Oh, awards season... you give me so much to talk about. For once,I am not talking about something that someone was wearing, but instead I am typing about the now infamous Tweet that made the interwebs scream with justifiable outrage last night. If you missed it (where have you been?!) a parody newspaper- that will remain unnamed because I am not giving them any free press on this blog- called a 9 year old, Black actress a cunt.
Now, I know what parody and satire are, I use these instruments in my every day life. I use them well... against people who deserve it. I also know what Freedom of Speech is. I often defend the right for people to say what is on their mind... and my right to make them pay for it through tears they will shed when I prove them wrong. Calling a 9 year old a cunt is not parody or satire. It wasn't a joke. It wasn't funny. Does this "newspaper" have the right to say it? Yes, but then we, as the public, have the right to make them regret the choice of posting it on social media. I gladly take part in making them regret that choice.
I am angry. I am angry because there are people who have actually typed "that is just how this 'newspaper' is." That does not excuse the behavior. There are people who deny the racial aspect of this tweet... and believe me, there IS a racial aspect to this tweet, namely that this "newspaper" has never used this vile description for a young white female who was nominated for an Oscar. There has been plenty of opportunity for that to happen, considering there have been scores of young, white women who have attended the Oscars and have been nominated for awards. So many more opportunities for this kind of thing to happen to Dakota Fanning, or her sister Elle, or anyone that looks like them.
Most of all, I am angry with Black people who seem to have no outrage for this behavior. I don't care who it is- no one, no publication, no politician, no RAPPER has the right to attack our children. Ever. That little girl got nominated for her work, got dressed up and went to an awards ceremony. That does not make her available for being called anything but her name (which I cannot pronounce). Going to get praised for work that you have done, especially as a child, SHOULD NOT open you up for name calling. I don't care if it was intended as a joke. There is not one thing that a 9 year old can do that would be a justification for calling her a cunt. Truthfully, there are a limited amount of things any woman could do that would warrant calling a GROWN woman a cunt. I am angry with Black people because about a year ago, everyone was so upset because of an unprovoked shooting of a Florida teen. Oh, there were marches and fantastic speeches and facebook petitions. Yet, here you can see the disgrace; you can see the beginning of the depravity. THIS is when there should be protests, letting people know that Black children cannot be abused in the "media". The protests cannot be saved for when they are shooting children down in the street because then it is TOO LATE. We should not be complacent about this "newspaper" calling this unsuspecting girl a cunt, a rapper calling women hoes and bitches (and our children constantly repeating these ideas), a man hitting a woman, a woman hitting a man, or ANYONE, under ANY circumstance, using whatever position they have to make others feel bad about themselves. This is NOT ok and what we put up with now is what will be used to destroy us later. You want to complain to me about how Black History Month is in the shortest month of the year, yet you don't want to defend a little girl who is being attacked by a media outlet? You want to tell me about the plight of Black men and how they are an endangered species in America and there should be outrage for you... yet, you are ok with this little girl getting lambasted and called out of her name? Where are the fathers? Where are the protectors? Where is the outrage for her? Can you NOT see that if we let this go, someone will do it again and think it is ok? That this could be the beginning of a downward spiral?
And just so everyone is clear: Freedom of Speech is real and I believe in it. I also believe in consequences and paying for what you have done. Those are not separate ideals. If you put something out there, be prepared to reap the anguish or the benefits. Hopefully this "media outlet" suffers some firings and reorganizations for this monumental mishap.
Monday, February 25, 2013
To Be Young, Black and Female
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Eat, Drink and Be... Married.
Holy shit, this has been a crazy week. Not only have Lefty and I been working six days a week for what seems like an eternity, Valentine's Day was Thursday and we got engaged. What?!?!?! Read that last part again!! :-) We got engaged. I am not generally one for surprises and Lefty knows that, so how he pulled this off... I am still baffled.
We decided to have a day date- because we work the night shift at a local manufacturing plant and we had to work Thursday night. He came to my house at 12:30 for a surprise and lunch. He was bearing gifts. I am not one for flowers all the time, but I do LOVE candy. He had this in hand:
We decided to have a day date- because we work the night shift at a local manufacturing plant and we had to work Thursday night. He came to my house at 12:30 for a surprise and lunch. He was bearing gifts. I am not one for flowers all the time, but I do LOVE candy. He had this in hand:
There was THE sweetest card I have EVER received and a bouquet of sorts...
That would be a bouquet of Fruit Gushers. Does this man know me, or does he know me? I guess I should have known that something was up when I noticed that Lefty was wearing a tie (he never does that), though I did quickly realize where we were headed... because said tie had books on it.
One of the first dates that we had was at the Columbus Metropolitan Library. I took him. We are book nerds. Seriously. The history section of the library gives us life. I'm not kidding. Lefty was a history major during his Buckeye years, and history was one of my majors when I was partying it up in Oxford, Ohio so when I say that we can devour stories of the past, know that it is not an exaggeration. Also the Main Library opened in 1907... more history. I was so excited as we pulled up to the library- whatever, I attribute my giddiness to book dust (or something!) :) But seriously, how can you drive up to this building and NOT be excited?!?!?!
Amazing, right?
We walked around for about 45 minutes. History section, of course. After about 45 minutes I was getting hungry (Note: I am an eater. I like food. Real food. Not a salad orderer at restaurants!!) Me: "ok, babe- you ready to go eat?" Him: "yep!" I checked out a book and started to head for the side door.
The Main Library has been revamped since the last time I lived in Columbus, so before we left, Lefty asked if I had seen the front entry way since I'd moved back. I hadn't, so we headed up the marble stairs (right inside the front doors) to check out the second level where there is an art gallery and the administrative offices. We checked out the small art gallery, the flowers that are carved into the ceiling and the beautiful stained glass windows (you can't tell but they are the semi-circles in the picture). I was so busy looking around at this wonderfully quiet, beautiful place with the sunshine shining on me through these amazing stained glass windows that I didn't even notice that Lefty was on one knee!
Me: "What are you doing? Oh..."
Him: "You make my life incredible. I can't imagine being without you. [Insert my FULL name] will you marry me?"
He then told me to check my text messages. While we were in the gallery he text messaged me this:
Yeah- we are scrabble nerds also. Ha!! How sweet is that?!
Oh yes, it was amazing. AMAZING. Short, sweet and freaking amazing!! I said yes... we went to lunch (yay!!) and then to work (boo!)
As for the ring: he did a fabulous job. I am not really a diamond kinda girl and I don't want something that everyone else has. PLUS, I have a job where wearing jewelry is sometimes problematic. Well, he got my ring in Paris... so I doubt that women will be running around with the same ring on :) I love it and the wedding bands (diamonds) that will go with it will fit around its curves.
All in all... Thursday was about the BEST day EVER (minus the working part). It was perfect for me; for us. Lefty has made me an amazingly lucky, loved, respected, hot, Black and bitter woman. You can't see me right now, but I am totally smiling- and have been since we met.
Labels:
A Modern Love Story,
Columbus Metropolitan Library,
Lefty,
love,
marriage,
proposal,
rings,
wedding
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
New Running Shoes
Hola! Or something like that :)
Just dropping in for a short update on the running schedule for 2013. A couple of weeks ago... I got these sweet babies!!
Now, I have to say- this is not going to turn into a running blog (I don't think), but these are truly the best fitting running shoes I have ever had. I went to Fleet Feet Columbus where the (very) tall guy that was helping me started out by asking what I was looking for. I had no idea. He asked me what I did for work; if I had any aches and pains (I have lots); and he measured my feet- several times. He also got me on a treadmill so he could record me running (gasp!) He brought out three pairs of shoes for my (wide) feet and the above is what I left with. Amazing fit. They STILL feel so good when I out them on... which helps me actually want to put them on and run. Win win. I have never run in Saucony, so this is going to be an adventure!
When I need another pair of running shoes, I will be heading back to Fleet Feet and if you have one in your town, check them out!
Now, I have to say- this is not going to turn into a running blog (I don't think), but these are truly the best fitting running shoes I have ever had. I went to Fleet Feet Columbus where the (very) tall guy that was helping me started out by asking what I was looking for. I had no idea. He asked me what I did for work; if I had any aches and pains (I have lots); and he measured my feet- several times. He also got me on a treadmill so he could record me running (gasp!) He brought out three pairs of shoes for my (wide) feet and the above is what I left with. Amazing fit. They STILL feel so good when I out them on... which helps me actually want to put them on and run. Win win. I have never run in Saucony, so this is going to be an adventure!
When I need another pair of running shoes, I will be heading back to Fleet Feet and if you have one in your town, check them out!
Tuesday, February 05, 2013
Bill Cosby and Black People
This is from a few years ago, but I love him. Truth hurts and he is telling it. The Revolution is in your house!!
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