“there’s a war going on outside no man is safe from/it don’t matter if you’re three feet or eight one”
i remember being aware of it as early as 3rd grade, when rudy huxable doppleganger brandy anderson instantly went from “cute” to “african booty scratcher” because a few of our classmates saw a pack of food stamps fall out of her trapper keeper in music class.
i saw it again in college, when the “authentic” blacks from the hood would clown those whose subtle speech inflections, abercrombie, and mundane first names proved that they weren’t “black enough”.
it was even felt last weekend, when me and roughly two hundred others gathered at ava bar and lounge for august’s “first friday’s”, a monthly excuse for the young black professionals in the pittsburgh area to dress like dhani and down patron while reveling in the fact that they gross $10,000 per year more than the unfortunates being displaced by the gentrification presently occurring in that exact same neighborhood
to our credit, its not our fault.
from the days of field vs house slaves to the outgoing conflict between northern and southern blacks, we have a rich history of finding creative ways to separate ourselves from each other. when you add our hair and complexion issues, you can even argue that no other culture has as many different ways to create hierachy as we do
basically, it all comes down to class, and, from what you studied in school to which neighborhood grocery store you shop at, each discriminating factor contributes to our overall classification.
still, regardless of how we got here, the fact remains that we’re ALL soldiers in the clash of the classes, a perpetual intraracial battle were no one really wins, just certain sides lose slower than others.
people of vsb.com: since we’re each on the battlefield during this everlasting class war, i’m curious…which side are you on?
—the champ
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{ 486 comments… read them below or add one }
Just as Harriet Tubman got her gun and went Underground cuz she was ’bout that freedom, I gets my pumps, cuz I’m ’bout that HIV/AIDS activism. The Red Pump Project Rules errthang ’round me. ‘Nah mean?
@Thuggie Luvvie,
iCant with you tonight Luvvster. Foolish, IGnant, militant and admirable, all in the same comment.
**sensory overload**
@blackberry molasses,
*raises fist*
@Thuggie Luvvie,
are you gonna pull a tubman and threaten to shank or shoot the folks who dont fall in line?
I’m riding with the upper class. I tried to keep hope alive for the hood, but shit’s just too dysfunctional. I saw G.I. Joe a couple days ago (better than I thought, based on the previews), and walking the girl back to her car, saw a gang of dudes literally snatch the Jordans off this white kid, start a brawl, and then one of the chicks and a middle aged white lady got into a fight. Imagine 14 black teenagers in tight ass jeans beating the shite out of each other in the middle of 7th Street and then attacking a lady old as their moms. And then I’m supposed to act offended when I get racially profiled? Not our fault? Word? Someone forced them kids to literally rob the shoes off a kid’s feet? Someone forced their parents to let shite like this slide? I’m fighting for the survival and thrival (not a word but it rhymes, which lower class blacks like) of the black folks that are willing and able to do something to progress the race. I’ve worked with these kids before, and mentored a couple. Some just need a little push in the right direction, but at a certain point, some of them are just too far gone.
@Brandon St. Randy,
dam where tha fuq u from
@BLUNTBLAZER, Norfeast, young
@Brandon St. Randy,
? ninja wha state/city mf act like this a gang documentary lol
@Brandon St. Randy,
Norfeast? You must be from DC, lol
@Smiley Face, Yuuup. And this incident didn’t happen East of the Anacostia. This happened right down the street from Gallery Place, in front of the National Portrait Gallery and all those $800,000 condos.
@Brandon St. Randy, Near Lucky Strike? I haven’t been to Chinatown in a minute!
@Brandon St. Randy
i shoulda known when you said “tight pants” and “norfeast.” all the teeny bopper pseudo-hypster kids hang out right there..and are usually loud, and obnoxious
@Brandon St. Randy,
When you said 7th I knew it was at the Regal @ Gallery Place. There’s a gang of young’ins always posted up across the street on the steps. My 2520 friends always cross to avoid them. I didn’t pay them no mind until it was pointed out to me.
I doubt they would want to snatch my dress clothes offa me. If you take my stuff, you betta beat me senseless cause I’m comin for ya. I paid too much money for this stuff.
@Stank-0,
“I doubt they would want to snatch my dress clothes offa me. If you take my stuff, you betta beat me senseless cause I’m comin for ya. I paid too much money for this stuff.”
….mean @ass, lol
@Brandon St. Randy, “And then I’m supposed to act offended when I get racially profiled?”
No offense but I hope while they are profiling they pull you over and not me since you’re the one that don’t mind. Classifying a whole race or ethnic group of people based on the actions of a relative few is still as racist as it has ever been. I hope you don’t think white people and people of other races don’t have brawls, the only difference theirs aren’t in the middle of the Nations capital; which makes it more of an issue of embarrassment rather than the actual behavior itself. White people in the same economic circumstances exhibit virtually the same behavior; I used to drive through parts of southern Baltimore that looked just like a white version of Anacostia.
“Someone forced their parents to let shite like this slide?”
Lost kids often end up being lost parents and the cycle continues…
@Omar,
“I used to drive through parts of southern Baltimore that looked just like a white version of Anacostia.”
Chuuch!
@Omar, I don’t disagree with you that lower class white people exhibit the same behavior. Go to South Boston or Budds Creek raceway in La Plata. But the reality is, everyone makes assumptions based on appearance. It can’t be helped. And the more negative experiences both white people and black people have with the Muggles, the fewer opportunities the rest of us will be granted. Call it racism if you like, but if someone gets attacked by a rogue pit bull a couple times, the other 100 well-behaved Pits aren’t going to get the benefit of the doubt.
@Brandon St. Randy,
Call it racism if you like, but if someone gets attacked by a rogue pit bull a couple times, the other 100 well-behaved Pits aren’t going to get the benefit of the doubt.
good point and sh*t
@The Champ,
Pit bulls are inherently more dangerous animals by their physical make-up. If a poodle went rabid and attacked a baby, people wouldn’t develop a stigma about poodles. This is basically how white and black people are viewed in America, we are inherently dangerous and they just have freak “accidents”.
@The Champ,
That ain’t a good point, that’s utter bullmanure.
If chicks get scorned by a few dirty ninjas, do they have carte blanche to say all ninjas ain’t nothing?
Hell naw.
Notice that white people have never signed on to the notion that if some white folks are racist, its ok to call all white folks, or treat them all as if they are racist. Nope, white folks demand to be treated like individuals by EVERYONE. Only negroes fall into the trap of accepting profiling and other crap because it “makes sense.”
Not this ninja. Treat me exactly like you want to be treated Mr. 2520 Officer. If you don’t want me to assume you beat confessions out of suspects and regularly steal money from drug dealers, then don’t assume I robbed the liquor store cause I’m rocking a hoodie and my car is a Dodge Magnum.
Move along.
@Big Man,
BETTER point.
@The Champ & Omar…
‘Pit bulls are inherently more dangerous animals by their physical make-up. If a poodle went rabid and attacked a baby, people wouldn’t develop a stigma about poodles. This is basically how white and black people are viewed in America, we are inherently dangerous and they just have freak “accidents”.’
Certifying it as fact won’t make it right… so not feelin’ Farnsworth Bentley’s outlook on this…
@Brandon St. Randy,
Those appearances are often based on what people choose acknowledge. Honestly white people historically and notoriously never acknowledge their own $h*t; whether it is exterminating Native Americans, lynching black folks, or bombing buildings in Oklahoma city, that will always pale in comparison to a black person robbing a liquor store or something. I’m not saying we don’t have plenty problems but ours aren’t regarded in the same sense as say white people in places like Appalachia.
Profiling isn’t new it actually never stopped so I have no reason to believe that their reason for it has changed; it has a lot more to do with their preconceived notions of black people than our behavior which is exhibited by the fact that they often go after the wrong people. They even seem to shoot more unarmed people than the ones who have guns; it like the WMD argument you are more likely to go at people recklessly when they pose less of a threat than more.
@Brandon St. Randy,
“Call it racism if you like, but if someone gets attacked by a rogue pit bull a couple times, the other 100 well-behaved Pits aren’t going to get the benefit of the doubt.”
Great point!
@Brandon St. Randy, So black people are the Pitbull of the human race now?
They are naturally a dangerous breed. I’d like to think we are not.
@Dangerous,
pitbulls are sweeties. they are naturally sweet dogs.
the mean ones have been trained to be that way.
@BBMo,
Yes. They are great dogs.
@Omar,
White people in the same economic circumstances exhibit virtually the same behavior;
this is true. whenever you combine poor people, dense populations, and weapons, there’s gonna be crime.
i mean, until the early 20th century, in most big american cities white immigrants were killing each other in the streets on some gangs of new york type sh*t
@Brandon St. Randy,
snatching jordans is soooo 1988. those cats are obviously caught in a snatching time warp
@The Champ,
Cole, u stoopit.
@Brandon St. Randy,
I totally agree with you. Like come on why are we still coming up with excuses upon excuses for the disarray of black American youth? Oh they are poor. They have no opportunities. Whatever. My family migrated from the Caribbean with no foundation at all in the U.S., very limited money, and didn’t even haven full citizenship in the 70′s. Now every family own a house in a middle to upper middle class neighborhood. Some own their own businesses. All of my generation of cousins have graduated from college, more than half from Ivy Leagues and on their way to law or med school. With the exception of 2/3 black sheeps, none of my cousins have been to jail or got pregnant before marriage. And Guess what? We all started as black poor folk with the same opportunities even less for us since we started out as foreigners.
@Blue Skyez,
But your family’s experience is not the norm. Though lots of immigrants come to this country and are successful, many more end up in poor neighborhoods with high crime rates and piss poor schools.
At the end of the day, we are all responsible for our own lives. But I think we do the larger society a disservice by not acknowledging the disparities in access that face so many low-income and black and brown people.
@Blue Skyez,
No offense Blue Skyez, but your information is faulty.
Who told you that black immigrants start off at the bottom? Hell, there has a long been a preference for Negroes with a foreign accent over homegrown Tyrone.
But, if it was just about hardwork, all those Caribbean countries where mofos are immigrating from wouldn’t be so dependent on tourism for their livelihoods. There hardworking citizens would just create thriving societies and pull themselves up from their bootstraps in their own home countries.
That ain’t happening.
@Big Man,
Amen.
@Big Man,
It’s not just about hardwork. Most black people who emigrate from other countries just don’t have a “victim-like” mentality. They realize that America is the land of most opportunities despite the fact that it is still not perfect. Many people are doing just fine in the islands, it’s not fair to say we should have just pulled ourselves from our bootstraps in our own countries as this country is a land of immigrants and was built on the backs of immigrants. My family and other people from the islands believe that people have to take responsibilities for their own well-being/lives other than blaming “The System” for everything or just relying solely on faith. Yes, we believe in hard work, perseverance against the odds, and also taking the circumstances of your life into your own hands are part of what separates the classes from each other. People who remain in the same stagnant circumstances feel more comfortable blaming the system and relying on only on faith rather than accepting the responsibility for their own shortcomings in life.
@Blue Skyez,
“People who remain in the same stagnant circumstances feel more comfortable blaming the system and relying on only on faith rather than accepting the responsibility for their own shortcomings in life.”
Not to beat a dead horse but this is a very general statement and an unfair one. A large number of people who are poor actually have jobs. They just don’t have jobs that pay a sustainable wage. They desire more training and more education but don’t live in communities where they can even learn about their options. Yes, one might argue that they can be more aggressive and seek out those options. But, when you are worried about basic necessities like food, how are you to learn about education and training? You probably don’t have a computer, so you can’t go online. Going to a college to pick up a brochure would probably require you to miss time from your job that pays you by the hour.
Research has shown that a one stop center in a poor community can work wonders: folks can go to a place, near there home, talk to a case manager and learn about housing, education, job opportunities and more. You’d think there’d be more of these since they help people become self-sufficient. But nope. The government hasn’t seen fit to fully fund beyond pilots in a few cities (or to come off the cash they promised for others).
I too believe in personal responsibility but I also think the barriers that prevent people from being their best selves need to be removed.
@Blue Skyez,
I’m going to say this, and let the whole topic go.
My point was that the problems that immigrants so readily point out in the black community here in America can be found in the countries most black immigrants come from. Period. Do black people in America have issues, yes many do. Do black immigrants have issues here in America and back in their native lands, yes many do.
Sexywinegirl
I know tourism is hard work. My point was that when the entire economy of your region is built on tourism you live in a pretty shaky area. This is from someone who grew up in city whose economy is built on tourism.
Granted, maybe I didn’t explain myself clearly. My main point is that many Caribbean immigrants left their native countries because of the lack of opportunity available in those countries, which are typically being run by black people. For them to then come to this country and point fingers at all the failures of the black people here doesn’t sit with me well.
“Hello kettle? Yeah this is pot mofo. You know you black right? Cool.”
@BigMan,
“This is from someone who grew up in city whose economy is built on tourism.”
New Orleans, right?
@Big Man,
FYI
Tourism is hard work
@Big Man,
Bring it! Well uhmm I’m a lil behind so… You brought it!
D@mn first post got erased.
@Blue Skyez,
“I totally agree with you. Like come on why are we still coming up with excuses upon excuses for the disarray of black American youth? Oh they are poor. They have no opportunities. Whatever. My family migrated from the Caribbean with no foundation at all in the U.S., very limited money, and didn’t even haven full citizenship in the 70’s. Now every family own a house in a middle to upper middle class neighborhood. Some own their own businesses.”
I am gonna have to disagree with you on this one. I think for every black/latino migrant family or african american family that makes it there has to be 9 that do not. Every non- 2520 person is not required to be extremely ambitious to make a decent living for themselves. I imagine those f*cktards screaming their heads off about public option healthcare at these town hall meetings must be doing OK if they don’t need help, and those aren’t the brightest folks in the world.
The grandmother always told me that as a black man I have to work twice as hard to be considered even. It sux but it IS our reality as children of the inner city. The folks with an average level of ambition wake up and go to a school in the neighborhood that is probably subpar whereas the ambitious ones wake up 2 hours earlier than our 2520 classmates to get bussed to the 2520 school just in order to get a shot at going to college (this is what they told my mom anyway) and I am supposed to consider myself lucky.
Those kids running around robbing people should be punished . . . I agree . . but that “no excuses” outlook is a horrible way to look at it from suburbia. This issue is bigger than these stickup kids . . .if not I imagine it would be a series of isolated events as opposed to the norm . . . I’m just sayin.
@IVR,
choir singin’ and sh*t.
Bond.
@IVR,
I agree that is “a bigger issue than some stick-up kids” The thing is that high crime rates, high STD rate, high (insert something bad) rates are all associated to the black community for reasons that are trans-generational and involve a change in mentality for the entire race. Individuals can spur the change, but nothing will be realized until the majority actually does something to bring it about.
@Blue Skyez, I am with you.
@Brandon St. Randy, And then I’m supposed to act offended when I get racially profiled? Not our fault? Word
you arent supposed to act you should be offended. White kids get in brawls all the f!cking time, did they racially profile white kids in trench coats after Columbine? Exactly, so I am owed the same consideration. To justify being treated unequally because we have folks in our culture that act a fool, like it only happens with us, is ridiculous
@shay_d_lady, How many white people killed someone in the District of Columbia Metropolitan Statistical area last year? I’ll wait. I’m not justifying. But I am illustrating the effects of this kind of insidious behavior pattern on me. When I see white kids whipping each other’s asses on DC streets, yelling and screaming in the metro, or attempting to carjack and then killing a former boxer, we’ll talk. In the meanwhile, to act like inner city black culture hasn’t fallen prey to an extremely destructive form of degeneration is to ignore reality, which is that many of the people in this generation are doing worse, both economically and morally than their parents.
@Brandon St. Randy, can you tell me that there were none?
if you believe that only our people are capable and commit violent crimes you need to reevaluate yourself and do some actual research since it seems that you seem to th ink that the only crimes that happen are the crimes that you have witnessed.
@shay_d_lady, I don’t have the numbers. But the guy who shot one of my employees from the Summer Youth Employment Program in the face on his mom’s porch and killed him was black. So were the guys who killed my friend from high school. So was another one of my friends from high school that killed each other. You can choose to argue semantics all you like. The reality of the situation is that between Young Jeezy, T.I., the Stop Snitching boys, that monkey ass gangsta video out of Baton Rouge, and any number of other similar pop culture issues, we’ve created a subculture unique in America in which crime is glorified. That creates situations where people I know get walked up on and shot in the face. You can dig up all the statistics you please, scuse the f#ck out of me if I take the problem a little personal.
@Brandon St. Randy, dang I just saw those kids hanging out on 7th St last week when I went to the movies at Gallery Place. Note to self stay on the other side of the street in the future.
my d@mn self <good question and sh!t champ. i'm for the children like wu tang (c) odb (RIP)
@SouthernGirl, LMAO! I concur.
Oh, this is one to tackle in the AM after I’ve had my late night ‘ice cream eating’ session and some sleep.
Holla in the morning!
@blackberry molasses,
i still got some choc bday cake wha it do
@BLUNTBLAZER,
no thanks. it wasn’t a real ice cream cone, if you get my meaning.
@blackberry molasses,
I’ve had my late night ‘ice cream eating’ session and some sleep.
for your husbands sake i hope you’re not lactose intolerant
@The Champ,
dammit, it wasn’t real ice cream.
Get your minds IN the gutter people!
Sheesh!!!
@BlackBerry Molasses,
My mind is covered in gutter gunk.
I knew what you were talking bout from jump and snickered.
@BlackBerry Molasses,
“Get your minds IN the gutter people!
Sheesh!!!”
*gasp*
Rare form, Mama SADDOWN In The Corner, rare form…;)
@Cheekie,
*throws up deuces and pimp walks to the corner a la Goodie Gumdrops**
ok, really?!?!? what in the dante’s inferno h3ll? is my comment in limbo? did it not submit? ain’t no reason for me to be up anywho and now this? i’m going to bed. *sigh*
@SouthernGirl,
submit deez
@The Champ,
“submit deez”
LMAO….that was mean.
@Blue Skyez,
I know! Was that even CALLED for? And I thought Champ was for the people just yesterday. lol
@The Champ,
ninja please. i know things not going in like they’re supposed to is a common complaint for you but don’t take your anger out on me. mmmkay?
For me, it’s all for improving upon the generation before me in my family, so my kids can go further. I’ve surpassed expectations already so I guess now I’m just chillin? I did wonder this today though, as I ponder applying to business school :-\
@Liz, “it’s all for improving upon the generation before me in my family, so my kids can go further”
I agree Liz! Unless you’re Warren Buffet’s or Bill Gates’ kids, you have no excuse for not going further. To me, that’s the minimum. I was the first in my immediate family to finish college, but my family wasn’t happy until I finished grad school and got a good job.
@Leila,
I think it is soooo important to encourage kids to do better than the previous generation.
My family, however, put an emphasis on personal happiness and self-sufficiency. My parents and most of my aunts and uncles, on both sides of the fam, really emphasized a minimum of two years of college (cuz, let’s face it: it’s not for everyone) or the military for men.
Two of my cuz’s opted for the military. One’s out now, working for the military in a civilian position and making very decent paper. The other is making it a career. My older brother opted out of college after 2 years and is doing well (though he has told my nephews a college degree is their only option, lol).
I hope I can do the same thing with any kids I have: do what feels right for you, know that each decision you make will have its benefits (start making money sooner if you only do 2 years of college and join the workforce) and limitations (only do 2 years of college and you limit your earning potential). I want them, tho, to do something that makes them happy in life, i.e. don’t pick a career because it’s a high paying one. Wouldn’t want any quarter life meltdowns for ‘em.
@V.E.G.,
as a person going thru a quarter life meltdown at this very moment, i applaud that.
@charli skipper,
I applaud it too! I am going through a quarter life meltdown myself. Happiness is so important…
@V.E.G.,
do something that makes them happy in life, i.e. don’t pick a career because it’s a high paying one.
Tons of Indians and other Asians wish they could roll like this as their parents order them to be doctors and engineers. An 11 year old won this year’s spelling bee tawnbout she wanna be a neurosurgeon…that was clearly not her own idea.
@Stuff Ghetto People Like,
Ya know, I understand where parents are coming from when they encourage their kids to aim high. And, to some degree, I think that is what parents are supposed to do.
But I’ve also seen too many people who are basically the walking dead: they hate their lives, they hate their jobs, they have no passions because they followed a path set for them/they didn’t dream of on their own. One of my best friends can’t get out of the bed some mornings she hates her job so much. She is overwhelmed by the realization that she is trapped in a career she hates and has a huge student loan debt to pay off for a graduate education she wished she never received. Don’t get me wrong: she values education. Just thinks the particular degree she got, and the career choices she made, have put her in a place where there is a good salary but not much beyond that.
@Stuff Ghetto People Like,
My gf’s friend from college (India Indian) is goin through this right now. She’s miserable b/c she chose being a doctor b/c her parents said they wouldn’t pay for anything else. She’s in her first year of residency. From the reports I hear, the 1st year is already bad enough but…doing it when you don’t want to? And she’s too far gone to quit now…or is she?
I wish my parents would have said that. I still would have done what I wanted to do. Sometimes having broke parents helps because they tell you actual factual like “do what makes you happy” and “you can’t live your life trying to please anyone but yourself.”
I just hope my children push the envelope some more. I did some interesting things I hope they do more….or become professional athletes so I can be like the Williams’ sisters daddy saying crazy sh!t because I know I’m set for life. HOLLA!
@Stuff Ghetto People Like,
It ain’t just the Indians and Asians. African parents do this to their kids A LOT. A job is only a real job if its in medicine, engineering, law or business (and sometimes business gets a o_O).
I understand why they feel this way. For many of them, these are the careers that ALLOWED them to emigrate to America and become successful. Shoot, my father is an engineer and my mother is a professor. Classic cases, both of them.
Many in my generation are just now starting to say eff it, much to the chagrin of their parents.
@V.E.G.,
i think it depends on which high paying career path you take. certain careers allow for more movement in untraditional directions…so that even if you may hate the field of study, knowing just a little bit of that information will open up doors higher up in other areas that you may have more of a preference for.
or at least that is my theory until i officially graduate in may. *crosses fingers in hopes of a job*
the job you choose can make you happy or unhappy but it is first essential to select an area of study with some sort of options as to what you can do with it.
@Stuff Ghetto People Like,
“do something that makes them happy in life, i.e. don’t pick a career because it’s a high paying one.
Tons of Caribbean and African children wish we could roll this by our parents also. Believe me, I know.
@V.E.G.
Ya know, I understand where parents are coming from when they encourage their kids to aim high. And, to some degree, I think that is what parents are supposed to do.
Yeah, I fully appreciate that. You gotta save your children from themselves sometimes (Black Americans could certainly understand this), but I can’t clap to tryna fit square pegs in round holes (as oftentimes the interests of those parents are self-serving). No disrespect to the Indians I hear about, but it can almost look like some have no other ideas or some sh*t…that myopic focus is just as “not good” for their community as Black American ninjas wanting to all be rappers and ball players.
And @Chasdizz, I agree completely. If you’re gonna go for a professional degree, make sure it’s one with a host of options, including some you’ll like.
@Stank-o,
i totally agree, as student who is searching for her career path right now, i’m soo happy my mom was broke(O_0, well maybe not soo happy) but she had the mentality of when you graduate your gonna have a sh!tload of debt so you might as well accquire it doing something you love and have a good time working that debt off.
@V.E.G.,
picking a career that makes you happy is sooooo important.
i had a job making crazy paper in NYC. I was also endlessly harassed by my boss, Beelzebub’s Sister to the point that my hair started falling out. I would become depressed on Sunday nights knowing I was walking into bullsh*t Monday morning. I would dry heave in the shower every day and was missing periods like a mug.
That job was LITERALLY killing me.
She put the nail in the coffin by telling some shullbit to our division VP. Luckily, he had known me before either of us started working there and set it up so I could exit gracefully with 3 months severance.
Now I’m working in a career I LOVE. I have potential for crazy paper like before, and I’m doing quite well now. I also can stroll in my office whenever and no one looks at me funny, my work is stimulating and interesting, my co-workers and my manager respect my contributions. My research has pushed me forward in ways I never imagined, but I’m never stressed or taking work home with me.
Bonus… my job actually saves lives and helps the public. Before I was just making fat cat richer.
Sorry for the tome, but this struck a chord with me.
@blackberry molasses, what do you do now?
@blackberry molasses, @ Dangerous,
I was about to ask the same thing. I’m thinking something in the public health field, private sector.
@blackberry molasses, VEG,
there aren’t enough shooting gold stars in the world to say how much i agree. this also reminds me of a volunteer sitch i was in last year that really left me p!ssed and befuddled.
i was working with this organization that mentors teen girls and we were having a lunch/career talk downtown. one of the girls was talking about how she had little encouragement from her family and friends regarding the career path she wanted to follow. i forget now what it was but i remember thinking that it was a respectable, good choice and she had a passion for it. yet as it happens with too many of our young people from lower income areas all she was hearing was how she wasn’t going to be able to do it/never make it/you should try _____ instead and all that jazz.
so i told her my story of dealing with the same things and encouraged her to listen respectfully and take into consideration what is being said by the people that really care for her, i.e. family and ignore the other neighborhood riff raff but ultimately take some time to think about what she really wanted and to follow HER dream.
do you know this 2520 chick (now that i think about it she was the president of this chapter) really tried to cut me down in front of this girl? pretty much saying i was wrong, listen to your parents, other people have good advice, etc. but in a way that was truly condescending, twisting every word i just said and making it seem as if i was telling this child to just throw up the deuces and be disrespectful to her parents.
all this AFTER she just got through telling a story about how her father pushed her into being a lawyer and she spent years in the profession, hating her life and was just now making decisions for herself and doing what she really wanted to do with her life. *head tilt*
whaaaaaaa?!?!? i was floored. i sternly but respectfully corrected her misinterpretation of what i just said and asked her how what i said was any different from what she had just said. all kinds of back peddling and nonsense about HOW i said it (which trust me, was not in any disrespectful tone. i love children and have worked with them, from toddlers to teens since i was in junior high) and we ultimately had to agree to disagree. over ultimately giving the SAME advice.
@Stank-o
**puts finger on nose**
DING! You got it for 100 pts. I’m an infectious disease epidemiologist. I specialize in Tuberculosis and HIV.
@blackberry molasses,
“o the point that my hair started falling out. I would become depressed on Sunday nights knowing I was walking into bullsh*t Monday morning. I would dry heave in the shower every day.”
Sounds JUST like grad school! So sad. Hopefully the end are worth it. :/
@Ivy
One day at a time lady.
I actually liked grad school, though. After I quit that job in NYC, I took my GRE’s and was accepted, and started grad school 3 months later.
I don’t play.
@blackberry molasses, “Now I’m working in a career I LOVE. I have potential for crazy paper like before, and I’m doing quite well now. I also can stroll in my office whenever and no one looks at me funny, my work is stimulating and interesting, my co-workers and my manager respect my contributions. My research has pushed me forward in ways I never imagined, but I’m never stressed or taking work home with me.
Bonus… my job actually saves lives and helps the public. Before I was just making fat cat richer.”
I thought you worked for the man? What series is this? LoL
@IVR,
I don’t work for The Man. I work for the people… the CDC silly.
@V.E.G.,
Sounds like we need a “quarter life” crisis support group.
*ahem*
My name is Beez, and I don’t know what the fug I’m gonna be doing 5 years from now, so please don’t ask me that at an interview.
@Beez,
“My name is Beez, and I don’t know what the fug I’m gonna be doing 5 years from now, so please don’t ask me that at an interview.”
HAHAAA!! I know that’s right!!!
@Beez,
“My name is Beez, and I don’t know what the fug I’m gonna be doing 5 years from now, so please don’t ask me that at an interview.”
LOL! I KNOW!
I always have to fight the urge when The Man asks me that generic question to respond, “What do I look like, Miss Cleo?”, but I kinda wanna pay my bills, so *shrug*
@Leila,
I agree Liz! Unless you’re Warren Buffet’s or Bill Gates’ kids, you have no excuse for not going further
you know what, i don’t know about that. i mean, while we might not have the same limitations that cats in the jim crow era had, i’d say its harder to make a living now than it was even 15 years ago.
@The Champ,
“i’d say its harder to make a living now than it was even 15 years ago.”
I would agree with you. Folks who couldn’t afford college could get a job and work their way up to something decent. That is no longer an option. Plus, with outsourcing, many degreed jobs are becoming highly competitive, reducing the salaries employers will pay.
@The Champ, I see what you’re saying. In some ways it was easier before, but I think you should improve upon the previous generation whether it’s through school, careers, personal growth, etc. The economy has its ups & downs, but there’s a problem if you’re going backwards.
“it all comes down to class, and from were you went to school to which neighborhood grocery store you shop at, each discriminating factor contributes to our overall classification.”
This is a great topic Champ. It’s funny that you bring this up because I was just taking a walk around the park and realizing how much my life changed. My family immigrated to the US when I was real young with literally $20 in our pockets and struggled a lot in the beginning. My family worked real hard and after being school for a long time, I have a good job and live in a nice neighborhood. I can’t say that I’m reppin for one side over another because I’ve seen both sides, but it feels good to not stress over money and live comfortably.
@Leila,
shii its still hard out here fora militant must be nice
@Leila,
where did you come from?
@The Champ, Eritrea
“We ain’t doing crime for the sake of doing crime”
I’m riding with the classes below me. True no one is “forcing” people to snatch Jordans…there is a such thing called strain theory. I don’t believe in making excuses but to understand someone’s choices you have to understand their (sub)culture.
@Jennifer,
where im from i member when the jordan xiv’s dropped it you wasnt mex you was gettin jacked cause thats a set out hea
@Jennifer,
Excuse my ignorance… strain theory?
@Ivy St.,
I co-sign this question. My brow perked up in curiosity.
@Ivy St., I looked i tup, lol
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strain_theory_(sociology)
@Smiley Face,
wow! i just learned something new.
that explains alot, i wish more people knew about that theory.
@collegebunni,
Same here. Thanks, Smiley!
@Jennifer,
welcome and sh*t
@The Champ,
Thanks for the welcome. And I meant to post this here….
“Sorry I didn’t realized anyone replied to my comment til now. But um yeah I see you guys already looked strain theory up. It was my fav theory to debate in college and I think it makes a hell of a lotta sense.”
i’m currently warring with/ for this NIMH grant. many battles have been fought and i’m still standing (well, sitting). though just barely. my scientific writing skills have been put to the test, good grief (word to charlie brown). i am determined to be victorious and get dem gub-ment dolla dolla billz yall.
i’m also apparently warring with sanity and my circadian rhythms.
happy thursday VSppl
@Gem of the Ocean,
“i’m also apparently warring with sanity and my circadian rhythms. ”
So then, your grant money is ALL going to go to you, huh? Sweet.
@Gem of the Ocean,
“gub-ment dolla dolla billz” Get me some too! This way I won’t have to pay you back.
In the words of the illustrious Carlton Banks, “We’re running the same race, so why are you tryna trip me up?”
It’s sad but true, Champale. To answer your question, I’m on my side, because it’s the side that pays the bills and keeps a roof. I don’t care about the variations of skin-tones, accents, wavy hair, light eyes, southern or northern folks that we have amongst ourselves – in the scheme of things it just really doesn’t matter. People who think it does matter are brainwashed into believing that by the very ones that will call you a N*GGER as soon as your back is turned. You know why? Because Black is Black – bottom line.
So in closing, I’ll use another quote from the illustrious Carlton Banks: I’m going to “…make like a banana and split.”
Nite yall!
@RedBeanzNRice w/Neckbones,
“RedBeanzNRice w/Neckbones”
Dang. I really miss the Collared Greens.
@V.E.G.,
She should do mustard and turnip greens next. *homer drool*
@V.E.G.,
lol, well what happened to your grits?
@RedBeanzNRice w/Neckbones,
People who think it does matter are brainwashed into believing that by the very ones that will call you a N*GGER as soon as your back is turned
you think euro brainwashing accounts for all of that faulty thinking?
@The Champ,
“you think euro brainwashing accounts for all of that faulty thinking?”
I most certainly do, Champale. It’s been passed down though generations from those who were initially brainwashed. If it weren’t for slave-masters initially making distinctions and giving different treatment based on skin color and features, I doubt our people would have ever even given it a second thought. But that’s just my opine.
@RedBeanzNRice w/Neckbones,
I love you so much for the above comment. You and I are >>here<< with that. It's a theory I 100% support.
@RedBeanzNRice w/Neckbones,
I love ya for this comment! I am in 100% support of that theory!
I dunno im kinda weird im from the ghetto and i love it i done seen alota foul shii but that shii made/makes me stronger and got me outa gettin my ash jumped a few times. I judge class by income and im def low class month to month i make it look like im middle class tho.
i work for the rich folk.
but i live wit the lower income people
and i will/have jack a rich dude all day BUT i neva jacked a ninja.
@BLUNTBLAZER, the hood provides an education that money cannot buy, I’ve said it many many times before …you know whats its funny is its often folk outsidce the hood, folks in the suburbs etc that always feel like they have something to prove…..they IMO are far more dangerous
One of my favorite books is Paul Fussell’s “Class”….a tad dated, but still an entertaining/thought provoking read.
I’m on the side of “Category X”.
@Srgt. Vernon Waters,
Yeah, I’m replying to myself — this guy gives a decent take of the book…http://www.halfsigma.com/2006/06/class.html
@Srgt. Vernon Waters,
thanks for the link and sh*t.
First year of college I lived in the black ‘special interest’ section. Damn near everyone was from the hood, clowned me all the time because I wore sandals, or cuz I wore clothes from Gap. The worst part was, most of those kids never really understood how to deal with white-folks (I think half of them were scared) and the other half just got that weird split between talking in a black-cent with black people, and a ‘Carlton-voice’ for white people.
@InvisibleManNakedCity,
Chanceletas or Thongs?
These things I MUST know.
@Dante_Alexander,
LOL!
What does it matter?
Is one better than the other?
I prefer men not wear Thongs.
@Ivy St.,
They are the bane of my existence.
Knowing what he wore will determine my ability to a) read his post without a side-eyed discerning biased opinion, and b) Prevent me from punching a puppy.
No offense.
@Dante_Alexander,
…don’t the look the same *scratch a temple*
@Smiley Face,
No idea.
Sandals should have but one large velcro strap across the toes/arch, prefereably with a Nike Swoosh or Polo Horse on them. And they should be worn only on the way to the shower, unless you put on socks and wear them out front to drink your 40.
I think you see which side I am on from my previous statement…
@Dante_Alexander,
oooooooh. word.
@Dante_Alexander, Again the hate of the man sandal… what is so WRONG with this?
http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/4436,1350T_Born-Ride-Patina-Slip-On-Sandals-For-Men.html
I’m really serious too. What do you wear in the summer when u dress up?
@pgh muse,
I’m sorry… I don’t know what this “Dress Up” You speak of is.
Toes and Heels out are reserved for those over the age of “Old as sheet” but not “Old as fook”, women, and those not fully americanized and/or fresh off the boat.
The most exposed my feet get is those polo deck shoes with no socks. And I’d have to be absolutely blazing hot to do such a thing.
Perhaps you don’t party with absolute drunkards. I really don’t wanna get Yak out from between my toes.
And having your toes and/or heels out is 71% gay.
@Dante_Alexander, BWAHAHA!
LMAO!!! those are nice tho…
dah weeell… another “L” for a perfectly acceptable shoe for a man in the summer time. I could pull out more pictures of differently styled man sandles maybe?? eh… I can see this is a losing battle.
And having your toes and/or heels out is 71% gay. – this is hilarious and it is NOT gay. maybe a little metro but what if ur going to a concert in the summer and it’s at night and your date is all dressed up? Then what kind of footwear do u wear?
@Dante_Alexander,
“should be worn only on the way to the shower, unless you put on socks and wear them out front to drink your 40.”
Or oversized basketball shorts?
@pgh muse,
have you not read I’m from Detroit?!?
I’d wear orange gators to go with my orange suit with black pinstripes that matched my Orange and black cane and Darby.
I’d also have my pint of Remy in my inside jacket pocket, and offer to share it with the young couple sitting directly behind me.
*This entire thing actually happened to my ex-fiance and I at a concert in Chicago. The old heads was gatored up in front of us and sipping the fine champagne cognac while we were all serenaded by the stylings of Musiq, Teena Marie, Jaheim, Keith Sweat and Alicia Keys. I sipped liberally.
@Dante_Alexander,
I’d wear orange gators to go with my orange suit with black pinstripes that matched my Orange and black cane and Darby.
Dammit!!! My mind’s eye cannot un-see that shet!!! My third eye’s retina is scarred!
iCan’t.
@Dante_Alexander,
lmao @ Detroit. My apologies. It’s dawned on me that I don’t anyone from the D — i DO however know plenty and I mean PLENTY of brethren who would rock candy colored gators in 2009. so i can relate… ummm maybe disagree and try to talk u out of it
but i can relate 
. gators are “sharp”.
@Dante_Alexander,
Down south negros do NOT wear sandals unless they are the adidas with socks on…standard ‘pre-(sports activity)’ wear.
Carry on…
Bond.
@BlkBond,
Agreed.
Standard Pre/Post Sports Activity gear.
But Down South negroes also wear Pants that have the ankles cut off… They call them Shorts.
I tell y’all my boy seen some dope boys on the corner rocking Rec Monkeys over Crocs the other day? Tuh.
@BlkBond, I thought I was the only one who noticed this (see it exactly as you described in the hood every day)….and I don’t see the particular appeal in those either…
I stan for those less fortunate than myself.
I am all about creating safer communities, better schools and more opportunities where black folk work and live.
My parents were/are educated professionals – My mom is a social worker (PhD for mommy VEG!!!) and my dad a tech guy, even in the early days (was one of the first kids in my school to get a computer. Can we say DOS?) – but by no means rich. They had to watch their pennies (three kids will do that to you). And they were all about spending and keeping their money in black communities (integration is, IMO, one of the worst things, financially, for the black economy).
We all need to realize that, no matter our backgrounds, we are subject to similar sets of circumstances. For example, my cousin, who had two college educated parents and was a professional himself, was gunned down in the streets in broad daylight before he turned 30. Another cousin, a student at University of Michigan, died from cancer at 26 because her doctors, for months and months, kept ignoring her complaints about not feeling well. Perhaps, if multiple doctors had not silenced her because she was black and female, her cancer would have been found much sooner, saving her. My Masters Degree having home owning friend, has to drive blocks and blocks to find a decent grocery store in her neighborhood.
Being victims of violence, encountering doctors who discount our complaints, living in food deserts – are among the many things that disproportionately affect people of color. It shouldn’t be this way.
Like Jennifer, I agree no one is being forced to snatch/rob/serve but we all need to acknowledge and understand the long standing institutional racism and classism that contributes to these actions. I have spent a lot of time, career wise and personal, to helping raise awareness for and advocate for disadvantaged folks (on the policy side, mostly. Never been into direct service).
I am also greatly concerned with how the ‘torch’ is being passed to young leaders. We gotta make sure there is always a fresh batch of folks out there wanting to continue the work.
Though I’ve currently switched careers, I still put a lot of personal effort – sitting on Boards, volunteering – into these issues and hope that, in some way, I can help make a difference.
*okay…this comment is kinda tome-ish*
@V.E.G.,
AngelicNastyness
^
See my cosignature above.
Your post had me finna right my REAL name and ish. Had to backspace.
I don’t even have to post today cause you said it all for me:-)
@V.E.G.,
*thumbs up*
@V.E.G.,
“*okay…this comment is kinda tome-ish*”
Replace kinda with “very”. Hehe. But kudos, you owl, you.
@Thuggie Luvvie,
It is tometastic….indeeeeed.
@miss t-lee,
hmph.
lol. y’all ain’t got to repeat what I already realized and acknowledged. :p
@V.E.G.,
*okay…this comment is kinda tome-ish*
the “tome-ish” just flew completely over my head. someone else (i think blackberry) said it upthread as well. what does it mean?
@The Champ,
long.
@The Champ,
tome (tōm)
n.
One of the books in a work of several volumes.
A book, especially a large or scholarly one.
Basically, writing a large amount of sh*t. Possibly (and likely) intelligent, but unwieldy and possibly verbose.
@BlackBerry Molasses,
“unwieldy and possibly verbose”
This is gonna be my E-Harmony screen name. lol.
@V.E.G.,
i can see it. but uh, e-harmony ??
**side eye**
@BBMo,
That was for comedic effect. I prefer to meet my men in respectable places. Like bars. And at the Home Depot.
@V.E.G.,
got it
I was like “VEGgie Tales needs e-harmony? No. She needs mo peoples.”
glad we cleared that up. the comedic part of my brain is on vacay. don’t know when that b*tch is coming back.
@V.E.G.,
Ok, VEG has read my mind and articulated it a whole better than I would have ever had. I can go home now.
i just received my post graduate degree about a month ago and, to the naked eye, should be on the road to somewhere positive. yet, i’m still unemployed and broke. so my a*s is in limbo. it would be my pleasure to serve as the intermediary between at least two of the classes…..for a fee.
@charli skipper, lol
@charli skipper,
i know a few people also in class limbo. grad students choosing to be broke for a couple years with a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. its like professional purgatory
VSB is the devil. Good post! Yesterday’s post was good too… i missed it.
Well. I’m from the ghetto, but Ionno on this one. I think that I ride for the people in the middle. I think we get left out of this convo all the time – and we often have one foot in one world and one foot in the other. I ride for my peoples in the middle cause there are lots of nuances in this conversation that require a certain perspective, and people who have experienced poverty and have gotten out can speak to it. There is a lot of healing necessary in all aspects of the Diaspora and middle class black folks are more likely to be on the ground doing the dirty work like volunteering, mentoring, working for non-profits and the such. The rich black folk can write the checks. I’ll take it.
@pgh muse,
How’s about you ride for the people who want to ride for themselves, but can’t?
I don’t mean those who WON’T, but those who really, REALLY can’t…
@Dante_Alexander, Good point.
Being a cheerleader for folks already doing ok is like preaching to the choir, huh? And there are plenty who really can’t and just don’t know any better.
@pgh muse,
This is why Oprah can lick my taint after basketball practice. Fookin betch.
@Dante_Alexander,
U mad, huh? (c) Saaphyri
@Dante_Alexander,
I feel that you have some strong opinions about Oprah…. please share!
*personally, I’m indifferent to her other than I wish I had 1% of her paper and influence*
@Dante_Alexander, Oprah can lick my taint after basketball practice…
elaborate, por favor. i’m a little dim and haven’t had enough coffee, plus i like Oprah – i mean- i think she has some identity issues and I definitely think she can do more, but I also think she’s pretty generous (don’t kill me)… but maybe there are somethings i don’t know…
@pgh muse,
How many people in Oprah’s crowd are down-trodden?
How many people in Oprah’s crowd actually NEEDED the Cars and gift baskets and books nobody really wants to read?
How hard is it to build a school in Africa where they have nothing as opposed to changing the mindset of the people 3 blocks from Harpo Studios?
I’m not hating on ANY philanthropy, but when you have a big arse studio not too far from an actual HOOD, it would seem to me that her building sheet should sprial OUTWARD, not actually skip every damm thing in the country to go abroad. We’re not talking building Infrastructure. She built a SCHOOL…
I could go on for days about Oprah…
@Dante_Alexander,
Oprah loves you, Dante. Laaaawed knows she do. But she’ll kill you dead befo she let you call her a betch.
(I’m sorry, I HAD to)
LMFAO @ Luvvie’s Saaphyri shout-out. I love quoting her (especially calling chapstick, lip chap)
@Cheekie,
No, she doesn’t. She actually wrote so in a mean arse note back in ’88. I ain’t forgot. Fook her. Sideways. Wit Derek Jeter’s Gift that keeps on giving. Betch.
The difference between the uber rich upperc crust of white folks and black folks? Carnegie vs. Oprah.
Which one helped out the country more, devilish mafioso style slayings and side deals aside?
Oprah gave us “O”, The Book Club, Her show, Oxygen, and 94 different weight classes.
Carnegie? Just LOOK up that name…
@Cheekie,
“You shole is a FOOL!!!” (c) Shug Avery
@Dante_Alexander, About Carnegie
and the shyt Oprah and other rich black folk could do if they wanted to.
GOOOD point!!
@Dante_Alexander,
“No, she doesn’t. She actually wrote so in a mean arse note back in ‘88. I ain’t forgot. Fook her. Sideways. Wit Derek Jeter’s Gift that keeps on giving. Betch.”
Ok, I want the juicy details. She wrote you a mean letter? For what?
And trust, I’m not an Oprah stan, I have my criticisms for her at times, but I don’t hate her either. Kinda in the middle with her, honestly.
@pgh muse,
I think that I ride for the people in the middle
thats another question: what exact is the middle? i mean, is the middle determined by mean or median, and is our middle the same as white americans middle? so many questions and sh*t, and not enough toast
@The Champ, not enough toast
lol. i’m totally with u. I need a nap and am truly about to go take one
. To answer ur question, Champ, when I said the middle I guess I was kinda thinking about myself and people I know around me… working folks – not in poverty but not rich and out of touch either. People I know who are youngish and work on behalf of people who are less fortunate. Some of this work is very thankless and can seem never ending but there are lots of people out there fighting the good fight with them grant dollas.
Hmmm….what factions do I ride for? Well, definitely none regarding money, skin color, hair, status or no idiocy like that. We’re all ultimately brothers and sisters…but I faction in favor of the following when it’s the appropriate time to:
Progressives (vs. douchebag right-wing creeps)
Freethinkers (vs. the theist/religious majority)
Support of American cars (vs. those who think of American cars like women do Black men)
My city (vs. haters of LA/SoCal)
Anti-all things Apple (vs. extremely douchey Apple snobs)
Anti-pork (vs. those who act like pork is the only thing that exists worth eating)
Many more things I’ll defend or argue about, but the above is my basic, black and white, obvious line-in-the-sand ideology.
@Stuff Ghetto People Like, American cars are not the one. At all.
@Dangerous, these aren’t the times of the Dodge Aries and Ford Tempo or the Oldsmobile diesel…the planned obsolescence is dead too. They’ve been building some quality heat (arguably worthy of being among the cars of yore) for years now, definitely most of this decade…
Not to mention our mothers, fathers, and cousins work for these companies. That’s who’s not eating when the profits go to Japan or Germany…
If one wants to drive an import, hey, knock yourself out…but do it because you like that particular car, not out of some outdated ideology that American cars ain’t shhhhyet guaranteed. The mentality is so bad right now that Detroit iron in comparison to imports is akin to we having to be twice as good as whites in the work arena.
@Stuff Ghetto People Like, Yeah thing is… i’m from England lol.
@Dangerous, I caught that when you used the term “row” (pronounced like “meow”)
@Stuff Ghetto People Like,
I cosign 100%. Except my city would be Detroit in stead of LA/SoCal. And don’t get me on the American car thing. The big three are far from perfect but to ish on their whole product line or not give them a look is a shame.
@Humble_One, with some people, you would swear Toyota, Honda, and BMW invented the cure for AIDS. They can do no wrong, but Detroit can do no right. Folks have devalued American cars so much, people purposely treat them like crap and blame the car…when I’ve seen enough clapped out Camrys and Lexuses that are cut a lot of slack…
Makes you wonder if folks would have these feelings toward that American car if the badge on the grill was Apple.
@Stuff Ghetto People Like,
“Anti-pork (vs. those who act like pork is the only thing that exists worth eating)”
I started my elimination of the swine a few months ago. Don’t really miss it. My mama hasn’t touched pork in years (from watching her mother eating nothing but it — in all forms — and having thee highest blood pressure even as a skinny minnie). I would eat it every now and then (Parker House sausages, breakfast sausage, po’k chops, etc)…but I can do without it. I’ont even like pork bacon because it’s more fat than meant. I’m carnivore bish. I want some dayum MEAT*.
*shuddup pause button
@Cheekie,
“I want some dayum MEAT*.
*shuddup pause button”
You ain’t gonna let anyone touch that one huh?
@Humble_One,
Honestly, I figured I was already too late once I even thought about typing that out…
@Stuff Ghetto People Like,
yeah im with Dangerous on the american cars.
caintgetwitit.
if it aint from japan or germany…then really what is it?
@Chasdizz,
if it aint from japan or germany…then really what is it?
better.
@Chasdizz, would you drive an African brand car if one existed?
@Stuff Ghetto People Like,
if it came with spinners
sure i would. depending on the gas mileage and honestly, how it looked. durability, avg life of the car….and whatever else you’re supposed to base a car purchase on.
im not an american car hater, but my favorite cars happen to come from japan and germany.
@champ,
dont be offended. what you drive? dont say cadillac….or do. it’s your choice really.
@Chasdizz,
that spinners comment, clearly a joke. gotta step my strike through game up.
@Stuff Ghetto People Like,
Progressives (vs. douchebag right-wing creeps)
you know, i wouldnt have said this five years ago, but i think there’s just as many douchebag creeps in the far left.
@The Champ, trust, I know there’s weirdos there too. I’m left of center if anything, and pragmatic (I can cut the right slack on some of their ideas too). And I think you and I are among the few Black folks who actually think on where their ideology is…vs. those who roboticly vote Democrat.
@Stuff Ghetto People Like,
anti-pig?
smgdh…who don’t like bacon?????
I have seen it all today
@KingPineNut,
I don’t and won’t ever dine on the swine.
@BlackBerry Molasses,
lmaooo
the only good pig is a dead pig on measured in pounds on my plate
@KingPineNut, where did you grow up, near a Jimmy Dean factory?
@Stuff Ghetto People Like,
You know..what…i don’t eat chicken…blame perdue and the east shore of md…*shivers*
porkchops is good eats
@KingPineNut,
You tryin’ to treat folks that don’t eat pork…yet you don’t eat….CHICKEN?! It’s like the meat version of manna, it’s so glorious.
@Stuff Ghetto People Like,
There are all kinds of things wrong with this list…I hope this is an attempt at comedy.
Bond. BlkBond.
@BlkBond,
“There are all kinds of things wrong with this list…I hope this is an attempt at comedy.”
LMFAO. Stuff Ghetto People Like wasn’t kiddin’ when he said it wasn’t his week. Folks treatin’ him left and right. Can’t he live?!! lol
@Cheekie,
Why won’t you let him be great?!
*sniggling*
@BlkBond, why should it be an attempt at comedy? Something I should know?
@Stuff Ghetto People Like,
…it’s just not your week is it boo? lol
@Smiley Face,
I know, right? Po, thang…
@Smiley Face,
LOL, I know…I wanna e-pat him on the head and e-kiss him on the cheek.
@Stuff Ghetto People Like,
Progressives (vs. douchebag right-wing creeps)
Freethinkers (vs. the theist/religious majority)
Anti-all things Apple (vs. extremely douchey Apple snobs)
I agree with this list.
I’m for justice and unity….period.
F**k gentrification…..don’t get me started
@KingPineNut,
I’m not sure if this already came up up thread, but would you say there are some positive to gentrification?
-decrease in crime
- grocery stores with healthy food options
-better schools
I’m not saying I support it, but I do see some positives that the gentrification process brings. Granted rent increases because property value increases. With more taxable incomes moving into the neighborhood, it can afford more police officers (does more police =less crime?) and money to afford more or better teachers. Again, I am not a fan of families being moved out of a neighborhood into worse neighborhoods because they can’t afford rent. One should be able to uplift a neighborhood without removing the people. Maybe I’m on the fence, having never been a part of the real process besides being happy to have a Whole Foods that I can’t afford down the street from me.
@Ivy St.,
I’m on the fence as well..gentrification is a double edged sword, unselfish selfishness. Where do they displaced people go when there is no where else to go? How do you do something for the ‘people’ when the ‘people’ aren’t involved?
@Smiley Face,
Where do they displaced people go when there is no where else to go?
In the city of the Chi…they send the displaced (mainly those from the projects that were torn down) to my old neighborhood of Chatham-Avalon and any other neighborhood SOUTH of Hyde Park. So now you have the ignorant folk from the projects (not all of the “displaced” are ignorant) coming in the neighborhoods, not respecting folk’s property; therefore bringing down the property value. It’s frustrating.
@K to the…,
Exactly. Folks from the old projects in Chi are also being sent to South Shore and now you have class wars between some of the city’s wealthiest and poorest blacks.
They are also being sent to the burbs. Where transportation and job options are limited, compared to the city. They become isolated and unable to get to a job if and when they get one.
@K to the… and VEG,
Trueness. Even in my area (Beverly/Morgan Park) which is known to be home of upper middle class Irish Catholics is starting to get that feel. Actually, that’s a strange neighborhood, because once you go east of the Metra tracks on 111th…that’s the divide. But, it’s such a combined neighborhood (which is why it has two names) that you can’t really tell the difference.
@Smiley Face,
Where do they displaced people go when there is no where else to go?
in the burgh they’re going to the suburbs.
its especially interesting watching the dynamics play out in penn hills, a pittsburgh suburb which, for years, was the place for blacks to escape, ummm, “niggas”, lol.
now the niggas are coming, but, surprisingly, the high school ball team is actually getting worse
@The Champ,
“now the niggas are coming, but, surprisingly, the high school ball team is actually getting worse”
This was pure comedy
@The Champ, “its especially interesting watching the dynamics play out in penn hills, a pittsburgh suburb which, for years, was the place for blacks to escape, ummm, “niggas”, lol. ”
Sounds like Hempstead NY to me . . .
@The Champ, in the burgh they’re going to the suburbs.
This is so true. Carnegie is crazy right now. My father’s family is from out there – it was always very suburban or very small town-ish; now pockets of it are like Whiteside Road, or Northview Heights. What a difference a few years and a different class of people can make.
@The Champ,
Im a native ATLien and since they have torn down ALL of the projects except 3 all of those displaced people have relocated to the suburbs and have taken their section8 vouchers with them. Im apt hunting now cause I need to get away from this nonsence! I cant find a decent apt complex cause they are super full or the ones they have available have been trashed!! Where I live now used to be considered the boonies but its not now! The police used to be kinda laxed but now u cant go a night w/o roadblocks or ride dirty! Dayum MAN!!!!
@Ivy St.,
The main issue is that it probably won’t help most of the people who were living there and the benefits will go to the new people moving in who weren’t doing so bad in the first place where they already were.
@Omar,
Bingo.
@Omar,
Yep yep
@Ivy St.,
****
I’m not sure if this already came up up thread, but would you say there are some positive to gentrification?
-decrease in crime
- grocery stores with healthy food options
-better schools
****
I don’t see any cause the poor folks that were there before are getting the boot. They definitely won’t get the benefits…just the scorn from their new neighbors
@KingPineNut,
“I don’t see any cause the poor folks that were there before are getting the boot.”
while i do feel bad for the poor folks being forced out, on the flipside, you’re not gonna attract businesses and money if your community is overrun with crime.
i grew up in east liberty, a section of pittsburgh thats being gentrified as we speak, and i currently live in an apartment within walking distance.
i can’t say that i’m unhappy with the changes going on in my old neighborhood. its a good thing to be able to go to a club or the barbershop or borders without worrying about getting carjacked anymore (not saying crime still doesn’t happen, but the chances of it occurring have decreased dramatically).
@The Champ,
I can see your point but do you think that requires wholesale migration?
@The Champ,
I understand that but implementing gentrification in a neighborhood like that is like putting a band-aid on an amputated limb…you stopped the blood from flowing from the little section but you’re forcing it bleed somewhere else. That’s what I mean when I asked, where do they go when there’s no where else to go. Eventually there’s going to be a wall you can’t put displaced folks behind anymore.
“I understand that but implementing gentrification in a neighborhood like that is like putting a band-aid on an amputated limb…you stopped the blood from flowing from the little section but you’re forcing it bleed somewhere else”
this is true, and thats where the ambivalence comes from.
do you care more about the cats who are being forced out or the fact that you can finally walk to borders at night with your girl without rocking kevlar?
@The Champ,
I care more about the folks that are being forced out…forcing them to move is making it worse…’it’ being crime, poverty and all the other good stuff…that’s like robbing peter to pay paul.
*side note..i’m just full of idioms today,lol*
Never ever forget where you came from…that’s the class I’m riding with. Somebody HAD to be on the bottom so you could step on their shoulders and put cho azz in their face on the way to the top.
I’m riding for the folk who dusted the dirt from my shoes off of their shoulders just to have someone come behind me and dirty them up all over again.
Born and raised in Soufeas (that’s S.E. DC for those not in the know, lol) so I know all about the stigma attached to being raised in the ‘hood’. I’ve gotten the ‘you can’t possibly know anything about Anacostia’ looks because I speak proper English ( well most days anyway, lol)…my point remains though, my hand is always and will forever be reaching back as I continue forward. I mean sh*t, where would I be if when I was reaching up I grabbed nothing but air instead of the hand of someone who came back for me?
Looking back, my life wasn’t hard growing up…my parents didn’t put up with foolishness, but they taught me as much as a country boy from Kentucky and a Guyanese immigrant could about hard work and perseverance.
Damn, I wrote a novel, but y’all get my point, lol!!
@Smiley Face,
this entire comment made me
@Smiley Face,
Big ups to da Big Chair!
@Smiley Face,
Never ever forget where you came from…that’s the class I’m riding with.
Chuuch….tabernacle…altar…and Sacraments!!!
@Smiley Face,
lol i just got in a heated row w/ my boy about that new fangled stadium and high rises going up in dc. Ain’t none of the local folks able to see a game..or live in any them places.
Soon enough the city will be takin what little plots of land they got in the name of eminent domain.
@KingPineNut,
For real!!! Don’t nobody in SW go to that dayum stadium! It’s deserted as heyell after 6 pm on a weekday..I don’t see no gotdayum economic stimulation in that neighborhood..sh*t!…can you tell I’m upset? lol
@Smiley Face,
I am right with you…..believe me. Bro tried to tell me…gentrification is good…and i shut that sh!t down quick….
Found out he was movin there the next month. He was mum about that point…lol
I felt the same way bout the new stadiums up in baltimore too…
i know i’m gonna be crotchity old black man……..
@KingPineNut,
LMAO..let me find out you gon be ‘mean ole mr jones’, lol
@KingPineNut,
DC is deep in VSB. Yessir!
Oh gentrification! I used to live on the 2500 block of 13th NW in a building I was told was a drug den. The big building on Clifton between 13th and 14th WAS so bad that the po-lice didn’t even venture in there.
The only downside is that DC is gettin to the point you need to clear 50K and above to be able to live comfortable.
Now I’m a transplant (Midwest stand up) so all I see the new new sh!t like the big box-ification of Columbia Heights *tear*
@Stank-o,
I know exactly where you are talking about. For about 3 months while visiting at American, I sublet a place on Clifton right across from that big place. It felt so odd…the buliding I lived in was seemingly young professionals, mostly white folks, right across the street from that big azz building. That was in the fall of 2006. And you know the strip mall right at Clifton is completely gone. It feels weird driving around there.
I was back in DC this past May, and Columbia Heights looks like a completely different place. It’s really crazy.
@Smiley Face
like my momma n ‘em say, “I KNOW DAS RIGHT”
but a question, what is up with d.c’s love for marion berry.
i watched the documentary last night, and it was amazing!
That movie in it’s twisted way made me proud to be black(?) atleast in the sense that there really ain’t no love, or loyalty like that stuff you get from black people. ah-mazing…to say the least.
smh…
@collegebunni,
don’t nobody bet not talk bout my Marion Berry, lol
crack, infidelity, tax evasion and sexual harassment aside…..o_O…I had a point somewhere..smh
@collegebunni,
He’s home grown (prolly like the stuff he smokes.) You hafta stan for the home team. He’s Ward 8 representative. If you’ve ever been to Ward 8 you can understand why and how the people relate to him. It’s like voting for your sketchy uncle Earl.
Like someone said above, I’m for the kids.
Like Whitney said, “The children are our future.”
Anywho, everything starts with them…. we all once started out as good kids…. willing and wanting to learn, but somewhere that will was broken – I want to do all that I can to make sure that doesn’t happen.
@Nicki Sunshine,
Sang Whitney!!
@Nicki Sunshine, I like Whitney’s song on the radio. I was kinda concerned that it is an R. Kelly track… maybe they comfort each other… ne who… she sounds good. Not like old whitney, but good.
@pgh muse,
Not like old whitney, but good.
Well, when you’ve been on cocaine (not crack, because it is wack) for about 10 years, you’re not gonna sound the same as before.
Anywho, I loves Whitney and glad she’s coming back!
@pgh muse, I agree. Her voice is not what it used to be.. but it’s still good. I thought she sounded a lil hoarse.
@Nicki Sunshine,
I agree… “I Look to You” is rough…
@Nicki Sunshine,
Seshual Chawclate!
@Beez, ***stomps feet*** throws mike
@Nicki Sunshine,
“Like Whitney said, “The children are our future.””
*prays like there’s no tomorrow that Soulja Boy is not one of these children*
@Cheekie,
re: Soulja Boy..I’m still waiting for what he has to tell me o_O
@Smiley Face,
I wanted to know for the longest time what he wanted to tell me, too, but now I’d just like him to shutup.
@Cheekie, LMAO!! I agree. Can we gone ‘head and pray that Pretty Rickey isn’t in the future also?
@Nicki Sunshine,
ain’t nuthin pretty about them Rickeys.
And can Spectacular just hurry up and come out of that dank musty azz closet already??
*@ Spec in my dormant British Accent*
Sweetie, you’re not fooling anyone.
@BlackBerry Molasses, LMAO. I know right??? Ain’t no man gonna be that booty-poppin-lishis.
@BlackBerry Molasses,
“ain’t nuthin pretty about them Rickeys.”
Tell IT!
I hate they had to come up with the THEE most ironic name that attracted THEE most attention to their fug. Were they tryin’ to yell from the rooftops that their mugs look like death warmed over?
@BlackBerry Molasses & Nicki Sunshine, that new Pleasure P song is pretty dope though…*goes to Imeem*
@SGPL,
iCan’t.
Every time I hear it I think about that d@mn vid that Spec made and go somewhere between the gigglefits and the upchucks.
@Nicki Sunshine,
co-sign. i ride for the chillem.
and Whitney has the best quotables.
@Nicki Sunshine,
we all once started out as good kids…. willing and wanting to learn, but somewhere that will was broken
thats the billion dollar issue right there
@The Champ,
‘we all once started out as good kids…. willing and wanting to learn’
…then we noticed the opposite sex and cooties were no longer an issue…lol
@Smiley Face,
I know you’re being tounge in cheek and iChortled.
But to the point– this is point worth discussing.
I fully believe in Tabula Rasa and think that all children are born with the inherent will to thrive. Otherwise they wouldn’t make it out the womb, let alone have been conceived (it takes a lot of motivation to be the one sperm that makes it!)
Its just that once those kids are born, the nurturing they receive (or don’t) can either encourage or kill that will. And it happens EARLY. I’m thinking before a child reaches the age of 2.
I used to teach and I knew so many young people that had the light snuffed out of them before they even got out of middle school.
They literally couldn’t envision life beyond the next couple of weeks or months, let alone years down the road. If they did have a vision, it was disturbing at best and tragic at worst.
And the crazy part is they thought I was nuts for coming back for them, once they found out my background. They really were on some “If you got that fancy degree and can make all that money, what are u doing here with us?”
iCried for them… alot.
@BlackBerry Molasses, “They really were on some “If you got that fancy degree and can make all that money, what are u doing here with us?””
That attitude was learned from the older people around them.. they don’t believe they are worthy of anything better than the mess they have right in that minute.
It’s so sad.
I think after a child’s will is broken, it can be recovered also. It just needs the proper nurturing- between teachers and HOME. The problem is, a lot of these kids aren’t getting it at home.
@BlackBerry Molasses,
“And the crazy part is they thought I was nuts for coming back for them, once they found out my background. They really were on some “If you got that fancy degree and can make all that money, what are u doing here with us?””
And this is why I get so angry at people who “got theirs” and hit bricks so fast the dust didn’t have time to settle. It’s sad when kids don’t know anything about that kind of love and community.
I guess I’ve gotta ride with middle class folks. Grew up in the class, still in the class, might die in the this class, but that’s all right with me.
I have a strong appreciation for the working class folks, anyone who’s struggling to get themselves and their families into a better stituation.
I ride for the non-traditional students.
*First Fridays huh? Wow I haven’t been to one of them thangs in ages…lol Too much preening, posing, and posturing for ya girl.
@miss t-lee, non-traditional students stand up!!!!
We are immigrants, (BIG UP MY VI/BVI MASSIVE!!!) my mom worked hard to provide for a better life for us. She worked at a gas station at one point and finally found a job at a bank. I’ve always known my mother to work hard and save. Now, although she still works she has a nice home, a nice car and a savings account that would make a lot of people blush with envy, myself included. She never used excuses about the white man or anyone for that matter to hold her back from achieving the “american dream”. I am not where I thought I would be at this age, but I know that I am on my way, because the same spirit that my mom had to succeed is instilled within me and one day when I have childred I will instill that same spirit in them. So to answer the question, who’s side am I on, I ride hard for everyone that believes that a hard days work will reap its benefits in due time!
@Complex Simplicity, childred should be children….my fingers have a mind of their own.
@Complex Simplicity,
“I am not where I thought I would be at this age, but I know that I am on my way, because the same spirit that my mom had to succeed is instilled within me and one day when I have childred I will instill that same spirit in them”
I feel you. Hang in there!!
@Complex Simplicity,
“I ride hard for everyone that believes that a hard days work will reap its benefits in due time!”
Preach!!!
@Smiley Face,
I see that “Preach!” and raise you a “Holy Ghost!”
In other words, I co-sign.
@miss t-lee,
I co-sign your post. I also haven’t been to a first Friday in a minute; the posing that goes on there would make you believe it was an Oscar’s After party. I’m like, sit down. All of youse.
Bond.
I guess i’m in the middle on this one.
I’m a full time college student working on an engineering degree. I speak proper English and do things that relatives deem bourgie. However at the end of the day, I still go home and feel semi-comfortable in the house I’ve lived in for the majority of my life, in the hood.
@brran1,
i’d argue that the majority of the vsb-ers have a similar background
Well written post Champie poo poo!
@Ivy St.,
I second that emotion!
@Ivy St.,
I third that emotion. Especially the ‘Champie poo poo’, part. That part is truth, right there.
@Ivy St.,
thanks and sh*t
I’ll try to keep this short.
I’ma product of parents of the lower rung of middle class-dom. I hope to advance to upper middle class-lower upper class-dom (odds look good I’m learning a region few ppl in the US Gubbment know about) for the sake of my unborn chilluns. Sure having the money will be nice, but I want to be able to put my children on a plane before the age of 16, and overseas before the age of 21. I want them to have a trust fund (that they cannot touch but will pay for grad school and pursuing a PhD if they desire) I want them to not be latchkey kids (I’ve had a house key since I was at least 7 or 8 years old) I want them to footloose and fancy free as long as possible.
BSR’s example is reminding me I need to get back on my volunteering greasy (as soon as I finish my Master’s). If we don’t who will?
@Stank-0,
BSR’s example is reminding me I need to get back on my volunteering greasy (as soon as I finish my Master’s)
why wait until you’re done. there’s always gonna be something. the best way to do it is to just do it and sh*t
@The Champ,
I was gonna come back with “I don’t have much time” which I don’t but I wouldn’t be here without alot of help from different ppl along the way.
*warming up his google search eff a Bing*
As most of you avid readers may know, I’m from Detroit. And this isn’t like “I’m from Farmington and I just Say Detroit because nobody knows where the hell Farmington IS” type of sheet. My mother was a teacher and my Pops played Bass for any band that would let him. We been on the bottom, we been in the middle, but they still live and love The D, so that’s who I ride for. People like THEM. They may not be the upper crust (far from it), but they wanted just a little bit MORE than they’d had earlier in life.
Detroit is the most segregated City in America (look it up, I sheet you not). It is also what would happen if an HBCU was a City (how many of you STILL waiting on a refund check?)…
Anyways, when I was in The A, we used to buy houses that were for like 40K and sell em to the families I met while working for the Y on the Westside for little over cost. And these were like estate houses that weren’t in need of a lot of repair. Instead of trying to fook over people and make a fast buck the way everybody else was, we were getting people who might have been paying like 500/month in the projects into homes they’d pay 350/month for. That was quite rewarding. Not EVERYBODY in the hood is there because they are ignorant and sheet… Some have actually been led to believe there is no other alternative. Persuasion (both the folks and the power) are very powerful…
I think I’ve technically made it into the middle class right now, but fook them corksmokers. They ain’t really help me when I was in need, so they can kiss my arse with the upper class, too (anybody who knows who Coleman A. Young is/was, this attitude prolly echoes with them, cuz he stamped it on every Detroiters head for 25 years). I stay exactly in the middle of “Don’t live here at ANY cost, unless you grew up here” and “We grew up down the way, and can’t afford to move any further out… This’ll have to do” in Baltimore now. Its cool, but like I said before, I live for the people who are about positive change, no matter where they are from…
@Dante_Alexander,
“We been on the bottom, we been in the middle, but they still live and love The D, so that’s who I ride for. People like THEM. They may not be the upper crust (far from it), but they wanted just a little bit MORE than they’d had earlier in life.”
Thats how I feel. Although I do get discouraged at times. My parents stay in Boston-Edison. They could have easily ran across 8 mile but they chose to stay.
“Detroit is the most segregated City in America (look it up, I sheet you not). It is also what would happen if an HBCU was a City (how many of you STILL waiting on a refund check?)… ”
LOL. Why am I still waiting on mine? I called them last week and they’re telling me i owe them what was clearly overpaid as shown on my W2.
@Dante_Alexander,
*Le sigh*You are my e-hero..I heart you *hearts and stars and sh*t*
@Smiley Face,
I’m extremely e-flattered. Word.
@Dante_Alexander,
It is also what would happen if an HBCU was a City (how many of you STILL waiting on a refund check?)
LOL
@Dante_Alexander,
“Detroit is the most segregated City in America”
Chicago is a close 2nd.
@Thuggie Luvvie,
*nods*.
It’s really jarring when you simply drive under the el tracks and end up in an entirely different culture. Like sometimes you gotta go back and check, it’s so odd…
@Cheekie,
Or when u walk by Barack Obama’s house and not even five minutes pass and u see broken liquor bottles, miscellaneous trash and the usual ghetto foolishness!
@L, “Or when u walk by Barack Obama’s house and not even five minutes pass and u see broken liquor bottles, miscellaneous trash and the usual ghetto foolishness!”
This is what was so crazy to me . . . to see it on TV you would think the white house was in the woods somewhere . .
@L,
Yeah, that’s probably the weirdest house placement ever.
@Thuggie Luvvie, ““Detroit is the most segregated City in America”
Chicago is a close 2nd.”
Any place more segregated than New York must be outta control. My neighborhood was even segregated . . .one side black folks . . .cross the street and it’s str8 hasidic over there (big street). . . felt bad for them when they had to go to the post office.
@IVR,
That’s an integrated hood, b. I’m talking about the ENTIRE CITY is 90% one thing, with little to no money to show for it. There is no other major city that is as closed off as The D. i mean it’s getting better now, but when I was growing up, The D was 94% black, with 98% of the money from outside 8-mile…
@Dante_Alexander, Ahh .. . segregated from the rest of the country . . . I stand corrected.
I had to go to Warren Michigan (who names a road big beaver and what do you folks have against left turns??) for a class last year and ended up getting my hair cut at some spot in the middle of Detroit . . I do admit that was some depressing sh!t . . .everything all boarded up . . . it was like a vacant city.
@Dante_Alexander,
If by “The rest of the country” you mean “white people with money, power, influence and jobs”, then yes. That is exactly what I mean.
Almost NONE of them live IN the actual City. All the spots mentioned in other sities are still INSIDE City limits…
@IVR,
Put it like this: There are NO MALLS in the City of Detroit.
Wanna know how ironic that is? Northland Mall was one of the first shopping malls, and it is on 9 Mile. That was like 1950-something…
@Dante_Alexander, I just imagine the D being one boarded up building after another… with tumbleweeds rolling down the street.
Like a real live ghost town.
scary@me.
**however 1 of the finest specimens of manhood I have ever met lives and works in the D… and trying to get the fack out… to NJ–snicker**
This topic hits close to home. I grew up in a middle class family went to private school except for high school. Both of my parents are college graduates. My neighborhood was middle/working class. We could have moved to the suburbs easily but my parents chose to stay in the city. I fall on the side of those that are trying to help others to help themselves. One thing I have realized by watching my older friends raise their kids is that if black folks like us(us meaning VSBs and VSSs) don’t reach back we are squandering a lot of potential. My older friends have children that are in their teens and early 20s and I saw where they really failed their kids in some areas. It’s a continuous cycle. My homeboys grew up without that guidance and their sons and daughters are following the same path. The side I am not on is the bougie upper middle class and middle class negroes. Till this day i have a chip on my shoulder from being around them. The cliquishness, arrogance, and elitism pisses me off seriously.
@Humble_One,
“The cliquishness, arrogance, and elitism pisses me off seriously.”
We call that pissed off to the utmost of pisstivity…and we *here*
@Humble_One,
I feel like we are one mind when it comes to this topic.
@Humble_One,
Till this day i have a chip on my shoulder from being around them.
lol, yeah. you definitely do. i’ve seen it come out in a few comments here.
@The Champ,
Right?
@The Champ,
no no, he’s not that transparent AT ALL
**snicker**
@Humble_One, . The side I am not on is the bougie upper middle class and middle class negroes. Till this day i have a chip on my shoulder from being around them. The cliquishness, arrogance, and elitism pisses me off seriously.
Yeah co-sign.
I am from Youngstown, Oh, so it doesn’t get more hood than that. When I tell people where I am from, they are first surprised and then get a little scared. Lol.
I am in college now. I grew up middle class, yet am now considered “upper class”. I felt more comfortable middle class. Once people find out what I have, they treat me better. Like really? Treat me better because of materialistic things or because of what I have access to? It infuriates me because it is not an indication of my character or my potential or abilities. It makes it difficult to find people who like me for me and not for what I have.
As far as the side I am on, I am on the side of anyone who is busting their ass trying to attain their goals.
@pe. riche., Youngstown, Oh, so it doesn’t get more hood than that
Lmao. U ain’t lying about this one.
@pe. riche.,
what parts? asking because i have fam in youngstown, which might be the only city in america where the entire city is the f*cking hood, lol. you have to drive to all the way to boardman to find two consecutive non-hood blocks
@The Champ,
Not only that, but you also have to go to Boardman or Austintown for Walmart. Youngstown is so hood we don’t even have one, lol. But Liberty is getting one, so kudos to that township.
I’m from the North Side. Practically my entire family lives around (what use to be) Rayen High School and Elm Street.
My check probably puts me in the middle but I live closer to the bottom, I’m comfortable here for now and no one around will ever know I make more than them, incognegro and sh*t
@Omar,
Ain’t it sad that we gotta “play poor” amongst our brethren/sistren? Sorta a sub-category of “playing dumb”, too. It’s such a shame, for real. Speaks to what we expect of ourselves…
@Cheekie,
Ain’t it sad that we gotta “play poor” amongst our brethren/sistren? Sorta a sub-category of “playing dumb”, too. It’s such a shame, for real. Speaks to what we expect of ourselves…
i was going to write about that as well, but i couldnt articulate and connect it the way i wanted to
@The Champ,
It could be a whole ‘nother topic of its own…I encourage you to write it and look forward to it if ya do.
@Cheekie, “Ain’t it sad that we gotta “play poor” amongst our brethren/sistren? Sorta a sub-category of “playing dumb”, too. It’s such a shame, for real. Speaks to what we expect of ourselves…”
I think DC (the non east sections) may be the only place in America that may be the opposite of this (just made my one year in this place) . . . it seems everyone I meet around here is 20 something and borderline 6 figures . . . and they show it . . . craziness
@IVR,
I’ve never been to DC, but I’ve heard stories and know folks that live there…what you say is definitely true.
@IVR,
LOL….yes, I know of that which you speak of…but it starting to rear it’s head on the eastern most part of DC
@IVR,
I am most assured not even in smoke signaling distance of 6 figures.
I like nice dress clothes, but I seek out steals (known as deals to you mere mortals) like a blood hound.
Thought I wouldn’t have to post cause I co signed up above, but this has stirred my spirit.
Given my career path it is evident, that Angel luv da kids!
I read an intersting quote while doing some research on same-gender classrooms and someone said.,
“If we build a boy, we won’t have to repair a man.”
He was speaking of Black boys but this quote is applicable to children in general. I have dedicated myself to fostering the growth our youth which includes working with parents to realize the visions they have for their children, cause no matter how f*cked up someone’s parenting style may be, in the end they really want better for their kids, whatever they may determine that to be.
However with that being said I wonder, if the children are the future, what the hell we gonna do about these young adults walkin around in our present?? Can we rebuild them? Do we have the technology?
Chris Rock kept it 100% when he said it was a battle between nigs and blacks. I won’t lie cause I have felt that way. I gave the speech at my graduation and my cousin dropped out. I got another degree and she had her third child, third baby dad. I was featured in the local paper for my work and she was on the local news in bar fight. Real talk she can pop out a kid faster than I can get another degree.
I’ve tried to pull her up, encourage her, support her the whole nine. I haven’t given up but honestly I don’t have the answers.
Clearly it’s hard to tell a grown person what to do or try to teach them in the ways that they should go when they’ve already been.
But do we just give up? Cause at the end of the day we all in it together. Cause those boys who were jackin someone for sneaks will cause the next white woman to look at your upstanding son with the slant eye and cross the street. Somethings gotta give.
Aite I’m gettin upset. Gotta get back to work
@AngelicNastyness,
““If we build a boy, we won’t have to repair a man.””
and that’s it right there!! you tryin to make me cry or something? *sniff*
@Smiley Face, cosign
@AngelicNastyness,
“If we build a boy, we won’t have to repair a man.”
Aw, snap! I LOVE this quote. This is the type of stuff that Yahoo Mail signatures are made for.
Seriously, great quote. Gotta write that down.
@AngelicNastyness,
From my experience you have to reach them before middle school. My ex taught middle school in Detroit Public School and from what she would tell me I think the BS starts at about 11-13 years old. There needs to be a support system to make up for where the parents are lacking. I hate to say this but some of these parents are just not capable because they weren’t given the right guidance themselves.
@AngelicNastyness,
Real talk she can pop out a kid faster than I can get another degree
lol, unless you’re doogie howser, it should take longer to get a degree than have a kid
@AngelicNastyness,
Can we rebuild them? Do we have the technology?
Six Million Dollar Man reference FTW!
I’ve had the fortune of living in many different places in this country. The one thing that was constant from Chicago to Phoenix to Tuscaloosa to Columbus, MS to Cleveland when it came to black folx is that we all frackin’ scared to death of caring for one another the way that we all should.
I see these young kids walking down the street, past my house every day and I want to stop them and talk to them but I don’t because of these preconceived notions that I foolishly let into my head by those who fear what they don’t know/understand/comprehend, that these kids are “bad” because the way they dress or how they talk.
There’s also that factor where those days when you automatically trusted an adult are long gone because you don’t know who may be hiding some John Wayne Gacy/Jeffrey Dahmer sicko/pervo tendicies underneath those “good intentions”.
So I don’t stop them and “talk to them”. I do the most innocent thing I can think of, I wave to them. And I swear that they look at me, like the late, great Robin Harris would say, “yo, what set this ninja from?” But I keep waving my happy arse off.
The kids, in my opinion, start off like blank hard drives. They can only put out what some one puts in them. “The Streets” couldn’t possibly be responsible for how bad some of these kids turn out. A lot of that shyt began at home. Some of these people out there that are parents, I wouldn’t let them walk my dog to the end of my driveway, but these fools are somebody’s mother and father.
You know what, that’s another story…sorry for getting off track.
My point is, we are too busy either frontin’, acting stuck up, finger pointing, finger waving, basically too busy pre-judging one another
@T. Troy Stewart, My point is, we are too busy either frontin’, acting stuck up, finger pointing, finger waving, basically too busy pre-judging one another..
Amen to this whole post. Some kids are aching to hear something kind or positive directed at them. It might change their life.
@pgh muse, exactly. DL Hughley had my grown ass all teary eyed a couple of weeks ago when he was talking about that one person whose one compliment made the difference in his life
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnEdKAq5lXg
all these kids need is for someone to show them that they care and want them to be successful.
@T. Troy Stewart,
You gon stop makin all this sense all willy nilly up and through here..you hear me!!
You betta say it!
@T. Troy Stewart,
“The one thing that was constant from Chicago to Phoenix to Tuscaloosa to Columbus, MS to Cleveland when it came to black folx is that we all frackin’ scared to death of caring for one another the way that we all should. ”
Put this on an iPod and hit repeat!
@T. Troy Stewart,
wow… I have developed a new e-crush.
This just made sweet love to my bleeding heart.
@T. Troy Stewart,
My point is, we are too busy either frontin’, acting stuck up, finger pointing, finger waving, basically too busy pre-judging one another
And therein lies the gist of the matter.
Growing up in Nigeria, we were definitely Upper class. Me, my siblings and my cousins had our own drivers, while our parents also had their own. I didn’t even wash my own dishes until I came here because we had maids. In the U.S. though, I’m Lower Middle class. Eh. However, I can support my shoe habit, so all is well
.
Got my Bachelor’s but won’t feel fully fulfilled (*pumps fists for alliteration*) until I get my Master’s degree. I’m ’bout that MBA. The GMAT test is scary @ me. Speaking of which, I may wanna start studying soon… or something.
@Thuggie Luvvie,
Growing up in Nigeria, we were definitely Upper class. Me, my siblings and my cousins had our own drivers, while our parents also had their own. I didn’t even wash my own dishes until I came here because we had maids. In the U.S. though, I’m Lower Middle class. Eh. However, I can support my shoe habit, so all is well .
Ever make you wonder “What the f*ck am I doing? I’m going back!” Man, we had drivers, maids, nannies and even a woman who would come and braid my hair/ give pedicures.
Till you remember all the BS that made you leave in the first place.
But when I see pics of the family home, my dad’s house on the coast, my cousin’s 3 story PALACE… **sigh**
Going to Ghana for Christmas though! **does jig**
@BlackBerry Molasses, Ghana is by far one of my favorite countries, Nigeria is the ish too, I would love to go back and build a home and retire and rebuild some the areas outside Accra but I know too many ppl are forgetting the 3rd world country that is their neighborhood so I gotta do some work here first.
@Thuggie Luvvie, why I got this vision of the ball washers scrubbin me down talkin bout the “royal penis is clean”?
@Blacklaw,
lol, me too (no amber rose)
@Thuggie Luvvie,
“Me, my siblings and my cousins had our own drivers, while our parents also had their own. I didn’t even wash my own dishes until I came here because we had maids.”
Forgive my American ignorance, but why would someone leave this for the rat race? I had a few classmates in Boston that left similar situations and I can’t imagine a reason why.
@Ivy St.,
Girl, I’ve asked folks the same question, out of curiosity. The answers have run the gamut. For students who come to study, I have learned that schools in their country may not have the subjects/courses they want to study. Others come because an American education makes them very attractive to employers.
I even had one guy tell me he moved to America to acquire even more wealth.
@V.E.G.,
. For students who come to study, I have learned that schools in their country may not have the subjects/courses they want to study. Others come because an American education makes them very attractive to employers.
That was the primary reason for my move. It is supposedly a temporary move… but 8 years doesn’t feel as temporary anymore… Lol!
p.s: Although I didn’t have a driver though!
@Ivy St.,
Cuz in our little bubble in Nigerian, all was well. My private school never went bankrupt or had teach strikes. We always had light because we had a generator.
But you step out of the estate we lived in, and you’ll get the ugly truth. Nigeria has serious political unrest (see: 700 people that got killed last week in an ongoing inter-ethnic war) and a government so corrupt that it makes the U.S. Congress look like Dorothy Mantooth’s troops (a bunch of saints).
So that’s the short reason why the High Life over there was left. Will I return to LIVE there one day? Never say never but it ain’t looking good. But I will make sure my Future Mini Luvvies know their heritage, understand Yoruba and are proud to be Nigerian.
@Thuggie Luvvie,
co-signing all up and thru this
**while hoping my familial links to old gov’t don’t see me**
My family left right before the Coup in 1979. We went back for a visit in 1982 and were subject to all manner of B.S. B.S. that was etched into my 2 year old memory. It took my parents some 20 years before going back.
But I’m still so excited to go back and see people who haven’t seen me since I was a toddler/only seen pictures and never met me.
Its interesting because I kinda touched on this yesterday with the Ghettbougie chic description…….yeah there is a lot of classism among black folk and really amongst all races of people, just another one of those things that people use to divide and feel better than, when those things really don’t matter at all when it comes down it………
Good cool peoples are good cool peoples, I dont give a phcuk about pedigree, how new or old your cash is, if you live check to check etc…as long as you are good peoples and know how to conduct yourself in various environments with class and decorum..honey thats all that matters to me , I don’t really subscibe to the BS….
I grew up in the hood, NE DC off Florida Ave, moved to MD in the late 80′s, hated it, and back to SE ,Capitol Hill in the 90′s and now in a new very very nice Congress Heights condo development, I actually prefer the Southside, Soufeasssss, Souf Souf eassss LOL… but that never limited me or determined my worth, or dictated the level of class, style, and grace etc…. I have always carried myself in a reagal manner, cause I am Royalty regardless of my address or paycheck…
@OrangeStar616,
…let me find out you’re right ’round the corner from me! Heeeey *waving*
@Smiley Face, hhheeeeyyyyyyy!
@OrangeStar616,
Good cool peoples are good cool peoples, I dont give a phcuk about pedigree, how new or old your cash is, if you live check to check etc…as long as you are good peoples and know how to conduct yourself in various environments with class and decorum..honey thats all that matters to me , I don’t really subscibe to the BS….
It looks like the VSBs and VSSs are taking their vitamins these days!!!
Who am I ridin’ for? The side that gets my student loans paid off.
I keed.
I could write a tome-tastic dissertation about this, but I’m just gonna simply say:
What is the point of me getting to the top of the mountain, if I’m not bringing some with me and cutting a clear path for the people who will follow?
@BlackBerry Molasses,
“What is the point of me getting to the top of the mountain, if I’m not bringing some with me and cutting a clear path for the people who will follow? ”
Oh, yes! That BBMo speaketh the truth!
@BlackBerry Molasses,
when I moved to Phoenix, I worked for the electric company and my boss was one racist sonofarepublican. 9 times out of 10, he would talk to me “in jive”. You know that “hey bro” condesending way some 2520s talk to us, half mocking, half demeaning. And he tried like hell to get me fired. But I was union and that pissed him off that he couldn’t just give me the boot. He accused me of being racist LOL and the worst was the time he dared me to hit him. I wanted to beat.his.ass. But I needed that job, man and this dude’s bootleg Bull Connor tactics wasn’t gonna phase me.
But the main reason why I didn’t do it was because of something that this older sista up in the Payroll Department told me one day after she saw dude talking to me “in jive”. She smoothly walked up to me and said, “Remember, honey, many black people before you went through 1000x worse treatment and it didn’t stop them. Don’t let that old fool, stop you. God don’t like ugly.”
She was right. That old fool had to retire after two years after a case of the shingles almost killed him.
God don’t like ugly.
@T. Troy Stewart,
he had the shingles??? in 2009?? where was he from, transylvania?
@The Champ, naw back in the 20th Century, 1992 LOL
@The Champ,
umm… anyone who had Chicken Pox is at risk for shingles when they get older. Word to the varicella zoster virus.
@BlackBerry Molasses,
For real. My coworker had that recently. *puts up cross sign with fingers*
@BlackBerry Molasses,
See? Now on top of my worries of getting the Diabeetus & the hypertension, u add shingles to my list. What’s next? The Gout???
You are today’s medicinal dank blanket, coming with gifts of bad news about viruses and whatnots. Basically, you are the colonialists who gave the Natives those disease blankets. Thanks BBMO. HMPH
@BlackBerry Molasses,
Yep.
@She of oxymoronic handle,
you’re welcome and sh*t.
i do it for the peoples.
@BlackBerry Molasses, I’m surprised that more black folks don’t get 18th Century diseases like Scurvy and Ricketts because I seriously doubt that you get all the proper vitamins and minerals if the “healthiest” thing you’re putting in your body is Sunny D, Kool-Aid and/or Tampico Punch
@ T. Troy Stewart ,
Not the Tampico!!!!!
Pure. D. Nastiness.
actually… **dank medicinal blanket**
Ricketts is on the rise in the African American children specifically because of Vitamin D (not that one, stop it) deficient diets and children not going out to play in the sun.
Vitamin D is the agent that allows calcium to bind to bones and teeth, but sunlight is the engine for this chemical process.
Give your babies vitamins and let them play outside people!!
@BlackBerry Molasses,
That’s why I take my Flintstone Gummy Vitamins faithfully ERRDAY! I’m not ’bout that Rickets
@BlackBerry Molasses, this is so true. I never see kids playing outside anymore. I live in a neighborhood with plenty of kids, but the only time I see them is in the morning waiting for the school bus. And I rarely see any black kids at the park or the lake. What are our children doing in the house all the time?
*glances at entire thread convo*
This whole thing is giving me the heebie-jeebies. *shudder*
@N.I.A.,
PS3, Xbox360, Nintendo Wii (I love mine!) Hannah Montana, movies, music videos, living under rocks talmbout “The sun! It burnes usssss..”
@BlackBerry Molasses, in some of these neighborhoods I wouldn’t want my kid outside as much as the idiots rule the streets.
@BlackBerry Molasses,
“What is the point of me getting to the top of the mountain, if I’m not bringing some with me and cutting a clear path for the people who will follow?”
To THIS, I wanna sing that song in the scene in “Glory” where they sat around the campfire. Goes a lil something like this:
“Oh my Lord, Lord, Lord, Lord. Oh my Lord, Lord, Lord, Lord. MMHMMMMMM. MMHMMMMMMMM”
@Thuggie Luvvie,
*dying* @ “Oh my Lord, Lord, Lord, Lord. Oh my Lord, Lord, Lord, Lord. MMHMMMMMM. MMHMMMMMMMM”
@Thuggie Luvvie, HAHAHA
@Thuggie Luvvie, *dead*
Thuggie has been missed around these parts.
@pgh muse,
I’ve noticed as well. Good to see ya back, Thuggie Luv.
@BlackBerry Molasses,
What is the point of me getting to the top of the mountain, if I’m not bringing some with me and cutting a clear path for the people who will follow?
to have people to spit on. duh!!
@The Champ,
I know I’m fairly new here and don’t have all the privileges yet…but cho azz needs to go to the corner —>
@Smiley Face,
yes.
Champ. CORNER. NOW.
@BlackBerry Molasses @Smiley Face,
I’ll step in for Champ temporarily.
*insert phrase with ‘deez’ in it.*
@BlackBerry Molasses,
Let me tell u how this will play out.
Champ: “CORNER Deez”
Aif: “I did. It sucked”
Champ: “Suck Deez”
Aif: “No.”
@Thuggish Ruggish Luv,
you are correct ma’am. Where the h3ll is Aif Wondra anywayz…?
@Beez,
LMAO!!!!
I really wish one of these lil hoodlums walking around harlem would. I’ve been itchin to beat someone’s arse. I’m from the hood but working in corporate america doesnt afford me the same arse whoopin opportunities as the hood did. Please give me a reason. You got a gun? I have one too, licensed though. I actually kno how to shoot my sh!t too. So try me.
I just dont get the kids in harlem. Its mind boggling. They just walk around harlem all day long. why dont u try to get a job? play ball? do something. i dont think they realize they look stupid. I’m not a classist I guess. I’m an ageist. Old poor folk and me get right along. They’re polite and what not. These young folk is the ones i wanna fight.
@Peysonic Temple,
the youngins are a bit of a challenge here in DC, too, the level of ingnorance they like to play up almost, is astonishing, like its cool to be stupid, and disrespectful ….SMH, I think thats another discussion tho LOL
@Peysonic Temple,
they all need a*s whuppins…trying to be all cute and sh*t..they gon f*ck around and run up my light bill (c) D.L Hughley
@Peysonic Temple,
Trust me, it’s not just the kids in Harlem.
I got a few younger cousins that make we wanna reach out and touch them on the daily.
22 yrs old with two kids living at home withcha Mamma and wanna talk ish to me? Eff you mayne.
(true story BTW between me and one of my male cousins)
My Dad says it’s a generation gap situation. He’s probably right. You wouldn’t think 9 years would make a world of difference, but it truly does.
@miss t-lee, the thing is that i’m not much older than them. I’m 23 but I’m trying to make this money, I’m hustling, i’m grinding but what are you doing?
I can respect big time drug dealers cuz they tryin bigg things to change their situation but these lil dickheads who are nickel and diming skinny nickel bags (who buys these anymore?) of oregano @ hydro prices so they can get some J’s should GTFOHWTBS
Guess I’d say I’m middle class (not so much upper with the Huxtables). I’m comfortable enough to indulge in mindless little shopping sprees from time to time, but I still gotta worry about bills and keep a tight budget. I live a comfy life. But, I’m not at the point where I can walk around and say “That’s hot” and make a million bucks yet. Not yet.
I think as far as doing better than my parents, I’m on the right track. I bought a condo at the age of 24 (though, I benefitted in beaucoup ways since it was…and still is, a buyer’s market!) in a very nice southside Chicago neighborhood (Beverly/Morgan Park for you Chi-heads). It’s a neighborhood I knew all my life (my mom and dad bought that house when the married and when they divorced, he left it to her) and I always said I’d live there myself…one of these days Imma upgrade to one of them obnoxiously huge olden time houses when I’s married and whatnot.
I’m a good mix of knowing the finer thangs in life, but also knowing what it’s like to struggle. It’s weird to experience the classism in my own family, too. Fam members always burdening my mama because she’s more “well off” and they feel they’re entitled to “borrow” money from her all the time. What people fail to realize is that usually, the more money you have, the more bills you have. Naturally when someone has more money, they buy bigger things, thus more bills. It’s not like she’s swimming in gold coins a la Scrooge McDuck (Ducktales … whoooh-ooh!), but yeah she is able to buy something at Saks once in a while.
Overall, I hate this “divide and conquer” ish amongst our community. Every time you look up there’s a new way to divide us. Those who have straight hair; those who have curly hair. Those who are creamy crack fiends; those who go au naturale. Those who wear NeYo lipgloss; those who wear chapstick. Those who love Disney; those who are inhuman (
aye miss t-lee!). In the immortal (paraphrased) words of a then juicy jheri-curled Rodney King, “Can’t ninjas all just get along?”
@Cheekie, I concur and feel you on folk always wanting to borrow from your mom or just assuming we just got it like that…..LOL
@Cheekie,
those who are inhuman ( aye miss t-lee!).
*laughing loudly*
This is frustrating, because people are so uncomfortable being themselves. My parents are very wealthy, worth a few million, but my mother grew up in the Desire Projects (NOLA), and my dad grew up in Loisa, PR in a dayum tin shack! Both sides of my family are EXTREMELY HOOD! It was my families that raised me from the time of birth, until I was maybe 8 or 9 yrs old, so that my parents could achieve the success that they have today, if it were not for the sacrifices that THEY made, my parents would not be where they are today. Even after I went to live with my parents, they would send me home EVERY summer and EVERY Christmas, and take turns with the holidays to go to either NO, or PR. Yes there is a lot of bulshyt in the hood, like there is in any metropolitan area, but there is a LOT OF LOVE IN THE HOOD! From dog fights with my Uncle Charlie (r.i.p) to Sunday dresses, and lace socks.. Hair bows, to pickles and potato chips… Grown men on pink girly bicycles, to the hustle man with1 dolla soap, deodorant,coloring books, games,cleaning suppplies… the neighborhood crackheads, that make sure all the kids stay out of the street, the lady with the sweet shop in her house.. we had Ms. Laura.. she was bald Mon- thru Sat.. and on Sunday she wears a red afro wig! Call me “Boughetto” or what ever you want to call it.. My parents paid 12 grand a year from 3rd grade, until I graduated from high school so that I could recieve the benifits of that education, and then put me thru college… yes I did benifit, but Mary J. Blidge is a phuckin high school drop out, and she got wayyyyyyyyy mo money than I do…. I thank God for my parents, because they taught me to never forget what got me to where I am. I have a college degree, and will still roll a blunt… I still sneak snacks into the movies… I do all kind of “hood shyt”… I feel confident, I have etiquette, I am articulate, I have a beautiful home… If you think I’m “ghetto”.. if you think I’m “Bourgois”.. It dosen’t make me or break me.. I want to love and live MY life, not depriving myself of any pleasure that I see fit. Satus has never ment much to me…. If you want to stream-line me in to a catagory…. have it be the “strong and confident” vs “weak and self conscious”.. not “lower class” vs “upper crust”.. because to me that is the big differance between what really counts… and that is the HAPPY and CONTENT vs the MISERABLE and ENVIOUS
@Lanieanna, its great being well rounded isn’t it ?
@Lanieanna, Amen, Amen and AMEN!
@Lanieanna,
I thank God for my parents, because they taught me to never forget what got me to where I am. I have a college degree, and will still roll a blunt… I still sneak snacks into the movies… I do all kind of “hood shyt”…
how come when we do it, it’s “hood shyt” but when the rest of the world does this, it’s looked upon as “surviving”?
this recession has been amazing to watch from the standpoint that some folks in America that have never had to worry ’bout a thing are now right down here with the rest of us. You can’t go a day without seeing some “special report” on the news about “the soul of white folx” LOL.
About the family who had to move in with their parents and cousins and shyt. Really, why is this on the news, we all know folks who do that right now. Or the “proud” single white mother who has to use a WIC card to feed her kids. Oh, that’s The Grapes Of Wrath shyt now? Laquisha and dem are triflin’ but Beckey is “proud”.
You kiss my a$$ with that bullshyt.
I’m proud to be black because we some bad ass mofos when we want to be and are survivors for real
@T. Troy Stewart,
…..and your right! I was born a bad a$$ mofo! My mother and father instilled “bad a$$ mofo” in me from the day that I first saw the light.
Classism not a race thing… In the White community it is even worse than it is in the black community. We just are more expressive about it. I am the token (only) darkie at my job.. you should hear some of the things they say…..
@Lanieanna, oh I know exactly what they’re saying. I just wish they would say it more in e-mails so I can have proof.
@T. Troy Stewart, lol.
Get ‘em T. Troy!
@T. Troy Stewart,
TRUTH.
iheart you for this.
@T. Troy Stewart,
Yep. You’re right.
Showing news reports where folks(not Black) having to use coupons to shop for groceries, or buying bread at the day old bread store like it’s some new ish. Or using a crockpot to make a meal to stretch and feed 6 to 8 people.
I was like “Really?! This is news?”
I know plenty folks doing that type of stuff before the “recession”.
It’s called getting by.
@miss t-lee,
Okay! For real!! Whatchumean you don’t own a crockpit..fuggwrongwitchu?! o_O
@miss t-lee, “it’s called getting-by”
exactly!
@miss t-lee,
I love my crockpot and my crockpot loves me.
Them black eyed peas… yummo.
@T. Troy Stewart, I’m proud to be black because we some bad ass mofos when we want to be and are survivors for real
that just lifted me outta the funk in with a “i know das right!”
*back to the funk*
@Lanieanna, Good post. It makes me think of summer and how it’s winding down
…
@Lanieanna,
Wait sneakin snacks in the movies is hood?
Damn who knew?
Might wanna take these neckbones outta my purse.
And another thing, when the last time I been to the movies? YEARS
I’m the bootleg queeeen. Hood right? or is it Ghetto?<— that VSB post was good and funny
@AngelicNastyness, the image of you pulling some neckbones out the purse that the movies tickled me to no end. All that suckin’ and slurpin’ lol
@AngelicNastyness,
I’m the bootleg queeeen. Hood right? or is it Ghetto?
Definitely hood.
What u know about that GI Joe?
@BlackBerry Molasses,
LMAO. I remember when that Wolverine bootleg was leaked, and I watched some of it. I thought it was a comedy because that joint still had the stunt wire in there…wasn’t even digitally erased yet. LMFAO @ ninjas sometimes. How you gon’ sell that?!
@Cheekie,
Hahahaha! I had that one too. Never got around to getting a good copy
@AngelicNastyness,
I’m glad that in 2009… im not the only person still eating neck bones!…. We “burrl” them here in New Orleans like we do seafood….. You gotta try them if u ever visit my city!
@AngelicNastyness,
“Wait sneakin snacks in the movies is hood?”
LMAO…my fave cousin and I were notorious for that. We’d sneak in full meals of McDonalds, Harold’s Chicken, etc hiding it in our coats. I remember getting a bubble coat just for that purpose. 10 dollar popcorn? Please. *smacks mild sauce from chicken wangs off fingers* I’d be looking around at folks with their generic nachos like, “Yeah, I know you mad”. A MESS, we were (still are).
@Cheekie,
“Wait sneakin snacks in the movies is hood?”
I guess I’m hood all day.
I gots to have my flamin’ hot cheetos while I’m movie watching, they don’t sell ‘em at the theatre…lol
@Lanieanna,
you’re not shay_d_lady’s long lost twin, are you?
@The Champ,
)
… they say everyone has one!
@Lanieanna,
I feel confident, I have etiquette, I am articulate, I have a beautiful home… If you think I’m “ghetto”.. if you think I’m “Bourgois”.. It dosen’t make me or break me.. I want to love and live MY life, not depriving myself of any pleasure that I see fit. Satus has never ment much to me…. If you want to stream-line me in to a catagory…. have it be the “strong and confident” vs “weak and self conscious”.. not “lower class” vs “upper crust”.. because to me that is the big differance between what really counts… and that is the HAPPY and CONTENT vs the MISERABLE and ENVIOUS
AMEN!!!!!
I’ve already discussed my digust of ninjas like Bill Cosby, who come down from Mt. Negrolympus and start throwing lightning bolts at folks in the hood as if he’s somehow better than the average bear. Don’t get me started on that fool again…
The last thing that these folks need to hear is one more somebody telling them how funked up they are or how they ain’t gonna ever be this or be that because their pants are sagging and other affirmations of their shytty situation.
That beat has been played more times than Funky Drummer, it’s time for a new tactic.
and while we at it, can we stop giving money to these mega churches who claim to want to better for the hood but all you see is the pastor rolling in the nicest whips and wifey having Chinese women on retainer for their hair to be cut and glued directly to her scalp and their kid showing up on MTVs Sweet 16 (that last one is legit…one of the local mega church pastor’s kid was on there getting the hood diva treatment, ridiculous) and the hood still ain’t got a thing from them?
@T. Troy Stewart,
get out of my brain!
@T. Troy Stewart,
“I’ve already discussed my digust of ninjas like Bill Cosby, who come down from Mt. Negrolympus and start throwing lightning bolts at folks in the hood as if he’s somehow better than the average bear. Don’t get me started on that fool again…”
Yeah, don’t get me joining you either. *fuming*
And I quit you with the passion of a thousand splended suns for “Mt. Negrolympus”. If there was one, I picture Morgan Freeman* as Zeus. Naturally.
*Ew, ya’ll heard he plans to marry that stepdaughter of his?! EFF everyone’s life. *gag*
@Cheekie, Who we Eww’n at more, Morgan for being a dirty old man or that granddaughter for being the jump off for Miss Daisy’s driver?
@T. Troy Stewart,
I think equally forceful **dry heaves**
@BlackBerry Molasses,
Yes, equal opportunity dry heaves.
@Cheekie,
*Correction – I’m sorry..step-GRANDdaughter. Had to make the creepiness have its proper punch.
@Cheekie,
This is STILL nasty.
*retching*
@T. Troy Stewart,
OMG I LOVE YOU.
@BlackBerry Molasses,
I Love You, too.
If the President can say it, so can I.
If I could only get the reaction he does. I’m just waiting for somebody to throw their panties up on the podeum LOL
@T. Troy Stewart,
If someone throws panties at Prez Obama and he proceeds to pick them up and catches a quick whiff? America wins at being a country. We win all the wars by default, because there would be no doubt we had the best leader in the universe.
@Cheekie, that would be the coolest ish ever. I am mad that he had to be President during this mess (I guess we have to thank Dubya and Dick because had they not raped and pillaged this country to get paid, a black man wouldn’t have been able to win at all)
@Cheekie, Hahahaha! It would truly be the best if right after Barack picks up the panties, Michelle races across the stage about to whoop some a$$ to whichever female threw their draws at her man all the while shooting Barack the side eye of death
@pgh muse,
HAHAHA! Yeah, you KNOW Michelle would be having NONE of that. lol
@T. Troy Stewart,
“and while we at it, can we stop giving money to these mega churches who claim to want to better for the hood but all you see is the pastor rolling in the nicest whips and wifey having Chinese women on retainer for their hair to be cut and glued directly to her scalp and their kid showing up on MTVs Sweet 16 (that last one is legit…one of the local mega church pastor’s kid was on there getting the hood diva treatment, ridiculous) and the hood still ain’t got a thing from them?”
You’re speaking to my heart right here! I attend Ambassador Baptist Church (Good Hope & Minn Ave)..ain’t but 30 or 40 of us, but my church has been around for a minute (40 +years). My pastor is 80 and ain’t got nan car b/c he spends all of his retirement funds on the church. On Saturdays we have a food bank and you’ll see people wrapped around the block trying to feed their families. We have a Christian School where none of the parents pay b/c we help them get vouchers to send their kids to ‘private school’. We have a CRF, which acts like a half way house for patients leaving St Elizabeth..as small as we are we make a difference.
@Smiley Face, what’s your church address, I will send that pastor some money for bus tokens or something…that’s what I’m talking about.
Me and The Little Woman went to this church that was renting space up in an elementary school auditorium. Just to show some love, you know? Why these fools have ushers passing out brochures talking about “their plans for the church” that included “building a television studio”, “purchasing a jet” and “building a church on 40 acres of land” (My guess was to symbolize those slaves that didn’t get their reparations)
I walked right out of there and never went back.
@T. Troy Stewart,
A jet?!
Oh hecky naw. Let my pastor come up in the pulpit on some ish like that and I’m out.
@T. Troy Stewart,
a television studio…da hell for? o_O
The Ambassador Baptist Church
c/o Rev R. Settles or Rev. W. Thompson
1412 Minnesota Ave S.E
Washington, DC 20020
…you think I’m playin.? lol
@Smiley Face, miss t-lee,
my only regret is that I ripped up the church brochure in the parking lot and didn’t keep it so I could blast that trash all over the ‘net. The minister and his wife were a bootleg Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker with a S-Curl and a Lee Press On set.
@T. Troy Stewart ,
“The minister and his wife were a bootleg Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker with a S-Curl and a Lee Press On set.”
Say no more…lmao!!!
* I just wanna know where she found some Lee Press-On nails in 2009.
@T. Troy Stewart,
O_o @ a jet!
Who is he, John Travolta? He needs to sit himself way the hell down.
SMH @ some folks…
Wow.
@Cheekie, please don’t mention Jet and John Revolta in the same sentence…I still want to call the cops in to investigate how that boy “perished”
T. Troy Stewart,
Oh, SNAP! I didnt’ even think about this. i was talm ’bout his love for planes (which of course, had something to do with naming his son…SMH)
And yeah, I feel ya on that investigation. The way his “group” disregarded his autism made me HEATED. But that’s another topic…
@T. Troy Stewart, Mt. Negrolympus!! *passes out*
This is frustrating, because people are so uncomfortable being themselves. My parents are very wealthy, worth a few million, but my mother grew up in the Desire Projects (NOLA), and my dad grew up in Loisa, PR in a dayum tin shack! Both sides of my family are EXTREMELY HOOD! It was my families that raised me from the time of birth, until I was maybe 8 or 9 yrs old, so that my parents could achieve the success that they have today, if it were not for the sacrifices that THEY made, my parents would not be where they are today. Even after I went to live with my parents, they would send me home EVERY summer and EVERY Christmas, and take turns with the holidays to go to either NO, or PR. Yes there is a lot of bulshyt in the hood, like there is in any metropolitan area, but there is a LOT OF LOVE IN THE HOOD! From dog fights with my Uncle Charlie (r.i.p) to Sunday dresses, and lace socks.. Hair bows, to pickles and potato chips… Grown men on pink girly bicycles, to the hustle man with1 dolla soap, deodorant,coloring books, games,cleaning suppplies… the neighborhood crackheads, that make sure all the kids stay out of the street, the lady with the sweet shop in her house.. we had Ms. Laura.. she was bald Mon- thru Sat.. and on Sunday she wears a red afro wig! Call me “Boughetto” or what ever you want to call it.. My parents paid 12 grand a year from 3rd grade, until I graduated from high school so that I could recieve the benifits of that education, and then put me thru college… yes I did benifit, but Mary J. Blidge is a phuckin high school drop out, and she got wayyyyyyyyy mo money than I do…. I thank God for my parents, because they taught me to never forget what got me to where I am. I have a college degree, and will still roll a blunt… I still sneak snacks into the movies… I do all kind of “hood shyt”… I feel confident, I have etiquette, I am articulate, I have a beautiful home… If you think I’m “ghetto”.. if you think I’m “Bourgois”.. It dosen’t make me or break me.. I want to love and live MY life, not depriving myself of any pleasure that I see fit. Satus has never ment much to me…. If you want to stream-line me in to a catagory…. have it be the “strong and confident” vs “weak and self conscious”.. not “lower class” vs “upper crust”.. because to me that is the big differance between what really counts… and that is the HAPPY and CONTENT vs the MISERABLE and ENVIOUS
@Lanieanna, ………
Oh, and P.S. to the ambitious… “Ain’t nuthin to it, but to do it!” If you want something…. go get it…. It is as simple as that! Every thing that has been built.. has a foundation.
Economically speaking I am on the low side of things. However I don’t consider myself in any type of “class war.” What are we fighting about?
At one time low income, minimal education and poor diction were synonymous with being black in America. I’ve been scrutinized by “the officials” (the keepers of negritude) myself for lack of nail tips and not using “n!99@.” But I think the time has come for us (black people) to stop limiting ourselves. There is no one way to be black. Not living in a certain area or dressing/speaking/acting a certain way doesn’t lessen the amount of pigment in your skin.
I get the impression that classism is much more prevalent at HBCUs than at PWI. Can anyone elaborate?
Finally, it’s my observation that blacks (everywhere) will always divide themselves in the absence of an oppressive dominant culture. It may have something to do with wanting to be unique. At my university we we stood united on black/white issues but when it was just us everyone was reppin’ their state. I’ve sat with Africans who jumped on me about US Visa policies in their country (US vs. Ghana for ex.) and in the same breath listened to them talk about the differences (usually negative) between their ethnicities (Fulani vs. Nga, etc.) Blame it of the Treaty of Berlin, I don’t know. But it seems that we divide ourselves no matter what.
**off-topic**
What do you think of my screen name? Too much?
@Queen X (aka Ms Hall/Ms PI) working on a screen name y’all,
You not diggin’ Ms Hall no more?
And as “Queen X”, I picture you rocking Queen Latifah’s kente crown back in the day with a big Malcolm X-style “X’ emblazoned in the middle.
@Queen X (aka Ms Hall/Ms PI) working on a screen name y’all,
I get the impression that classism is much more prevalent at HBCUs than at PWI. Can anyone elaborate?
im interested to hear this as well.
btw, what was wrong with “ms. hall”?
@Queen X (aka Ms Hall/Ms PI) working on a screen name y’all,
You should call yourself Lady Hallway since my last name is Hall also
@The Hallway,
Since the “7/3 post” I’ve been trying to get creative and think of a new screen name. I guess I’m just boring.
But really, can someone talk about the classism at HBCUs? I always felt like I missed out on something good by going to a PWI. Maybe this is not the case.
@Ms. Hall,
I can only speak for Hampton, lol…..all the kids with the brand new jeeps, the Lex, Coups, the Beamers and the Benz (c) Lost Boyz kept themselves separate from ‘the regular/ hood’ folk like me, lol. Didn’t make me no never mind though besides wanting to slap a few…those that forgot they were black like me. One girl threw a hissy fit first day freshman year because she was put in Virginia Cleveland with ‘them’ instead of Kennedy…she didn’t last too long in VC.
Still though I wouldn’t trade it and would go back all over again.
@Smiley Face,
well maybe I shouldn’t say separate b/c there was definitely some
chexin,mingling going on.“from the days of field vs house slaves to the outgoing conflict between northern and southern blacks, we have a rich history of finding creative ways to separate ourselves from each other. when you add our hair and complexion issues, you can even argue that no other culture has as many different ways to create hierachy as we do”
Omg PREACH! This is exactly why we can’t get anywhere as a entire race just only as individuals. Slave mentality is still so prevalent that it slaps me in the face daily. You don’t know how many times I been teased for “talking/acting white” while being simulataneously criticized for “being too black/having natural hair.” This contradictory thinking along with other issues has been the holding our race back substantially. We are the most self-hating race in the world. I’m sure we would be the most powerful/influential group of people if we only managed to escape this “crabs in a barrel” mentality.
@Blue Skyez,
“We are the most self-hating race in the world. ”
No. That would be white people. Trust. lol.
Seriously, our issues with skin color, hair texture, etc. were created…and then they grew over the time into the monster we can’t escape.
@V.E.G.,
“No. That would be white people. Trust. lol.”
*fist up*
@V.E.G.,
“No. That would be white people. Trust. lol.”
You ain’t neva lied.
It’s the reason why they are trying their darnest to make US that with their euro-centric ish and “divide and conquer” practices.
Besides, if cancering up your skin in a tanning bed to end up looking like a glass of Tang doesn’t equal self-hate, I’ont know what does.
@Cheekie,
“Besides, if cancering up your skin in a tanning bed to end up looking like a glass of Tang doesn’t equal self-hate, I’ont know what does.’
i am not a fan of how my shirt looks with sorrel drink splattered on it! and i just got it out the cleaners too!! LOL
@Smiley Face,
u drankin sorrel?
iHateU
@BlackBerry Molasses,
homemade too….mmmmm…mmmm
@Cheekie,
Let’s not forget siliconing/restalyning/collagening your lips until they resemble daisy duck.
Not. cute. at. all.
@miss t-lee,
The booty padding too. lol
@ Cheekie ,
How could I forget that?
@V.E.G.,
You are soooo right…. I commented in a post up there about classism with whyte folks…. If one of my cousins were to marry a YT woman… we may talk about his a$$ a little, be we are not going to ex-communicate his behind… My office manager does not deal with her sister, because she had a child out of wedlock, and she calls her “trash”… her own sister…. and its crazy, because she has 1 brother and one sister, and they all have differnt fathers… so I gues that would make her mother “landfill trash”… I am around southern 2520′s all day… they darken their skin, color their hair…. god forbid you see a 2520 with curly hair… they consider that shyt a curse! lol!…
@V.E.G.,
co-sign! i’m still amazed at black people who are amazed at white people’s brutality. c’mon now, the white trials, the greeks, the french revolution….ahh duh! if they do that to there own, why wouldn’t they do worse to us?
@V.E.G.,
“No. That would be white people. Trust. lol.”
Hmmm interesting. I don’t see how, but if you could explain more…
@Blue Skyez,
Is thinking that black folks are the world’s “most self-hating race” an example of self hate?
I think so.
I wrote a post recently at my blog about folks who get accused of acting white.
Good question!!! I really don’t know where I belong?? My upbringing was so strange. My mom was born and raised in Barry Farms (for the non-DC folks THE FARMS is a housing development in the heart of Anacostia) but she was a bit of a nerd so she never really participated in the ghetto-games around her yet she IS ghetto LOL. She went to college & worked yet she wont leave SE. We weren’t raised in THE FARMS but we also weren’t raised in the best part of SE either. My pops was from middle class fam in Chicago. He was military so we moved around a bit and we were exposed to different cultures but eventually when my parents split we ended up back in SE with Mommy.
My parents were big on exploring various cultures so we were always outside of SE & Chicago (where Pops lives) doing something different. As an adult I dont know WHERE I belong. I claim SE as my “hood” but I also feel so far beyond that. I dont consider myself in any class because I can & do function wherever. I have noticed though the older I get the less tolerant I become of BS in any class of people. I hate ignorance on any level. This is a good thought provoking topic for me because I get irritated when people act too ghetto & yet I get irritated when other people act like they are superior to other people.
I also feel like a bit of a hypocrite because as much as I walk around and claim to be this inner city chic that can roam through any “HOOD” when it comes to my kids I am so protective. I put a lot of thought and effort into where we live, shop, eat, their educations, their friends, etc. I watch them and they are definitely NOT “hood” or lower class. They eat out and order sea urchin at sushi restaurants, insist that I only buy organic pancake mix w/real maple syrup & get mad if I dont recycle!!
So I just don’t know where I’d put myself LOL.
@Yaa,
you’re in the ‘know better, do better’ class and ain’t nothin wrong with that…welcome *smile*
@Yaa, my mother exposed to me to alot ,as far the arts and diff cultures, events, functions, people……..my fam both sides are from the southren most part of VA, and followed my Granma to DC kinda like the movie Lackakwanna Blues, in the early seventies hence I was the first born here in DC.
My friend Dre’s mom, very classy elegant lady has also lived in SE all her life…so all kinds are found in SE not just the poorest most ignorant, and more folk need to know that.
@Yaa,
So I just don’t know where I’d put myself LOL.
i have an idea
@The Champ, I am not sure if I should be offended or aroused?!?! LMAO!
@The Champ,
you ‘sposed to be in da corner!
@Smiley Face,
We let Champ out the corner cuz he said he was gon bring us back some food but he aint been back. He’s a runaway.He went Araminta (aka Harriet T) on us!
@Thuggie Luvvie,
it was the smile and ‘pretty please’ wasn’t it?
@Smiley Face,
It’s just like Champ to say even MORE corner-worthy things WHILST sitting in the corner.
@Yaa, “I also feel like a bit of a hypocrite because as much as I walk around and claim to be this inner city chic that can roam through any “HOOD” when it comes to my kids I am so protective. ”
I hear people say this all the time but eff all that . . . I will walk around MY hood . . . I have no business in any other hood . . .luckily DC has good food spots right here in NW.
@Yaa,
i feel the same way about my upbringing. thats why i know this crock of class boosheet, is just that. race and sometimes class, is just too broad to define and people are too diverse to label and put in boxs, and we fail as humans when we try.
@Dante
I wore thong sandals in the summer, generally with jeans. At the mocking of everyone I started to wear socks with a pair of Nike Slip-On sandals. I still think it looks ridiculous, and I’d never rock that look (slip-on sandals, socks, basketball shorts, black wifebeater) ever again.
@InvisibleManNakedCity,
(slip-on sandals, socks, basketball shorts, black wifebeater)
this look is coined “the college booty call”
@The Champ,
“this look is coined “the college booty call””
*reminiscing*
@The Champ, oh yeah….I remember those BBshort and black wife beater clad sock and slip on shower shoe wearing visitors….those were the good ol days
I guess I’m hood because I drink Nehi pop and eat hot crunchy curls
@The Hallway,
who doesnt love hood h’orderves and sh*t?
@The Champ,
I wish someone WOULD shove a plate of Flamin’ Hots in front of me and say, “h’orderves, Miss?”. I would cackle to the death, I’m sure of it.
@Cheekie,
But Cheekie you must get them drench in a cheese sauce, which is probably not 100% cheese with hot peppers.
Accompanied with a pickle, fruiteys, and a refresh $1 Icey made with five different flavors
This is the main course of the day,
death in a snack.
Then later that day you will dye your hair wth red koolaid. Hood 103
@The Hallway,
LMFAO, you just summed up Chicago right there. Like, if I were to make a documentary about Chi City, I’d just take a picture of this comment and its image would be the entire film.
@The Hallway,
Grape Nehi….oooo whatchutalkn!
@Smiley Face,
Yes!!!!
Unfortunately it’s real hard to find down this way.
Which side am I on?
At one time, this is how my typical week went:
Day 1: Ride down to my boy’s house on 15th… drink yak straight out the bottle while listening to music, freestyling, and getting on the game… end up a the hoodest club later where the smoke rubs the cologne out ya clothes and you’re liable to see at least one dude in the spot with an all red dickie suit on…
Day 2: Go down to the bar after work with my 2520 co-workers… have beers/drinks and talk about the band they’re trying to start along with other randomness
Day 3: Go to Barnes & Noble and get lost in biographies, news mags, and the one book shelf for african-american books that, ironically, is next to the ghey & lesbo section…
Day 4: Take random chick to the movies… have her bring “the big purse,” sneak snacks and a flask in…
Day 5: Take my degree-having arse to 1st Friday’s… get a table with my boys… divide time between taking shots, talking politics/relationships, cracking jokes on call center employees, and holla’in at call center employees…
So which side am I on?
I encourage my boy on 15th to go back to school… maybe try to walk-on and play ball somewhere since he has talent…
I don’t water myself down amongst my 2520 friends… if one of them cracks an unnecessary racial joke, I let them know it’s inappropriate… and at the end of the day we just have fun…
Maybe one day I’ll ask someone in charge at the bookstore if they plan on expanding the African-American section…
I sneak snacks and drank into the movies, but I have enough sense and home training to not talk loud and disturb other people trying to enjoy the movie like I am…
I enjoy myself at 1st Fridays while realizing one of those call center employees may possibly make more money than me, and at the end of the day, who am I to judge?
I stay true to myself… remember where I came from… keep myself open to trying new things… and always remember to encourage others and give back.
I’m on the side that’s for the greater good.
@SouthernCharm,
i dig the list as whole…but no loud talking at the movies?
why my dear good sir, your missing the best thing ever!
shhiiii…..i was a 2520 would tell me to be quiet. and that’s where i go, to the 2520 movies cause i can’t even hear myslef talkin over everybody else at the movies round the way.
@SouthernCharm,
Wow. It’s like they have sprinkled Smartness all over y’all’s breakfast this morning.
Brilliant!
My experience in life has taught me that i have no choice but to ride for the oppressed. and that has to be no more than ever the lower class, our with backwards priorities and the media’s obbession with us. I’ve lived in west baltimore my whole young life, seen alot of things, and learned alot about black people, especially the poor ones, and i wouldn’t count us out yet. i still believe in revolution, and i think it’ll start right in the hood.
Random but any VSSs in Chicago, we’re having a lil brunch on Sunday. Goodeness is gon be in town and she has requested it lol. Interested in coming? Hit me up in email Luvvieblog@gmail.com.
@Thuggie Luvvie,
*pouting because I’m not in Chi-Town*
Can i phone in on brunch or sumfin?
I think I’m somewhere between the “can’t we all just get along” side and the “conspiracy theorist, anti-establishment radical” side. A world in perfect peace and harmony works for me but there’s too much ish from the powers that be to make it that way and there is a reason that we aren’t and have never been that way….
Might be an age thing or might be because I’m such a mix of everything that there is no way for me to choose. I mean…
-am I a young person (19.5 yrs.) who like other young people live in an age of instant gratification and expect to get nothing for something OR am I a young person that believes the world just might cease to exist once my generation (and the ones to follow) come(s) to power cause there arent enough of us willing to work hard and help out?
-am I a black beacuse it is what I am OR am I black because there’s no box for Jamaican, Bajan (Barbadian), German, and American Indian…?
-am I a well-to-do black person that only identifies with others that live in a gated comunity (that my parents not I own and pay for) OR do i identify with the problems of the poor which are indeed the problems of my own grandparents…
The moral is if i started choosing sides, i’d end up alienating myself. So instead of black or white I make the choice between right and wrong. Live my life to fullest all the while keeping my nose clean and the people that matter happy.
((sorry for the absence – work life in comparison to school life leaves little time to comment))
wow…the comments today are really awesome. Great post Champ!!!
as for me, i think i walk both lines very well. unlike a lot of you, i was born and raised in the rural south(actually, i was born in Baton Rouge, but I was raised in rural SC). In fact, I was raised in a town near Dillon, SC, and all I could do was nod in agreement and SMH when the POTUS talked about the little girl from Dillon. So my “hood” consists of tobacco and cotton, one stop light, and a school system that does nothing to foster cultural awareness outside of the county. My parents are considered upper middle class b/c we lived in the big house on the street, amd my parents were one of the few married parents who were educated and not working in one of the plants.
I’m a graduate of Spelman College, which is looked down on by some black folks as being “bougie”, then looked down by other black folks b/c it’s an HBCU. I spent a year at Stanford where I rarely hung out with the “black at Stanford” crowd, only to have some of them question my blackness and insult HBCUs all at the same time.
Now, like a lot of you, I can go out for drinks with my 2520 co-workers, hit up a first friday event, head out to an african art show, and sneak cheetos and a bottle of coke filled with about a third of jack in to see The Hangover all in the same week. In the past 3 years, I’ve lived in a black/mexican neighborhood where people were loud, and men just seemed to hang around on the street all day, and now I live in a gated community. However, I mentor girls from my old neighborhood twice a week.
Personally, I like a little of both worlds. In the end, Imma do me, and try to help others who want pull themselves up by their bootstraps, but who just need a little boost.
Sorry I didn’t realized anyone replied to my comment til now. But um yeah I see you guys already looked strain theory up. It was my fav theory to debate in college and I think it makes a hell of a lotta sense.
I appreciate this post! Classism is a beast but I think it’s especially hurtful in communities of color because we are socialized to think negatively of ourselves anyway. When you’re poor and of color, you’re viewed negatively on 2 points by society, one of which you can’t change. When you’re wealthy and of color you have money but you’re still of color so you’re constantly trying to assure others that you’re better than or not like other people of color.
Not to pump my Master’s thesis, and the upcoming dissertation, but (begins pumping) this is the sort of stuff I focus on. The performance of blackness–which to perform your race is a sham anyway–is almost always attached to performing a lower economic class. When we call someone a wannabe or an oreo, it’s not whiteness the black person is reflecting, but the performance of wealth. So I eschew any decision to define myself using any of the assessments of class or race we commonly use. I do some redneck stuff–I go out to the Blue Ridge Mtns and shoot shit–and I do some bourgie stuff, like only drinking French champagne.
For anyone who’s interested in my work, you can google Natasha Nicole Walker and it’s the first thing to come up.
what am I reppin for?
I rep for the people in the hood, who had no expectations to exceed and didnt let that stop them
For people who realize that it aint always as easy as it seems to get out but it is possible with a little help and determination
I rep for those that recognize the importance of getting ahead and opening doors so people can follow behind you, not walking through the doors and slamming them shut
I rep for people with drive, a social conscience, who speak out against injustice and aren’t afraid to put some walk with that talk, who do more than sit and wax philosophical about it,
I rep for those who are proud of their accomplishments but does not allow their pride to separate them from their race and beginnings, who acknowledge that their accomplishments make them better, not better than
I rep for being real, for being me, and trying to make the world a better place for my child, starting with the man in the mirror.
RIP Mike
MJ quotations already?
sneakin full meals into the movies is something that is a must…Zaxby’s or Publix on deck when I go to the movies….
I knew it! The one day I’m unavailable and all hell breaks loose
I’m a member of the middle class.
God bless all of you who volunteer and pay it forward.
This recession has made me much more aware of class differences. Soon, I will marry a white cardiologist and have bi-racial children. I compromised on the race of my partner in order to climb faster (socially speaking).
I hope that I do not regret the decision.
I was/am the suburbanite who was never “black enough” due to enunciated English, and the fact that my dad registers as “other” (not that Cubans don’t have African in them…smh).
I think my biggest pet peeve is how people now will say stuff like “because you have one drop of black in you, it makes you black”, and then contradict themselves by saying “oh, so today you’re black and not Cuban” (I’m highly into black empowerment issues, and people still want to talk mess). Like wtf? Am I allowed to rep all of my ethnicities without being called a sell out, or not being *black/latino* enough?
@ chaoticdiva: I was/am the suburbanite who was never “black enough” due to enunciated English, and the fact that my dad registers as “other” (not that Cubans don’t have African in them…smh)
i could relate to that in a way. i’m from guyana which is run predominantly by coolie ppl (east indians). my dad is coolie and my mom is black. it was confusing growing up but i definitely rep for my blk brothas and sistas. it’s like once u ain’t coolie then u blk. they like to class themselves with white ppl. and the funny thing is, white ppl call them blk cuz they feel once u ain’t white, u blk.
in this country if your hair ain’t straight enough and if u ain’t coolie then u ain’t getting nowhere in a hurry. i’ve seen blk persons who were more than qualified for jobs but got rejected for some str8 hair emptied-headed coolie gurl who can’t do sh*t…so it’s everywhere.
but back to my blk ppl. its hard to separate the good from the bad. i do get riled up whenever a blk person is called out for some sh*t or someone makes a racist comment but we gotta admit that sometimes they do some really messed up things that there’s just no excusing. but for every bad apple, there are those who genuinely mean well. they are given opportunities but as soon as the “higher ups” see your address or hear your last name…that’s it…interview terminated. its frustrating and could lead otherwise good ppl to do some really bad things cuz they just can’t catch a break. does it make it right? no but sometimes u gotta hear them out. then u got those “don’t fit a sh*t” blk ppl who always day dreaming about the good life, fancy cars, expensive clothes…and don’t mean to lift a finger to get what they want but resort to “other means” to get it. those are the ones that piss me off.
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