akon-smack that

Where is the outrage? Where is Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton? Why aren't they calling for people not to boycott this "artist?" Why is this guy number 1 on the Billboard's hip hop charts? And we are worried about Don Imus? Give me a break.

Not Your Typical Nappy Haired Negro

In case you haven't heard let me be the first to tell you that there are two sets of rules in our society: one for blacks and one for whites. The rules go something like this, when it comes to race blacks can say whatever they want because they are now and will forever be the downtrodden victims of a failed America. On the other hand are white folks who must be quiet because they are still the oppressors and unles they are acknowledging their guilt they have no credibility on race issues. However you cut it whites will never be able to say certain words, make jokes, nor will they be able to redeem themselves after making a stupid blunder. After several days it seems like Don Imus is another victim of this outrageous double standard.

When I was a little girl my family lived next door to a white family. The family was by Jamaican standards, rich. My brother and I became friends with the two kids and we played kids games and attended birthday parties. During the years that we lived next door I started to wish for soft curly hair like my friend Tanya. I also started to wish that my lips were thin like my friends next door. My nappy hair was a bone of contention for me until I had the opportunity to "perm" it. Years later people are paying thousands of dollars to make their lips look full and I get to have the last laugh.

I share this story to make a point and that point is that its not that Don Imus is a racist it's that he touched on something that is taboo in the black community. That "thing" is one of many things that we as blacks hate about ourselves. Having "nappy hair" is not a horrible thing but its horrible when a white person calls attention to it. Everything that we hate about ourselves is somehow intensified when a white person calls attention to it even though these same people laugh at nappy head jokes when told by the likes of Chris Rock, Sinbad or any other black comedian that may have used it as part of their material. But there is more to just making jokes about black hair its about breaking the agreed to rule that whites not speak negatively about the "chosen" people. If you do then you kiss your career goodbye regardless of your mea culpas.

So Don Imus made a stupid remark and he is not only suspended but he continues to be battered by the media, Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson and many blacks who thing whitey has gone too far. But some of the same people now standing on moral high ground have they themselves contributed to, engaged in and perpetuated some of the more vulgar and out right racist rants this country has witnessed in many years. The fact that these people are black is where the double standard becomes evident. The fact that Harry Belafonte can call former secretary of state Colin Powell and current secretary of state Condileeza Rice house niggers and no one call him on if is outrageous. The fact that Jesse Jackson can call Jews "hymies" and New York "hymie town" and get away with it without a peep from blacks is down right disgusting.

The fact that Andrew Young, former U.N. ambassador for the United States, can say that Jewish Korean and Arab merchants are "overcharging" blacks and who sell "stale bread and bad meat" to blacks without asking him to retract his statement is unjust. The fact that Julianne Malveaux can state, "I hope his wife feeds him lots of eggs and butter and he dies early like many black men do, of heart disease," without any push back from blacks is sickening. And to top it off she is rewarded with the post of president at Bennett College. I'm sure Dr. Malveaux will say that she "deserves" the post because she has served her people. Where is the outrage?

The bottom line here is simply this, black people can't have their cake and eat it too. If we are going to condemn Don Imus for what he said then we have to start doing the same to everyone regardless of race. And here are just a few: Miss Jones in the morning appears on Hot 97 a local hip hop station in New York. In some circles the station is known as "shot97" because of the gun fights outside the station. Let's see, Ms. Jones calls women bitches. She and her partners use the word nigger like its everyday language. She advocates violence against cops. And Al Sharpton has appeared on her show not asking for her to resign nor is he calling for demonstrations outside the building; Charles Barron, New York City councilman, advocating violence against white people without censor from the council; and Al Sharpton and I don't think I need do anything else but type his name.

So, do I think Don Imus should be fired? No way in hell. He has apologized profusely and we need to move on. And until evryone else that I mentioned above and others like them are called on the carpet then I say he should stay right where he is. But here is just some of what's happening as I write this. And here.

What is Wrong with this Woman?

Could someone please explain to me, like I'm a six year old, what's wrong with Ann Coulter? In this article from her web site Coulter proves to me that she is not only stupid but nasty. "This is truly a war in which we have absolutely no interest? What? The killing of humans beings is of no interest to the world community? Should we simply turn our backs on this dreadful march to death the way the world ignored the Holocust until everyone wised up? This woman really needs to shut the hell up.

What Next?

This article is so stupid it's funny. The best line has to be, "If you feel you might make a noise, please cover your mouth tightly with your hand." It's obvious that the folks in this Sacramento town has nothing better to do with their time. Aren't amusement parks about making noise? Too much.

Obama Mania

Let the fireworks begin. Obama is off and running and the flood gates are open. Who would have thunk it, especially Hillary, that he would have raised as much money as the senator from New York? Senator Clinton had no comment on Obama's fundraising. I bet a dollar that this will be the last time she keeps her mouth shut. Let the mud slinging begin.

No To Jamaica Part 2

In doing more research on homophobic attacks in Jamaica and other places in the Caribbean I realized that many of the articles dated as far back as 2001 and thought I wouldn't be making a cogent argument especially if things were "better" on the island. Unfortunately, I was wrong as you will read momentarily. So for the sake of research and establishing some kind of timeline, I will include most of those articles in this post. I want to fully drive home the point that these islands should not benefit from tourism dollars be the tourists gay or straight. For now, most of the articles are about Jamaica as it seems to be the most homophobic and brutal.

The articles I'm posting depicts the violence and hatred that these people have for other human beings. And I really don't care that homosexuality is illegal in Jamaica because none of the people in the articles were engaging in "homosexual acts" in public which is what the law outlines. In this article the chair of reggae studies at the University of West Indies in Kingston claims that dancehall has been misunderstood. She states, "Homophobia is one part of dancehall but you shouldn't reduce it to its homophobic lyrics." Excuse me? What should I reduce it to, playtime at the local jamboree? Be serious. When dancehall "artists" advocate KILLING gay people how can you not reduce it to its most basic forms? Leave it to the educators.

Here is another example of irrational behavior on the part of common folks who in some cases preach the word of God. When I was a young girl I was told over and over again that God loved "everyone." I now realize, according to "christians" that he loves you unless you are gay.

Here is yet another example of the rage that Jamaicans exert against gay people. When I was a child I heard the words but knew they didn't apply to me. I heard the word "battyman" used by strangers and family. It didn't occur to me that there was so much hatred on the island towards gay people and all I can say is, why would a gay person vacation there. I guess that's one of the questions being asked in this article. And just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water here comes another creature. Oh island in the sun...

Buju Banton - Murderer

Want more evidence not to go to Jamaica?

Buju Banton says

Dip in record sales helps ignorant dancehall artist see his ignorance and hate.

The Most Homophobic Place on Earth

While this story may have come out last year it is still worth noting here. And in an earlier post I presented a 2007 incident in Jamaica where a mob forced several gay men into hiding in a local pharmacy. Whether it's 2006 or 1996 Jamaica is not the place to go if you are gay or lesbian. And the way things are shaping up it seems like the Caribbean on a whole is not the place to vacation if you are gay or lesbian. So, starting today I will start a one woman campaign to ask gays and lesbians and our straight friends to stop spending their hard earned money on these islands.

As example of the hatred of gays on the islands here is a sample of lyrics by a reggae dancehall favorite Buju Banton. Some of the is repeated for emphasis.

DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY IN JAMAICA!

Who Said Life Was Easy?

I was diagnosed with colon cancer on Friday, April 8, 2005. I don't plan on celebrating its anniversary on April 8, 2007 especially since my cancer has grown. After my three month check up, when I was expecting to hear good news, my oncologist told me and my partner that the damn thing had grown and so it was back to chemo. As I sat in the office of my oncologist I vacilated between jumping out the window and strangling him. I guess neither would have done me any good nor would send the cancer kicking and screaming from my body. As he started to describe a new protocol I tuned out and started to wonder if I would make it through a second time. Would I be able to go to Greece with my partner? Would I be able to see my precious niece grow up? Would I be able to dance at my wedding? Would I be able to... Our drive home was silent as we both succumbed to our own thoughts and fears.

In the last several weeks people like Elizabeth Edwards and Tony Snow have had a similar diagnosis to the chagrin of their families. As Andrew Sullivan notes here, cancer doesn't discriminate across party lines nor any other line. It is an insiduous disease that claims lives and souls. And while I don't plan on giving into this disease I do get angry and frustrated. In my first go round with this disease my partner purchased the book "It's Always Something," by Gilda Radner, and it helped me to put things into perspective. I didn't read this as a self help book but as a book written by someone who experienced the same journey. The book made me laugh and cry and boil over with anger. I guess it is time to re-read it. I also read Lance Armstrong's book, "It's Not About the Bike," years before I was diagnosed. I'm not one for heroes but if I were forced to give names it would have to be Gilda Radner and Lance Armstrong.

General Peter Pace comments on Gays in the Military

In his own words.

Something To Think About General Pace

When I served in the military I was "approached" by a major but thank god after one drink too many he went to sleep and didn't follow through on his more basic instinct. Throughout my tenure in the Army Reserve I did not encounter anything that would be considered harrassment or any other form of male agressive behavior. I'm one of the lucky ones. This story, however, is quite disturbing on many levels and it is obvious that something must be done about it. I present it here to make a statement about the military's Don't Ask Don't Tell policy. General Pace should be more concerned about this kind of dreadful behavior on the part of male soldiers that the supposed "immoral" behavior of gays serving in the military.

UNBELIEVABLE!

This has to be the most unbelievably ignorant article I have read in a very long time. This has reinforced my view that "christians" have more problems that those "claimed" to be immoral.

I don't know whether to laugh or cry at this article.

HRC vs Bloggers

I'm not sure why everyone is surprised at HRC's behavior. I have known for years that HRC was not the bi-partisan group they claim to be. They have made a mockery of the word. I knew they preferred playing with the Dems for years but was crstalized when they insisted on including the T (transgender) in the ENDA legislation. When any organization starts believing their own hype it's time to close up shop.

Gays vs Straights

I'm not sure what to think of this letter from Larry Kramer but I will post it here and think on it. I will post my comments tomorrow.

Coulter Criticized

As is the norm with The New York Times, this article was buried on page 24 of the main section of the Sunday paper. Why? Because The New York Times would be the last publication to show that the GOP actually decries bad behavior. I guess I should be happy that they printed the criticsm.

Sen. Hillary Clinton at Human Rights Campaign Board Meeting

There is a great line from "Cat On a Hot Tin Roof" by Big Daddy played by Burl Ives where he says, "What is that smell? It's the smell of mendacity." It's not exact but the use of the word mendacity is what I'm after. This speech by Hillary Clinton to HRC is just that "mendacity." And why is it so? Because like HRC, Senator Clinton is about making gays feel good.

Let me start at the beginning. First, Senator Clinton may have voted against the FMA but she is against same-sex marriage. When she first ran as Senator she stated that marriage is between a man and a woman and she continues to say that to this day even though she claims that her "opinions" have "evolved." Sounds like Romney. She made this revelation at a meeting with gays back in October saying that she would not oppose Spitzer's enactment of a same-sex marriage law in New York State. Before this meeting, another high powered gay and lesbian group had this to say about her, "She is a complete disappointment and does not deserve an LGBT fundraiser." This came from Executive Director Alan Van Capelle of the Empire Pride Agenda.
Second, her "support" for gays serving in the military is mendacity at its highest level especially since her husband gave us "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," several days after he stated at an ESPA dinner in 1990 that he saw gays as part of the American fabric. His signature adorned this policy several days after his "feel good" speech at ESPA's fall dinner. Third,Hillary is on record as saying that she would vote for Don't Ask, Don't Tell. So for her to say that she supports soldiers who are gay is a crock like the rest of her speech.

Senator Clinton is very similar to her husband in words if not in deeds. If gays, with the help of HRC, believe that they have an advocate in Hillary I would suggest they stop smoking that weird weed.

Ann Coulter calls Al Gore a

I'm not sure where to start when commenting on Ann Coulter. I play this video because Youtube did no have her latest sophmoric rant about John Edwards being a "faggot." It seems that Ms. Coulter knows a lot of faggots, Al Gore, Bill Clinton and now John Edwards. Is this what Conservatives have to offer the larger community as a way of making their case? This woman has a law degree, have sold several books, most of which are nothing but blowhard crap, and is continually courted by Conservatives? Come on, any thinking human being, be they Conservative or otherwise, can do better than this. I have to admit that I was a Coulter fan until I read her first book, "Slander" and realized that I could have written a better book. The book was full of "emotions," what Conservatives accuse liberals of and opinions and nothing nearing "facts." It is obvious that Ms. Coulter survives on ad hominem attacks to sell books and garner speaking engagements. There are several things I could say about Ms. Coulter but unlike her I don't lower myself to such attacks. I'm all for freedom of speech but when its so offensive and sophmoric it should be jeered and not cheered.

Black History Month

In honor of Black History Month (BHM) I submitted a letter to the editor of my local newspaper regarding the banning of the N-word. This is what they published it is somewhat different than my original but the essence of the letter was preserved. Now we are in another "theme" month. More on that later.