cut up hot dogs in the noodles…was this black or just ghetto? Chz doodles in the noodle for extra cheese flavoring?
@Me fail english?,
I’d say hot dogs in noodles is Black cause thats one of the first recipes you learn. I never leaned about the cheese doodles. I did learn to put a slice of cheese in there and it made for some good taste to it. Then there’s the whole way to make spaghetti with those noodles, or adding the noodles to some Campbell’s soup….I’m gettin hungry just thinkin about this stuff. I may have to stop by Murry’s on the way home and pick up some of this stuff.
@afterthought,
lol@ fancy talk
If you REALLY wanna be erudite wit it, call it “Top Ramen” and hold the spoon with one pinky in the air.
@Me fail english?,
you are tooooooooooooo funny! Ha! LOL @ panky in the air
@Lanieanna,
HAha. Beef flavor, I’d just keep it real. But girl, I gets brand NEW when I eat the oriental flavor. Esp. since when I was little Oriental/Chinese anything was considered fancy/exotic.
Which brings me to an addition to the list below…
@Me fail english?,
LMAO @ oriental flavor being fancy. I thought that mess too. Like, how you gon’ be fancy in any way shape or form when your product is worth a nickel a pack.
I will DIE (just die I tell you), if I hear there is a lobster flavored Ramen noodle pack. Fancy!
@Me fail english?, another regional thing…it was always called Top Ramen out here.
@afterthought, not from DC but we had Murry’s steakhouse in VA. and we used to rack up on the ribeyes, and I would always ask my mama for the strawberry shortcake ice cream bars they had in the freezer. loved those!
@Reecie,
Awe them Strawberry Shortcake bars. I can tell some stories about them things. Takes me back to when I was a kid all over again.
@afterthought,
Murry’s! I always used to wonder how Ma Dukes could buy enough food for 4 cookouts and only end up spending $55 at Murry’s.
@afterthought,
I haven’t had Ramen since college, but I still call it “Oodles A Noodles.”
@Voiceofreason, If I remember when I’m shopping I’ll buy a few–always shrimp, beef, and oriental flavors. oh and they got fancy and had cajun chicken flavor too. dont know if they still make that. they don’t carry the oodles of noodles “brand” where I live now, but I’ll always call them that. LOL. I try to keep a few packs in the house for those days I REALLY dont’ feel like cooking or going to get takeout. I’ve been known to drop some shrimp in there and have a good old time. dont judge me. LOL
@afterthought, I met Raman noodles in college and we were Bffs. I left him post college, when I thought I was grown. Now that my tax bracket has been reduced, he’s back on my Bff list. In fact, I just had some the other day for lunch. My coworker was like, why are you eating that?! I told him: ‘Ummmm, when my tax bracket changes, so will my food choice.’ ( I added chix sausage to give it some flair!) Thank you Mr. Raman. Muah!
And I don’t know if this is unique to Blacks or southerners or southern Blacks, but its somethin about salt on watermelons. I mean, thats just too a good taste to forget.
@afterthought, I like salt on watermelon, cantelope, grapefruits
@afterthought,
Hahahha my fam eats it this way.
Notice I siad my fam…me no eatey the melon.
I didn’t think this was just Southern, but who knows?
@miss t-lee,
I don’t know. This is an ongoing controversy between my friends from NY/Chicago vs my friends from Memphis/Jackson. Awe man the debates about the correct way to eat a watermelon can get long and heated and almost always end up in jonin (its so weird tryin to spell some of these words that I’m so used to only hearing)
@afterthought,
Well I guess I’m not helping your arguement since I’m from TX….lol
@miss t-lee,
Im tryna think if I even know anybody who eats watermelon? This here is a mango town! (lol) Nah but really, I’ve been to fancy restaurants that make watermelon based frisees/foams and ish but I dont know when last I seen sum1 stock watermelon at the market.
@Me fail english? ,
I love mango!! I will mess a mango up!
@afterthought, my fam is from NC and we definitely put salt on watermelon…and granny smith apple slices! LOL. I eat canteloupe and other melon plain though.
@afterthought,
I’m confused about that too. My mother and grandmother put salt on their watermelon and sometimes so do I. I grew up in Pgh and my black friends used to tell me it was weird. I’m guessing it’s a southern thing b/c my mom and grandma picked it up from my great grandma who grew up in Alabama.
@Voiceofreason,
This should answer any watermelon questions: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-eitsutpOc
@Maximillian,
Why does he sound like a few of my Uncles? *dying*
@afterthought,
yeah, i can’t eat a watermelon, a cantaloupe, or an apple without salt on it. i don’t know if this makes me black, country, or just likely to have hypertension
@The Champ, all of the above.
HAIR CARE AND HAIR CARE PRODUCTS
Being the product of a BLACK mother and a PUERTO RICAN FATHER (even thought the culture, hair texture, and ethnic backgrounds are very similar.. so technically im really not all that biracial) One think one thing I have always noticed is that it is very obvious when a biracial child has a Black mother.. All you have to do is look at the childs hair. My cousin(male) had a baby with a 2520, and all i can say is “po child”. YT women comb their hair with wig and round brushes, and style their hair with aerosol spray… we use rat-tail combs, bristle brushes, and spritz! Wether you currently use these products, or have used them in the past… these are things that we all should be familiar with, and know exacty what their purpose serves
royal crown (old school) this is usually associated with a bristle brush and a cup of water
marcels
)
brown gel/ pink gel /whyte gel
earl sheen ( oil sheen..
tcb
dax (for the fellas)
jam
pink oil (2520′s are familiar with this product.. but that is all they know about)
rat tails, and wide tooth combs
du-rags
silk scarves
shower caps ( if ur really hood, these can double as food covers at a bbq..un used of course)
tail and mane
kemi oil
bees wax
foam wrap
settin’ lotion
pump-it-up/ spritz
@Lanieanna,
I like how you just called it “jam”.
That’s all we ever called it…lmao!!
@miss t-lee,
jam had another name? LOL
@Smiley Face,
Yes…the proper name was Let’s Jam, but IDK anyone who ever called it that.
@miss t-lee,
ooo sseee! LOL
@miss t-lee,
Nobody called it that cuz the lettering on top was always the first to smudge and fade from all the grease/gel rubbed against it. Jam was always left behind in thick block letters. haha.
*I just made that up*
@ Me fail english?,
I know you just made it up…but it made complete sense.
@me fail,
HAHAHAHA! I co-sign t-lee, because that Jam explanation makes TOTAL sense. I know exactly what you’re talmbout. I just did the, “Yeah, you sholl is right” head nod.
@Lanieanna,
“tail and mane”
I thought 2520s invented that remix. No? I never have and never will use that stuff anyway. That goes for pink oil too (at least, never again). Good list tho.
@Me fail english?,
These days, the only items on that list i currently use are the combs, bristle brush ( for them slikk bac days ) spritz, and the marcels.. I couldn’t tell u the last time i “greased my scalp” HA!. One time, when I was in middle school, my mom bought me some jam, and that shyt had me with acne all around my hair line. I suggest if anyone uses jam it be in a fairly cool to cold climate.. If you sweat, or your body tempature raises…. it will melt and have your face greasy as hell! ( im laffin thinkin about it)
@Lanieanna,
That ish used to keep your forehead shinin’. I don’t think I’ve used it since I was a sophmore in HS.
@miss t-lee,
and don’t forget about 7 stage… for those who tried to do at home hair coloring…( and wanted to go blonde! hee-hee)…. ya see you got to mix in the 7 stage with the activator, put it in on the ends… then saturate it to the roots ( or u will have blonde roots, and black hair)…. dayum.. we had the formula down pakk!
@Lanieanna,
lol. What’s the name of that gel that turned chicks’ foreheads brown. That was just turrble. I still use half the stuff on that list. And it feels DAMN good to get my scalp greased. The dominicans do it for me everytime I go to them. Aaah!
@Me fail english?,
That would be pro-styl…lol
@Me fail english?,
this list can go on.. and on…… and onnnnnn… The list of black hair care products are infinate! 2520′s use head n shoulder for dandruff…. we used sulfer shampoo! ( I personally never had a dandruff/ dry scalp problem ) but i do memba the days when my mother/aunts/grandmothers thought that the secret to keeping a beautiful head of hair was to greazzze the scalp. I had that natural jherri curl thing poppin in the 80′s…. minus the jherri curl of course
@Lanieanna,
LOL. Grease can kick rocks. I use Cantu for my scalp…it works wonders in the winter when your hair is all dry and ish.
And that sulfur 8 is NO joke. Dandruff is its b*tch. It will erase some dandruff, for real.
@Cheekie, yo, Cantu is the ISH! and its so damn affordable!
@overit,
YES! I knew someone would mention the glorious price. 4 or 5 bucks for that BIG OL’ jar? Sold!
@Lanieanna,
LOL. this is a great list. I don’t use any of this stuff anymore, but Jam was my ish when I wore my high “fan” ponytail. I used clear gel to create the fan, and jam to keep my edges tight. lol.
@deN.I.A.l is not a river in Egypt….,
Dont forget the baby hair pumpin’. Ooowww
@Me fail english?,
LOL…yeah, baby hair was my STAPLE. Lookin’ back, it is SUCH foolery. *shrug* Ah well, good times.
@Lanieanna,
you know, to this day i’ve never worn a wave cap, and i haven’t put any grease in my hair since jordan’s second retirement.
Dang so I guess I’m only 80% black since I’ve never read the autobiography of Malcolm X nor did I know what FOI stood for until I googled it just a few minutes ago. But then again I guess that’s pretty accurate since I’m at least 1/8 Native American and some unknown percentage white…..
@klysha,
I’m at least 1/8 Native American and some unknown percentage white…..
***filed under “things you’ll usually find in an
video ho’surban model’s bio in “black men’s magazine”***WAIT!
I forgot about Soul Train!
@Maximillian,
you have to specify with Don Cornelius…none of that Shemar Moore Madness
@Smiley Face,
Truth.
@Smiley Face,
“I’m Don Cornelius, and as always in parting, we wish you love, peace and soul!”
If you are familiar with any of the following childhood phrases/activities:
-”MeFail, get off the rope! You double-handed *kisses teef*”
-Hide and Go Get It (fass asses)
-Numbers or “123″ (they now have “Chinese” style to make it more worldly, lol)
-Hot peas and butter
-Eating BBQ sunflower seeds
-And the timelessly fight-inducing “Ooooooh, he pushed yo mama off the roof!”
That’s all I can think of for now.
@Me fail english?,
AHAHAHAHA @ double-handed!! *cries*
I was a tomboy and I hung out with the boys during recess playin’ b-ball and whatnot so I NEVER learned double-dutch. I could turn somewhat, but never learned how to jump. ‘Dem ropes a-scared me. It’s wire in them mofos.
I do have fond memories of watching my friends braid/tie their ropes up for storage them during class. I always wondered why they had to be so fancy…lol
Sunflower Seeds, I love ‘em so, but boooy to they bring out the trife in some folks. Spittin’ them all over the floor…EW. I love how there is an art to removing the seed from the shell while still in your mouth (that sounds pause-y as hell, but Imma leave it semi-alone).
@Cheekie,
See, once again, eatin these fancy foods, I’ve gone to buyin the seeds that are not in the shell. But I can definitely remember back to eatin them DAVID sunflower seeds. My teacher in elementary school even made us grow a sunflower cause so many kids in class had that stuff.
@Cheekie,
Those bishes hurt my feelings everytime!
“MeFail you gotta start in the rope cuz you dont be jumpin in right”
Eff YALL! I did too jump in right those heffas just wanted to embarass me in front of the boys! I really couldnt turn tho. To this day I have no idea what I’m doing wrong. Even my neices wont let me play.
@Me fail english?, No Red light Green light One Two Three? And do 2520s play freeze tag?
@IVR,
I forgot Red Light Green Light. I preferred Mother May I but my dumbass friends always needed clarification on what a “leapfrog” was. Or they just made shet up that I aint understand (how the hell Ima bogle to the finish line?).
@Me fail english?,
Red Light Green Light used to make the world stop spinning, it was so fun. Not ONE person would sit out on that game.
I’m of the idea that this game can finally bring us world peace.
@Cheekie, “Red Light Green Light used to make the world stop spinning, it was so fun. Not ONE person would sit out on that game.
I’m of the idea that this game can finally bring us world peace.”
It’s funny because all of the other games we used to play involved someone getting their @ss whooped for not following a rule. . .
We used to play Green Leaf on the cheese bus . . . the dudes who couldn’t manage to find a green leaf got beatdown when someone yelled out green leaf . . .
We played four corners in the elevator (5 or more people of course) odd man out gets a beat down . . .
The “pause” deal (learned about that one in college from some Harlem folks . . . playing kid games and sh!t as college students) . . . if you said something g@y and didn’t say pause you caught a beatdown.
We were some violent @ss utes
@IVR,
LOL. That’s true. We sure can make anything violent….we take games and whatnot seriously.
I just picture Congress warring over the health care reform, then Joe Biden* be like, “Ya’ll wanna play Red Light Green Light?!” and everyone goes outside and runs amok, then when it’s done…the bill is passed. That game brings folks together. It’s a bonding experience.
*I have no idea why I had Biden in particular suggest it…
@Cheekie, IVR
SLightly related, but do yall remember “gimme that neck”. Like if you said smthg stupid the kids would slide two finger across the back of your neck? Only sometimes someone would do that ish a lil too hard or they had nails diggin in your skin and you’d wind up fighting. I swear half these games were just an excuse to “wrestle”
@Me fail english?, “SLightly related, but do yall remember “gimme that neck”. Like if you said smthg stupid the kids would slide two finger across the back of your neck? Only sometimes someone would do that ish a lil too hard or they had nails diggin in your skin and you’d wind up fighting. I swear half these games were just an excuse to “wrestle””
LOL! I remember that foolishness . . . we called it a gill . . . you’d say something stupid . . . you’d get a side eye . . . feel like an @ss (unless you were the gill giver. . .the gill is power) . . . then the whole back of your neck is on fire. Folks did them damn indian burns and punching folks in that certain spot in your arm that something jumps out (we called it a frog).
@IVR,
I remember the frogs! That and that punch buggy bullish had me fighting my own family…in front of my grandma. The eff you mean “dont punch back”?!
@Me fail english?, most of these I remember like a mug cept for us it was hot bread and butter, we ate reg sun flower seeeds with hot sauce and vinegar, yum.
we’d play things like “what time is it old lady witch?” LOL..and then we use to have “cheer” competitons hood style language and all LOL
I memba gimme that neck also LOLand if I didn;t think about it too much I jump a decent double dutch, and could turn somewhat also
Wait! Speaking of regional food preferences….
SALT OR SUGAR/JELLY on GRITS????
- My family is from NC and I vote Salt (cheese, pepper. NOTHING SWEET)
@Daydreamer,
i vote both. (a bit of salt while heating them up, and sugar once they’re already made)
@The Champ, i vote both. (a bit of salt while heating them up, and sugar once they’re already made)
GONG!
@Daydreamer, I dont eat grits but it was always told to me: sugar goes in oatmeal/cream of wheat, and salt goes in grits. My mom would always put buter, salt, and sausage pieces in her grits.
From reading these comments (which have been great) I’ve always wondering. Did black ppl intentionally do many things the same with a few differences at the edges on purpose? I think part of the answer is that most blk ppl came from the South so the customs, etc started there and then morphed to fit whatever geographical region your folks ended up in.
In our house, we did Kool Aid for real. My mama HATED (with the heat of a thousands suns) grape Kool aid. I still don’t know why but if I even mention grape she will get started.
Not sure how much this applies, but this one threat could make anyone act right.
I’MA TELL YA DADDY!
That was all it took. We could be actin bad as we wanted. Those four words deaded any problems. We’d start beggin and pleadin. NO, Mama don’t tell. We’ll be good!
Oh and grits do not need sugar. NOT NOW NOT NEVER. Sugar in grits? Is u crazy?
@Stank-0,
sugar in grits is nasty. its all about butter and cheese. all u need in life.
@Stank-0,
I think part of the answer is that most blk ppl came from the South so the customs, etc started there and then morphed to fit whatever geographical region your folks ended up in.
good point.
10 Things All Black People Should (At Least) Be Aware Of…
1) Roots
I’ve never seen Roots in its entirety. Do I lose points for this?
2) Kool-Aid
My homegirl said I wasn’t official because my family had the premixed Kool-Aid in the canister.
3) Spades
I didn’t learn to play spades until I was 22. I don’t remember how to play. What about tunk? I can play the hell out of tunk.
4) The Autobiography of Malcolm X
I’ve read it and done a report on it. I think I deserve bonus points for my dad having his speeches on vinyl. He would bump them in the crib on a regular basis.
5) Coming To America/The Color Purple
I have seen Coming To America too many times. The Color Purple I have never seen in its entirety. The Color Purple seems like a chic movie to me. I only hear chics talk about it.
6) Michael Jackson (RIP)
Grew up on his music and new his Billie Jean rountine by memory.
7) What’s Going On/Stevie Wonder’s hits/Motown
Grew up on all of this also.
Do I lose any credit because I got Soul Food on one side of my family. My dad is from Africa and my mother’s side of the family is from the South.
9) Nation of Islam
I know about the Fruit of Islam. A lot people don’t know that they were the security for Michael jackson at one time. I am quite familiar with the NOI. We kept Final Calls in the crib. And bean pie is the ish. I want to know where do they get the fruit that they sell. It’s always fresh and tastes better than what I get in the grocery store.
10) The Black Panthers
They also played a big role in my life. My mother was in college at California(Berkley) at the same time the Panthers were starting. She was involved in another organiztion that worked with the Panthers. She has crazy stories about hanging out with them, the parties, and other stuff they did.
@Humble_One aka $5 Footlong,
“1) Roots
I’ve never seen Roots in its entirety. Do I lose points for this?”
I don’t think I did either. I mean, I remember our class setting aside a week or so watching all the volumes in 3rd grade, but I always thought that series was longer than Ne-Yo’s bottom lip. I always have the feeling I missed something.
I am, however, glad I didn’t miss that Mr. Brady was a slaveowner. One of the biggest WTFs of all time. lmfao
@Cheekie,
Now that yall mention it I didn’t think I made it past Chicken George. They tried to make me watch that and Chaka Zulu when I was like 5 years old. Negroes plz. Id rather be playing Barbies.
On a side note: this past wknd I introduced my little neices to Scarface ( at least, the last half hour). That’s also required watching for black folks. They loved it too!
@Humble_One aka $5 Footlong,
“My homegirl said I wasn’t official because my family had the premixed Kool-Aid in the canister.”
That pre-mixed mess never tasted right…you always had to add more sugar…lmao
It’s all about that 7 packs for $1.
@miss t-lee,
Word.
Why is “THE WIZ” not on here???????????????
@The Jenius,
I really know people who ever saw “the Wizard of Oz”, only “the Wiz”
@afterthought,
I once went to see a HS production of “Wizard of Oz”. These little black kids on line were all excited and started singing “Ease on Down the Road” shuffling and all. I aint have the heart to tell them what they were in for. HAHAHA!
@The Jenius,
because p listed 10 things, not 210.
welcome and sh*t, btw
Oh, since we have Jolly Ranchers here at my desk candy bowl…here is another thing Black folk should know about.
Jolly Ranchers = wine candy
@Cheekie,
what about the 5 cent caramels? They should know about that too . . . I dont know if you guys had sour power . . . they used to sell it in the corner stores in the fancy plastic box with the tweezer lookin things . . . hood candy! I havent seen sour power in YEARS. I’ve seen the caramels but it’s NOT the same.
A decent knowledge of the music and life of Bob Marley is essential to Blackness. I recently found out that my prospect has never heard Exodus or any Marley albums in their entirety. This fact is even more unforgiveable because she herself is an Island girl, not from Jamaica, but an Island girl nonetheless.
Sidenote:I watched Panther last night. It was not as good as I remembered it. I had been looking for the movie on DVD for years, and now that I have seen it again, I am mehed out on it.
@Legendary Dash,
lol, i dont know if im more surprised that you actually purchased “panther”, or that there was a point in your life when you thought it was a good movie
@The Champ,
I saw it when it came out and my pre-tweenage mind thought it was great. Seeing it for the second time years later made me cringe. The ending of it was True Blood second season finale-esque.
@Legendary Dash, LOL what changed was you…. I like when that happens but on the flip , like its when something you either saw or read or visited at some point earlier in your life bit it didn’t quite click for you…… you live a lil more, learn a lil more, experience a lil more, revisit the same said whateva x amount of years later and you totally get it now…I LOVE when that happens LOL
going through everyones list I have to add a few myself. Extra credit for being aware of the following:
1) Fish, Chicken, and Pork grease is not to be thrown out, but reused.
2) “U better be home when the street lights come on, dont make me come looking for you…” was the way you were raised and u knew not to question it.
3) The glass jars around your grandparents house can be used for drinking, soil , grease, or damn near anything
4a) Black Family Reunions(Seaberry’s Stand Up!!!)
4b) You will be wearing the same shirt as everyone else(Seaberry Family Reunion 1989 Santee, South Carolina)
4c) Unless you are handicapped, sick, or terminally ill, you will be competing in your annual family competitions.
@Freaknik,
Good look on the recycling grease thang. 2520s SWEAR they made the “going green” trend. Chile, we been doin’ that since back in the day, before it was made cool by celebs. We’ve ALWAYS recycled. Mother Earth be dappin’ us and everything. We been cool with Earth.
@Cheekie,
Yup! In college, white folks were grossed out by me reusing the oil. Chile, please, that oil aint dark brown yet! Back in the the coffee can you go!
Just dont mix the chkn with the fish grease. Chickenfish is NOT on the menu.
@Me fail english?,
Yeah, all kinds of folks need that addendum. You will get KILLED (not softly) if you mix up fish grease with chicken grease.
@Freaknik,
2) “U better be home when the street lights come on, dont make me come looking for you…” was the way you were raised and u knew not to question it.
i bet theres a strong correlation between “being an adult criminal” and “not having to check in when the street lights came on”
@The Champ, i bet theres a strong correlation between “being an adult criminal” and “not having to check in when the street lights came on”
LOLLL. this is so true.
@The Champ, LMAO….yeah that was the rule and yes the recycled grease chirrens, right on the stove in an old crisco can or a grease tin
the glass jars that my Granmas made preserves in, stored food etc and drank out of……
The street light rule was in effect, in the summer we could sit on the porch all night tho practically with the Box, listenig to music etc
I can’t no one has mentioned the following
sugar water
cinnamon toast made in the toaster
the useless combs they give you on picture day
dax, tcb, ultrasheen
@Humble_One aka $5 Footlong,
“the useless combs they give you on picture day”
LMAO!!!!!!
My hair was in 50-11 ponytail with click clack and barettes and what did they think I was gonna do with that comb?
@miss t-lee,
My hair would be out, but like most little black girls I wasn’t allowed to comb my own hair *sigh*. I did poof up my little nappy bang though.
Sorry…I try, but all that was waaay before my time
@Peachy Keen,
even kool-aid? are you from the future or some sh*t?
@The Champ,
::Ominous singing:: In the year 2000….
@Dorian G.,
Okay, I LOVE you because I thought this exact same thing.
I LOVE BLACK PEOPLE!!!!!
“black” requirements that haven’t been listed yet
all black people should have seen or be extremely familiar with a stand-up routine by either richard pryor, eddie murphy, or chris rock
all black people should have at least a passing knowledge of civil rights era topics that usually arent taught in grade school. this includes, but isn’t limited to, the little rock 9, texas western, the four little girls, and emmitt till
also, although i scored a perfect 100 on the vsb black exam, there are a few black things i still haven’t done. this list includes:
wear a wave cap
play craps
eat black eyed peas
drink a 40
purchase or rock a pair of dickies
hold a gun
watch more than three full episodes of good times.
be called a nigger to my face
sleep with gabrielle union
@The Champ,
“eat black eyed peas”
Really?
Wow.
@The Champ,
play craps
Are you serious? Not even celo?
eat black eyed peas
You can’t be serious?
purchase or rock a pair of dickies
You never had a blue collar job huh?
hold a gun
I’ve done it, own one, and have bust some. you’re not missing anything.
watch more than three full episodes of good times.
You don’t get TVOne do you?
be called a nigger to my face
I had this happen to me in the 7th grade. You’re not missing anything
sleep with gabrielle union
I hope I beat you to this. I am still trying to figure out how to put Gabrielle’s face on Lastarya’s body.
@The Champ, lord, i was in mourning for weeks over emmit till when i was a kid, i really acted like it just happened.
@The Champ,
By your standards my VERY BLACK mom isnt black @ all
@The Champ,
wear a wave cap
I tried this once, then my father laughed at me like you would a stranger falling on their face in the middle of the sidewalk. Come to think of it my father just outright laughing in my face saved me from a lot of foolishness including pants saggin’.
play craps
tried it. lost. quite gambling.
eat black eyed peas
Wow. honestly I don’t even know anybody ever really want’s to eat black eyed peas, we just ate them because they were there.
drink a 40
I don’t drink, but when I was a kid some ninja’s uncle decided it would be cool to give us alcohol, it could’ve been malt liquor…
purchase or rock a pair of dickies
Does it count if I actually wore them to work in?
hold a gun
I’ve done this before and if this is black my wife is black as hell, because when she was younger they used to take here girl scout troop to the gun range.
watch more than three full episodes of good times.
You need to ahead and netflix that.
be called a nigger to my face
Only by other niggas…
sleep with gabrielle union
I guess this makes Morris chestnut black as hell but I guess we already knew that…
not sure if this is a black requirement, but i’m going to throw it out for the universe…
*ring ring ring
person A: hello, lemme call you back. i don’t have any minutes…
person B: Ah, ah, ah… hello? hello?
@TheChamp….Sorry, there is not a both category. You eat sweet grits…. ewwww
@Reecie, You’re mom is right and you are missing out!
ALL BLACK FOLK NEED TO KNOW WHO ARAMINTA ROSS IS. THE BOSS!
@overit,
Yeah she was an OG. Had an alias AND a rifle. You don’t want freedom? You wanna leave in shackles? Shackles deez. *BANG BANG*
*should say ‘live’, not ‘leave’. wtf…
hey hey hey Donald Goines (DG) novels are a very, very, very important part of the black literature cannon! add iceberg slim to that as well. as a matter of fact one of my former professors wrote her phd on the significance of DG, and had a class specifically devoted to that part of the cannon. Now, if you were saying that you cannot make this the only literature that you consume then im ok with that, but don’t completely write my man off.
@tnt, “hey hey hey Donald Goines (DG) novels are a very, very, very important part of the black literature cannon!”
It’s about as important as chitlins’ are to the black diet, it tells you something about who you were but it don’t mean you should keep eating that shit…
1) Roots
Soul Food (actual food, not bad TV series or serviceable movie)
Aware of it. Unfortunately I have never seen it. I have seen Queen though
2) Kool-Aid
Don’t think I had it as a kid… don’t remember my parents having any feeling about it one way or another
3) Spades
Learned this @ a cut (hooky) party when I was 15… I have no idea what tunk or bid whist is. I am pretty sure you made those up
4) The Autobiography of Malcolm X
Read it saw it.
5) Coming To America/The Color Purple
I love the Color Purple, but I have never seen Coming to America not a fan of Eddie Murphy
6) Michael Jackson (RIP)
If you are not AWARE of him you live under a rock
7) What’s Going On/Stevie Wonder’s hits/Motown
I am aware.
I am aware of it but I don’t think I have ever eaten it.
9) Nation of Islam
I know who they are, but whats FOI?
10) The Black Panthers
I am aware of them. Do they still exist?
I agree with the list because you put “at least aware of” in parentheses because I don’t play no card games, not even UNO- I don’t even like going to a Casino and play Black Jack or Poker- none of that. Bid whist, tonk and spades are great for black social gatherings, I’m sure but I’ve never been interested in them. I do know quite a few black people who play Chess though (if that counts for anything).
Everything else I’m on point with, especially the two films that gave black people entertainment for years to come. However, I would like to add some films to the list that maybe you did not think about or just didn’t feel the need to add.
1.) Boomerang- “Bang,bang, bang, bang, bang = Classic
2.) Waiting to Exhale- almost rivals The Color Purple for being the contemporary black woman’s go to “sista-girl” movie and also based on a bestselling book by a black female author(well, you know who).
3.)What’s Love Got to Do with It- I’m ashamed to say that I laughed @ the majority of this film- because the fight scenes were HILARIOUS! I’ve tried to watch it straight through and not LMAO @ Fishburne’s Ike Turner being completely INSANE! I feel bad but I LOL! anyway- Angela Basset did WORK in that movie cuz Tina was getting that azz WHOOPED! I know, I’m horrible. (giggle)
4.) Any blaxploitation film but I would say Supafly(If not for the Curtis Mayfield soundtrack alone), The Mack and Foxy Brown being the trifecta of the that genre. Did not include Shaft cuz his character was a PI and working for “THE MAN” aka-snitch. Runner up goes to Black Ceasar( I think James Brown did the soundtrack for this film).
5.) The Early Hip Hop films: a.) Style Wars b.) Wild Style c.) Breaking (just the first one) d.) Crush Grove
e.) Hype William’s “Belly” f.) “New Jack City”
6.) Late 80′s, Early 90′s Black Films (when Black (Male)Directors broke into mainstream Hollywood
Mo’ Better Blues- Spike Lee (I know, why not Do the Right Thing, IDK- never really cared for it, a bit overrated IMHO)
Jason’s Lyric- predecessor to all Tyler Perry films besides his blatant thievery from the Color Purple.
Gangsta (no, not Gangster) Films
Boyz N’ The Hood- if not for anything but Ice Cube giving the best performance of his acting career (because he was basically playing hiimself-LOL!) and when Cuba Gooding, Jr. was still a good actor(I’m not kidding).
Runners Up- Hughes Brother’s Flicks, Menace II Society and Dead Presidents
Plus, you have to include Pacino’s Scarface and Martin Scorsese’s Goodfellas/Casino just for the fact everybody in the Hip Hop industry swears by them and helped them spin a fantasy lifestyle in their music for all black youth to be destroyed/corrupted by
(yeah, I said it).
The BUPPY Films
The Best Man, Love Jones (Nia and Larenz) and Brown Sugar and any film with Gabrielle Union and Morris Chestnut in the lead roles.
Runner up goes to Love and Basketball.
I would add earlier films with all black cast like Cabin In The Sky (Lena Horne and Louie Armstrong), and “Hallelujah” but I know that’s reaching.
I’m not saying every black person should have seen all 20 something of these films but AT. LEAST. BE. AWARE. THEY. EXIST. so you’re Black Card does not get revoked and just ask that all black folks try to watch these films before they die.
I know, I’m a film-geek. – Seeing_Red
You mentioned Kool Aid and Soul Food, but you didn´t mention Diabetes and Heart Disease…. Black people are too aware of the former two, which is what helps contribute to the latter. Hmph.
I thought that this was a legitimate and intelligent site, I suppose I was wrong. Whoever writes this need to grow up, get out of your ignorant stereotypical mold, and stop embarrassing the entire ethnic group. You’re only confirming what racists bigots and ignorant morons already think of us.
As a black person I am offended at the idea that we are all culturally alike and therefor we should all (generally) know and like the same things. If we want people to stop stereotyping black people we need to move away from ideas that “all black people need this, or do this, or like this or know this.” I am a black person who is genuinely not interested in the medias portrayal of ‘black culture.’ People like Malcolm X and musicians like the Roots are important for ALL people to know because of their contribution to overall American culture, not just black culture.
I am an African American woman and I don’t like Kool-Ade and I have never even heard of the game spades, and even though I appreciate Michael Jackson, I certainly don’t know the lyrics to Off The Wall. Does that make me less black? Does loving Wong Kar Wai, Spike Jonze, foreign films, experimental films, Art Deco, black and white Photography, tea, painting, interior design, nature, the circus, burlesque and Harry Potter make me less black?? No, because when I fill out my census form I check the box marked African American. I am proud of my individuality and I don’t need some half-assed blogger telling me what black people NEED to know.