music: MY FAVORITE SONG OF THE YEAR ---> "The Widow (I'll Never Sleep Alone)" by Mars Volta
This is going to be a long post, but there’s a reason for this – I AM NOT BLOGGING FOR THE FIRST TWO WEEKS OF JANUARY. I might articles that are coming out, but for the most part I will return Monday, January 16th. Do not fret because I will be back ....
If you received an email you hit the TOP 25 OF 2005 … but first a lil’ reflection on 2005 …
2005 is a year where people learned NOTHING. Countless deaths in a Tsunami only proved that rich celebrities can sing a jingle and get incoherent Americans to donate money to corporations (Red Cross, FEMA, etc.) that have more scandals than R. Pissy with a 14 year-old girl and bladder full of Molt Liquor 45 urine.
I got a tear in my left eye over the Tsunami tragedy, but I mainly felt emotional over the residuals of those nameless, faceless poor people who would endure increased suffering. Isn’t it funny that people in a “third world” country seem to be surviving a catastrophic disaster better than people in a famous American city like New Orleans? Many of their communities were rebuilt in months – or at least made livable. Most of New Orleans, especially the black section, is completely unlivable and it’s been four months!
Suffering poor people is no longer front page news. The media only exposes but so much and what they are exposing is lacking -- instead of explaining the structural underpinning of man-made damage to the environment and how to prevent it, we get “disaster fatigue”. We go back to our “daily lives,” which include Tom Cruise jumping on Oprah’s coach, whines from 50 Cent/Girl-Unit and Jennifer/Brad/Angelina. This threesome got more attention than a war in Iraq or any other natural disaster – unless you consider Angelina a force of nature … if she’s trying to snatch your husband, girlfriend boyfriend, wife, fuck buddy, transsexual lover – you better LET GO NOW. There is NO match for Hurricane Angelina!
Honestly, it’s not the media’s fault that the survivors of Hurricane Katrina are not being treated with concern … that's up to the government .. I know many might say, “They should help themselves.” However, this is why people donated over 100 million dollars (a figure that's probably worth more than New Orleans) for these SURVIVORS to be assisted. We shouldn’t be relying on CNN – we should be relying on our so-called democratic government.
Yes, I’m a product of American society and I too love to get back to the bullshit of life. I love art, music and literature, which in many ways is not bullshit. Art speaks of the times … and what did the music of 2005 speak? Hmmmm … that a black artist can be a child molester, rapist, pissmaster and we still accept 
them with open arms?
Music are the sounds that are in the fabric of our memory … sadly, most of my fabrics this year have felt like an itchy piece of wool with Mariah Carey, Destiny’s Children, R. Pissy and many other artists who set every progressive movement back twenty years. Nonetheless, one cannot argue with the in your face attitude of Kanye West aka Connie West who denounced homophobia in hip-hop and President Bush. This was the most edgy moment in hip-hop since Grandmaster Flash (some might argue Public Enemy was edgy but they were speaking to an audience that could easily accept black power. Kanye is definitely CHALLENGING his audience). Hip-hop has lost its edge and impact so Kanye taking a RISK restored my deeply buried faith in the land of hip-hop/R&B. Oh yeah -- with Lil’ Kim incarcerated and Foxxy Brown going deaf I DEFINITELY believe hip-hop has some hope!
Hurricane Katrina was the most telling and shocking story of the past ten years. Each dying, poor and victimized face spoke volumes to the legions of people who think racism is over and classism never existed. It still feels like we haven’t learned … if anything could have changed the hugely problematic issues that are surrounding America -- Hurricane Katrina would have, but it didn’t. Once again it seems 2005 is year of learning nothing. Why is that? We are all part of a structure that depends on each other to survive and any shift or inconvenience to that structure is NOT worth change. Similar to the MTA strike – if you want change in your life must be inconvenienced.
As much as I don't agree with individualism, I believe it is vital to focus on yourself. Considering all of the man-made chaos in the world one has to centralize their own morals and values. What/who is really worthy of traveling through 2006 with you? What/who did they do for you in 2005? Many things you cannot get rid of -- many things you must learn to accept, however, for those things that you do have freedom over (we have more freedom than we realize) you must make your decisions. So many people I know are going through relationship, health, spiritual and unpredictable life issues. I've learned it's important to be grateful for what you have and the access that you have to attain more. If the "universe" sees a spirit who is not grateful and consistently rejecting the blessings then why would more blessings come into your life? If you sit and cry all spring you will not eat in the winter and at times you may cry for no reason at all, but the seeds need to be sowed. Are you worthy of the blessing ... and if you get it, could you really handle it? Do not believe everything you think ... is it really God you're serving ... or are you serving a construct that one day you hope will serve you .. If two people pray equally and only one prayer is answered - does that mean one of the two out-prayed each other ... is your spirituality truly spiritual, or a competition that you joined and trying to get others to join with you for salvation points ... the most deeply flawed people are often times perfection because they accept you for who you are ....... and now it's a new year, but all the same damn day!
***********
THE TOP 25 OF 2005
I love the comments on my blog ... what’s a blog without the comments??? Since I started blogging in last August I have garnered over 25,000 hits, which amazes me. In addition, I’ve gotten so many writing gigs and others that are going to make you all GAG in the 2006 – I wouldn’t have gotten any of those gigs if people didn’t enjoy my blog and spread the word. I wanted to make my final post of 2005 about the people who support my blog – ones that have made me laugh, think, scream, cuss and inspire me. This post is dedicated to you … in my Joan Crawford/Faye Dunaway voice, “The fans to all of my wonderful fans .. I would be nothing without you!” There are so many comments that I have loved, but these TOP TWENTY FIVE stand alone and are ranked with the number one comment of the year … so throughout the next two weeks take your time reading these comments. I enjoy everyone's comments and there are several people who have supported me that are not on the list. Thanks for all those who enjoy my writing whether it is when I’m expressing my views on politics, sexuality, religion, relationships, or trashy rants on our favorite “celebrities.” I’se truly appreciates it … Yes, Lawd…
25. THE DUMB STRAIGHTS - BuddahDesmond said...
After reading the first two comments that you posted from the forum, I was completely turned off. I was seriously thinking of not reading any further but said no, I need to give the respondents the benefit of the doubt and continue reading. I had so much to say and now I'm simply speechless. It's so unsettling how ignorant, how hateful, and how misled we are. This "moral" battle that we are facing with sexuality in this society is a tool that politicians, churches, and others have used to divide us. The LGBT community seems to be the group to hate. And what for? It's such a shame. The hate that some blacks spew in opposition of the LGBT community really is no different than the hate the KKK spewed in opposition of blacks. It's attitudes like these that can push anyone questioning/battling with their sexuality further into the closet (need we mention those on the "DL".) Like you said Cane, we've got a long way to go for consciousness. I hope that change will come. Yet still I wonder if it ever will.
24. THE BOONDOCKS! - kristen said...
I’m glad that i did not watch the show (both episodes were great btw) with any preconceived notions on how Aaron Macgruder would represent black people- afer all, reading the comic strip gives me a good idea of his politics. i would say that people SHOULD be discussing the internalized racism, hero worship and anti-intellectualism in the Black community. he has been given an even larger forum to discuss these issues in a humorous, yet contemplative manner.huey's speech at the end was the perfect moral to the story: even though some of us act a fool, they are still our people and we must look out for our own. katrina taught us that we're the only ones who give a damn.kristen
23. WORST IN MUSIC 2005 - somady said...
(They sound like me and I love it! I feel your pain!)
thank god there is another person who has some damn sense in this world. people are totally fucking confused and will fight to death for their right to be controlled (also read be niggas). unfortunately i bought the hate.devil.trash. baby album. i like what u waiting for. a friend convinced me to get the album right after it came out. i was soo disappointed and felt that the album should offend everyone equally (it defined misappropriation). but knowing our dumb ass country and the mesh of brains they seem to have, i knew people would eat it up. I’m considering releasing an album of ignorance and seeing how far it gets. the more talentless and ignorant it is, the more successful it will be. thank you for your insight. i know I’m not crazy, and its good to see that I’m not alone.
22. MANGO COOCHIE - The Foxybrown Show said...
(I can only assume this is a true story and I think it’s a CACKLE!)
Ok so why did Rever-rent call me from California to tell me about reading "Mango Coochie" why did I wake up at 8am EST and log on to read this story....WHY is it 8:33am and I still have tears of laughter in my eyes...Clay my brother you are a true mess!
21. Score & Sin? - Absolutelee said...
I think that religion has done a lot to damage the souls and psyche of gay black folks. With the amount of racism, homophobia, heterosexism, sexism etc going around in our community, no wonder it's so hard for Black gay men to develop a healthy identity. No wonder HIV is impacting us so greatly. No wonder we treat each other so badly. We are products of an invalidating environment, where we continue to get negative messages about ourselves from our religious communities, which is where our ancestors turned when they needed the strength to cope with slavery and other forms of oppression. So as Black gay folk, where are we to turn to get our strength to deal with our multitude of adversities?Thank goodness there are faith organizations such as Unity Fellowship and others that are providing these spaces for those of us that want religion to be a part of our lives, but refuse to be dissed by the hypocrital and homophobic larger Black church community.
20. Score & Sin? - apollonia stoned in the town square said...
(The “stoned in the town square” had me screaming at my computer screen!)
Honey, hell is going to be rather exciting with all the gay boys and divorcees! Oh yeah and the baby mommas too . . . I wish I would've worn my chastity belt!
19. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE? - Holiday N said...
(Her analogy of enjoying my blog was hilarious!)
I am so loving this blog...i feel so comfortable (i take off my shoes and look around) this is nice..and you are very funny..you might as well move over in that bed because I am so staying over and going through all your shit(archives)...lolthat thing you did with the gap wasbananas.
18. MANGO COOCHIE - Hot Ma said...
(Being able to make someone’s day out of that crazy story I told was truly worth having Mango Coochie huff and puff all over me for ten minutes.)
Teehee..that was cute. Boy, you know you ain't right! Damn! I bet some mango juice on your yellow goodness tastes mighty fine...oooooh yummy;oPS: My day was ruined until I read your post...thanks for putting my smile back into place;)
17. Horror-Day:Part II - Epsilonicus said...
(I’m glad one of my posts inspired someone to do research.)
When I first read the entry on Thanksgiving, I ended up doing more research on my own. I wanted to find out the truth (I am always skeptical of what I hear. I never take it for face value. Plus, I love to research various subjects anyway, especially this since I am an anthropologist or studying to be one). I found your entry to be very accurate. I had never learned about this story during Thanksgiving. Never before had I taken an interest in US History, whether from the majority perspective or the Native American perspective. I found it (the blog entry) to be enlightening. It makes me look at how my view of history has been formulated. I need to be better informed and this article was a start. Thanks and keep writing.
16. THE DUMB STRAIGHTS - Quaheem said...
I certainly agree....Black America (in it's multiple incarnations and personalities) cannot expect to make any more significant gains until we come to terms with the fact that there is a community within our community that has continued to be oppressed, suppressed, and depressed with and by patterns of thinking and action(s) that are eerily similar to that of our "white oppressors."It's part amusing to read some of those comments (since I do frequent BP quite often I read the article on the website and the comments in the forum) and it is also sad to see such ANTI-INTELLECTUALISM amongst our folks..I mean the outright BIGOTRY bothers the hell out of me but what bothers me more is the parochialism that a lot of our folks are hopelessly drowning themselves in...Where is the CRITICAL THINKING?I heard an interesting saying some time ago.."Don't let NIGGERS call you FAGGOT and don't let FAGGOTS call you NIGGER" As a community it shouldn't be an either OR proposition...We should all be in it together for the betterment of brownskinned folks of all walks of life...You can't be for the liberation of SOME and not ALL.
15. If Only We Could Marry ... - afrikanaudio said...
(This is a completely different point of view from a straight guy -- or I assume he's straight … I like having various types of people on my blog.)
Preach brother brother preach!!! You know the one thing that would lower the divorce rate - get rid of marriage. I am recently divorced. My wife and I were married for six out of the sixteen years that we were together and look where it got us - she barely speaks to me and I'm in fucking debt up to my eyeballs. As a matter a fact, I think we're still paying for the wedding. It was a beautiful ceremony.But fuck that. We couldn't stay together because we grew apart. That's why relationships dissolve, and marriage can't change that. We had gotten to a point where we were being strangled and we needed to say enough is enough. She didn't, so I did. I still love her but, FUCK MARRIAGE.
14. THE DUMB STRAIGHTS -- jameil1922 said...
As a black female "straight," I am appalled by these comments. The part that struck the largest chord with me was where you said, "straights love to cherry pick with the Bible." So true. I get sick of people hiding behind their veil of Christianity or any other religion. It has been used to justify a multitude of sins most glaringly slavery and the holocaust. The saga continues. Another part of the Bible so many willingly sidestep is "Judge not lest ye be judged." So I ask, judges, how you like them cherries?
13. Thanksgiving Horror-Day -Regina said...
Never before my family's welcome-table is there spread no praise for murderers or racists. Nor those who hate, rape, or pillage for the sake of elevating themselves above spirit. Instead we take the time to share time and break bread in the midst of the grand ancestry of earth.
We give thanks togetherand rest for beforeshouldering our battle gear again.~ Regina
12. THE DUMB STRAIGHTS - Marz said...
(This kid is brilliant – he’s in his teens and writes some of the most profound and impactful comments that I would’ve never thought of at his age. There are MANY comments of his that I wanted to put in this list, but this was his best and a CACKLE too. If you haven’t checked out his blog – it’s a MUST.)
Illini_E needs to be beat in the head with a stick, by Keith Boykin and E.Lynn Harris. He sounds like one of those people who are so deep in the closet, they act homophobic to not get looks, about him fingering his ass.
DazeyJ sounds confused as a Mother, whether she wants men. If she think becoming gay is that easy than she's a fool.
Tranesha says,"everyone isn't meant to go to heaven". Is there a reservation list for hell? Can I see it? She shows her ignorance, and how ghetto she is more than her name. But only a truly learned Christian would understand this right?
BlackBraniac sounds like twenty hours of TBN, and Focus on the family. He probably doesn't condone watching Looney Tunes, because Bugs Bunny teaches to accept cross dressers, and the transgendered.
11Kap is a fool. Being gay isn't a sacrifice of masculinity. That is why being a masculine black man, has been boiled down to: A pair of Timbs, some rocawear jeans, a big white tee,(or white miniskirt as I call them) and a fitted. Which makes every black man who wants to be viewed as straight(masculine), look like Mr. Cent. Being gay is a scheme to get rid of black babies. HMM. Maybe the fact that black women are getting tired of foolish negroes like him, and moving on to different races has something to do with it. If we're put on a pedestal than I must have lost my footing climbing. DAMN, ANYONE GOT A LADDER?
Queenragga is slow, gay people are amusing to her. Are we zoo animals, here for your damn amusement? Her fag needs to let that hag go..... "God Help us", from the gays, because we are causing torment upon the land.
Christoferpea is wrong, homosexuality isn't mainstream enough. How many reports of Mr. Brazell have been shown? Ms. Gunn in Newark? I haven't heard any yet."Don't ask, don't tell." Isn't it the heterosexuals who are always asking the sexual orientation of others. (I know that's the case for me.) If the hetero men want the views of women to change, than stop thinking with your penis.( That brain is probably bigger anyway.) The only one who truly understands the bible is Jesus, and he was crucified over 2,000 years ago.-Marz-Marz
11. EXCERPT OF BALL-SHAPED WORLD ON BLACKPLANET.COM! - Essequibo said...
(This really inspired me …. and something I think of when publishers/agents piss me off!)
Wow...knowing absolutely nothing about the ball scene...that excerpt brought it to life for me and set up an intriguing story. Your command of the language is serious. I Love that. I will definitely be reading your work. Congratulations.
10. BEYONCE SUCKS: THE SEQUEL - prodigalsun said...
(Well, look at that … rounding out the top ten! I basically agree with nothing in this comment, but ProdigalSun is my blogland cousin [I would say brother, but as I said before -- anyone who loves Brandy and Beyonce this much cannot be immediate family! lol]. I have to give it up for him for still challenging me with valid points – funny how he says at the end that we agree to disagree, but get us in a room together and Beyonce “Pop My Hairy Snatch For Jesus” Knowles still end up in our conversation!)
Wow... I feel honored to have inspired a post on your blog when you are interviewing celebs and being spotlighted on Blackplanet and all...*wink*
But now, to the business at hand. I stand by everything I said. Art, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder, just like your opinion of soul doesn’t exactly coincide with mine.
I don't believe that riffin and running defines soul. Soul to me is singing with all your might, taking everything that you have within you to express whatever it is you are singing about. It can be about world revolution, love or pop tarts...
I see Beyonce give her all in every performance I have seen, and THAT was the comparison to Tina that I made, because I feel that Tina performs like that. They both sweat and scream & wail... running across the stage giving it their all. That, to me, is honesty.
I don’t expect an artist to go up on stage and perform their life story. I expect them to give me the best performance they can with all the ability in their being regardless of the subject matter. And that, to me, is TRUTH in art.
Tina had a rough life. I am sure it does contribute to her abilities as a soul singer. But does that mean that having a hard knock life is the sole source of soul artistry? Your definition of soul is singing from your personal experience... and getting it out no matter how ugly it sounds. My definition of soul is singing from your heart... soulfully, no matter who wrote the song or what it’s about.
Everyone doesn’t write their own material, including Tina and Aretha. But it doesn’t negate their soul singing abilities.I don’t believe that soul is static or stagnant. I believe that it is ever changing and reflected in the things it influences like... the music of Beyonce Knowles.
So by my own definition...
Beyonce is SOUL.
Pop is ART.
And we agree to disagree.
9. Thanksgiving Horror-Day - crallspace said...
(Interesting comment from this guy … he always has politically driven comments and I love it.)
I'm no apologist, but I will say that I am pretty ashamed of what white Americans have done in the past (and nowadays, as for the Bush supporters). If I were alive back in the ancient days, I can't imagine falling for the simpleminded bullshit that people bought into.
I know the whole historical sense of Thanksgiving is a shit package, like most textbook history.
8. HIP-HOP HONORS 2005 - GeorgiaPeach said...
(Wow, she really inspired me … shortly after this I began writing for Vibe.com.)
Again, your blog has to be one of the best. You should be a writer for a top magazine. Don't miss your calling.
7. Where Is Our Community? - Regina said
(Here she is again! Also at #13, Regina is a true poet and I don’t understand why she doesn’t have a blog -- this comment in response to my Hurricane Bush entries proves she needs one. I don't completely agree with her, but the imagery and points she made is something that is valid and worth discussing.)
The answer is that we're lazy. Collectively--lazy. And supported in our laziness. Black big wigs aren't there because they've left it to military worker-bees trying to get that good tuition money to save the children and the elderly. We swallow the bullshit that the government is doing the best it can. We sit in front of our TV’s and watch, we post blogs for our internet and cable-ready comfy friends to read and shake their heads at. We talk shit and keep passing it around. I don't want to sit here and watch and read and listen to what their feeding me anymore. But just like most black, white and brown folks on dry land I don’t want to be there either. We have to take this message and put it to work as civilians and nobodies.
Give blood, cash to the red cross, clothing, work those connections we've spent all this time developing, think creatively and be proactive. Teach your fucking children, nieces, and nephews not to be so damn lazy.
Your ass cant predict the weather and if the weather man says leave...get a carpool going and bounce--on your own that way you won't be left on a rooftop somewhere, waving a beat-ass American flag hoping to spark the interest of a helicopter pilot). There are so man forces at work in this whole thing. If we know that George bush doesn’t care about black people--poor people--then why are we waiting for him?--Regina
6. Horror-Day:Part II - kathi said...
(One of my favorite bloggers … I appreciated this comment because people were getting unruly about my historical facts with Thanksgiving.)
I'm thankful that Clay blogged about the history of Thanksgiving. I wasn't taught this and did not know this. How can anyone be a part of the solution without knowing there was even a problem. How I didn't know this...I've no idea. But now that I do know, many others will know as well. Thank you Clay. This is why having a forum where we can speak openly without fear of ridicule or retribution is so important. Where the light of truth shines, the shadow of lies diminishes. Once more, thanks Clay for sharing the truth.
5. Thanksgiving Horror-Day - Apollonia said...
(Wow – Ms. Apollonia caused a complete uproar with people even taking the argument to other blogs. Considering some of the other comments that were being made I had to clench my fist to not respond – but here comes Apollonia right behind me.)
Those of you who choose to buy into revisionist history, how sad that you use the excuse that those who were responsible are long dead. History unfortunately tends to repeat itself, and we need to take the lessons of what happened in the past to make sure it doesn't happen again. Genocide has been alive and well since the first thanksgiving and many of the responsible are alive and well. Also, Christianity has been at the helm of most of history's greatest massacres. So all you Xians can put that in your peace pipe and smoke it.
4. THE DUMB STRAIGHTS - kristen said...
(I was deeply moved by her entry – especially the last line.)
"Don't let NIGGERS call you FAGGOT and don't let FAGGOTS call you NIGGER"- tim'm west aka 25 percenter of deep dickollective.
in my post (I’m gddyss) i noticed that the women who claimed to love gay men were a little hesitant to express this same love for their lesbian sisters. it appears again that men are being privileged in this structure over women...
i just wanted to add that hatred is a hell of a drug. it allows its users to get so high on the horse that they can't see who they are up there with: namely the racists- who laugh when they see blacks harm other blacks over some bullshit honor code. my people, my people get it together, the only way we will advance is if we ALL advance.
where DID the critical thinking go?
if reading the Bible as a source of information is it, then I’m scurred fa real!
3. SCORPIO from BEYONCE SUCKS
(LEGEND – this comment is legendary!!!! This was my first “fuck you!” post and I loved it. I thought it was a bit tick-tock, but he LET-IT-OUT. Luckily, I’ve never seen him with my “BEYONCE SUCKS” shirt on, or he would’ve cut me!)
OMG TO HELL WITH U AND THAT DAMN BLOG U JUST MADE..THE AUDACITY!!!! YES I AM A STRAONG ADVOCATE FOR BEYONCE AND ONE OF HER AND DC'S BIGGEST FANS..
SO YES I AM OFFENDED!! MY MOUTH WAS ON THE FLOOR AS I READ UR PIECE VISCIOUSLY ATTACKING MY GIRL...
HOW IS BEYONCE OVERRATED?? SHE IS A VERY TALENTED ARTIST WHO WORKS VERY HARD AT WHAT SHE DOES..
THIS CAN BE SEEN AS YOU SAY, "WAS VIOLATED BY 3 PERFORMANCSE AT THE OSCARS AND ONE WAS IN FRENCH." AND YOU YOURSELF SAY THAT SHE LEARNED FRENCH, WHICH GOES TO SHOW HOW DEDICATED SHE IS TO WHAT SHE IS DOING...
NOW AS FAR AS HER TRYING TO TURN WHITE, THAT IS FULL OF BS, HER HAIR HAS BEEN THAT BLONDISH COLOR FROM THE FIRST DC ALBUM, WHEN NO NO NO WAS THE FIRST SINGLE..
GO LOOK AT THE VIDEO...
AND GRANTED HER HAIR MAY HAVE BECOME MORE LIGHTENED BUT BY FAR IS SHE TRYING TO BECOME WHITE BY DOING SO....WOULD YOU RATHER SEE HER WEARING A 'FRO LIKE SHE DID IN THE WORK IT OUT VIDEO WHEN SHE DID THE AUSTIN POWERS MOVIE???
OOOO, AND I WISH I WOULD HAVE SAW YOU THAT NIGHT WHEN YOU WORE THAT BEYONCE SHIT, I COULD HAVE COME OVER AND SAID SOMETHING TO YOU...
AND OMG, YOU KNOW SEX SELLS, AND FOR PARTICULAR RECORDS THEY HAVE TO BE BROUGHT ACROSS MORE SEXY THAN OTHERS, SO YOU CANT FAULT HER FOR THAT..AND HELL, SHE HAS THE BODY TO DO, SO WHY NOT..BIG BOOTY AND ALL..
AND AS FAR AS THE ANTI-GAY COMMENTS, THATS HER BELIEFS, I CANT STRIKE HER DOWN FOR WHAT SHE BELIEVES IN..
HOW DUMB WOULD THAT BE, AND THE LGB COMMUNITY THAT GOT UPSET ABOUT IT IS STUPID TOO B/C HOW CAN YOU GET MAD IF SOMEONE HAS A BELIEF THAT WHAT YOU DO WILL RESULT IN SOMETHING NEGATIVE...
SHE DIDNT SAY THAT SHE HATED GAYS AND LESBOS, AND JUDGED THEM..SHE JUST SAID THAT IS SOMETHING SHE COULD NOT DO...AND YOU KNOW I WISH SHE DIDNT APOLOGIZE FOR THAT COMMENT, B/C IF IT WAS ME, I WOULD HAVE SAID, LOOK, I RESPECT WHAT OTHER PEOLE DO, BUT AS FOR ME, THIS IS WHAT I BELIEVE, BUT I DONT JUDGE ANYONE..AND THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN THAT.---SUPPORTER OF B.
2. Thanksgiving Horror-Day - SuburbanDiva said...
(This blog entry was “controversial” and got four times the amount of posts I expected. SuburbanDiva really summed up what I was saying while people were getting angry, offended and misinterpreting the post [ever feel like someone is speed reading through a post and then makes this HUGE opinion – if you ain’t gonna read the whole entry don’t make a long azz comment!] Thanks to SurburbanDiva – I think this was her first and last post! However, she’s a good one hit wonder at number two!)
Clay, thanks for reminding us about the sad history of this holiday. While we celebrate our families and our many blessings, we should all pause to reflect on the ongoing atrocity that is being doing to our American Indian brothers and sisters.
Regarding Christmas... I highly recommend "The Battle for Christmas" which shows that it was a pagan (harvest & solstice) holiday hijacked by the early Christian church and later capitalists.
1. Race Card - Quaheem said ...
(Also at #16, Quaheem is an amazing young man and has been a supporter of my blog from the very beginning. All of his posts were so on point that when I was compiling this list I had to skip over his comments because half the list could be him! This comment was truly thought provoking and made me think deeper about the actual entry I posted that day. Quaheem rocks the number one spot! Wish I can give you a prize or something … email me if you want me to send you some bootleg Janis!)
AMEN to EVERYTHING YOU JUST SAID..
Money can repair the physical damage...
The spiritual damage (which was already being DONE before Katrina and now is only compounded) is greater. The City of New Orleans will physically recover....But what about the millions of poor black folk who will be displaced, who are uninsured, and who most likely will CONTINUE to NOT be supported by the powers that be...
The spiritual well-being of our people is at an alarmingly HIGH stake..
And I agree that with the influence that comes with celebrity and success comes the responsibility... YES .. we all individually have a responsibility to our community...and we all should individually do what we can..
Black folks are survivors and have been (and will continue to be) the conscience of a country that has relegated it's black and brown inhabitants to second-class status...
It's a damn shame that a tragedy like this has to occur before people can begin to SEE firsthand just how SERIOUS poverty is in this country (and not just amongst black folks...but primarily amongst us)...
Sad thing is that they "saw" it all along and now the chickens have come home to roost..as Meshell said.."just cuz civil rights is law don't mean we all abide"... AMEN sista ...
Labels: COMMUNITY
