Beyonce' dropped an epic new album, with the title Lemonade, which highlighted uplifting black women, forgiveness, redemption, and brought additional attention to the Black Lives Matter Movement. So guess who this album was for? You guessed it! Black women, and that is perfectly fine, considering they are the most shitted on group, but that is not the purpose of this blog.
Art is very personal, and even though it is very personal, and most people will not "get" it, or like it, which is perfectly okay, what you don't get to do is come from a place of privilege, and tell others what type of art that they should do, which is exactly what Piers Morgan tried to do with his critique of Beyonce' and Lemonade.
Piers Morgan interviewed Beyonce' in 2011, and spend several days with her in London, and from those few days, I guess he captured the full essence of her 30 plus years of life (rolls eyes), so he was quite critical of Lemonade, which if critical is a new euphemism for racist, sexist, asshole!
His first comments were that when he met her five years ago, Beyonce' seemed more invested in her art, which was his low key, shady way of saying, since she didn't tout her femininity and bring attention to issues affecting black people, which is the race that she belongs to, then he was more happy with it.
He even went as far to say that he liked her better when her "art was first, and everything else was secondary." Which is code for shut up Negro woman...dance and sing for my enjoyment, but don't you dare address your people's plight. Don't you dare race bait or be racist (which is what every white person calls you, when you call them out on their racist bullshit. Let me tell you the difference in being a racist, and not being one. Racist: I hate white people. Not racist: That is some fucked up shit that your ancestors did to our people in the form of slavery, lynching, and Jim Crow. See the difference? Calling attention to a racist past or racist behavior is not being racist or race baiting, it is simply telling the truth.
But Piers didn't stop there. In Beyonce's special, she brought in Mothers of the Movement (women whose children's lives were taken due to gun violence). Piers accused Beyonce' of capitalizing on their pain to sell albums. First, Beyonce' is worth about $800 million; she doesn't need to use anyone to sell albums. Her brand speaks for itself. Secondly, if anyone is exploiting victims of gun violence, it is you. Remember when you pretended to care about Trayvon Martin's murder and getting justice for him, but then you allowed his killer's brother on your now defunct show and gave him softball questions, after your network paid him for the same interview and put his family up in a posh hotel? That is called being two faced and exploiting people's pain. So that would be you Piers, not Beyonce'
The even larger truth is that Piers is not alone. Some of my white friends, although they will not verbalize it to me, don't like the new, socially aware and vocal Beyonce'. You will dance your ass off to Single Ladies but when she tells your family members to stop murdering our children, and that when you do, we won't be quiet about it, Beyonce' is all of a sudden a problem. No, you and your racism are the problem. Build a bridge and get over it! Because now that Beyonce' has amassed her fortune and solidified her place in entertainment, I imagine Lemonade only scratches the surface of what she is going to do!
Until next time....
Monday, April 25, 2016
Wednesday, April 20, 2016
This Week in Ashy Negroes: Harriet Tubman and Why I Want All of the 20's With Her Face on Them
Politico first dropped the story that former slave, great emancipator, and fearless leader, Harriet Tubman would now adorn the $20 bill. At first, I wanted to think that I was dreaming; surely, they weren't going to put a black face on U.S. currency, and not just any black face, but a former slave, who not only became free, but who illegally freed thousands of others.
One of my most favorite quotes, by the late, great Harriet Tubman, "I would have freed millions more, if they had actually known that they were slaves." Which brings me to my next points!
No sooner than the post appeared online, than the Ashy Negro brigade reared its ugly heads. The Ashy Negro brigade, are those African Americans who think they are the litmus test of all that it takes to be an African American (You know the ones who are pro-Bernie Sanders because he is the great white savior, hate anyone who has the last name Clinton, who hate anyone who makes us look bad, and who are constantly on social media posting and telling other African Americans what to think, what to do, how to live, basically, being self-righteous assholes).
Some argued that Harriet would not want her picture on the very currency, which profited from her labor. What? First of all, none of you Ashy Negroes were alive during Harriet's lifetime, so you have no clue of what her wishes were. My gut feeling tells me anyone who risked life and limb to bring liberation to others, would probably feel honored, but that is just my warped sense of thinking.
Then there is the Ashy Negroes who took issue with the fact that that Andrew Jackson would still be on the back. Newsflash! Who looks at the back of their money? Second, if she is on the front, every white racist still has to look at her black face when they pull their 20's out of the ATM machine and out of their wallets. I certainly pull out and handle my money face up, but maybe I am just strange that way (rolls eyes)!
Finally, there is the group who was wondering could they find another, more aesthetically pleasing picture of her. This is the one that really floored me! This woman brought liberation and safety to many enslaved, some of which were probably your family's descendants, and you are concerned because her "picture" isn't pretty enough? What kind of animals raised you? No, I mean, who are the wilder beasts that are responsible for your level of stupidity?
I don't follow the crowd, nor do I allow the collective opinions of others to dictate my happiness or to decide what is important to me. One hundred and fifty-three years ago we were slaves, and now one of our heroes is going to be on U. S. currency! I am happy!
Is racism over? Hell no! Do African Americans still have many uphill battles to fight? Of course, we are still living and breathing aren't we? But I am going to take my joy where I can get it, and seeing Harriet's black face on my 20's, fills my heart with unspeakable joy. By the way, if you are so offended, you can pass your 20's on over to me, and I will gladly spend them, and thank you, and Harriet in the process!
Until next time....
One of my most favorite quotes, by the late, great Harriet Tubman, "I would have freed millions more, if they had actually known that they were slaves." Which brings me to my next points!
No sooner than the post appeared online, than the Ashy Negro brigade reared its ugly heads. The Ashy Negro brigade, are those African Americans who think they are the litmus test of all that it takes to be an African American (You know the ones who are pro-Bernie Sanders because he is the great white savior, hate anyone who has the last name Clinton, who hate anyone who makes us look bad, and who are constantly on social media posting and telling other African Americans what to think, what to do, how to live, basically, being self-righteous assholes).
Some argued that Harriet would not want her picture on the very currency, which profited from her labor. What? First of all, none of you Ashy Negroes were alive during Harriet's lifetime, so you have no clue of what her wishes were. My gut feeling tells me anyone who risked life and limb to bring liberation to others, would probably feel honored, but that is just my warped sense of thinking.
Then there is the Ashy Negroes who took issue with the fact that that Andrew Jackson would still be on the back. Newsflash! Who looks at the back of their money? Second, if she is on the front, every white racist still has to look at her black face when they pull their 20's out of the ATM machine and out of their wallets. I certainly pull out and handle my money face up, but maybe I am just strange that way (rolls eyes)!
Finally, there is the group who was wondering could they find another, more aesthetically pleasing picture of her. This is the one that really floored me! This woman brought liberation and safety to many enslaved, some of which were probably your family's descendants, and you are concerned because her "picture" isn't pretty enough? What kind of animals raised you? No, I mean, who are the wilder beasts that are responsible for your level of stupidity?
I don't follow the crowd, nor do I allow the collective opinions of others to dictate my happiness or to decide what is important to me. One hundred and fifty-three years ago we were slaves, and now one of our heroes is going to be on U. S. currency! I am happy!
Is racism over? Hell no! Do African Americans still have many uphill battles to fight? Of course, we are still living and breathing aren't we? But I am going to take my joy where I can get it, and seeing Harriet's black face on my 20's, fills my heart with unspeakable joy. By the way, if you are so offended, you can pass your 20's on over to me, and I will gladly spend them, and thank you, and Harriet in the process!
Until next time....
This Week in White Privilege: Don't Ever Let Anyone Steal Your Joy!
Michael Strahan, former NFL star, ESPN commentator, part-time GMA anchor, and co-host of Live with Kelly and Michael made a major announcement this week. His part-time gig at GMA would no longer be part-time. Instead, he would make GMA his full-time hosting job, and would be exiting Live with Kelly and Michael. Now let's examine the back story! He gave the network four months notice (not two weeks, four months), his new job comes with an eight figure salary. (I wasn't good at math in school, but I am guessing that is at least 10 million).
I am sure that this new gig came with a confidentiality agreement and sworn secrecy.
Now fast forward to today, his co-host Kelly Ripa who is a B-list actress at best ( I am being very generous because only people older than 25 even remember her on the now defunct All My Children, and no formal journalism degree; yet, she is hosting a major show, but I digress) found out pretty much with the rest of the world that he was leaving the show. And true to white privilege form, she calls in sick and word is that she is not returning until at least next Tuesday. Meanwhile, the network is scrambling to find co-hosts for her impromptu departure.
And for those of you tired of hearing about white privilege, I'll tell you what. Take your ass to your job tomorrow, or better yet, call in sick several days in a row, with no replacement, all because you are mad at a career decision made by one of your co-workers, and see how long you keep your job. Oh, and try this while being black and not really qualified to do your job in the first place! I guarantee you that you will be in the unemployment line faster than you can spell unemployment. It will be interesting to see how this all plays out. Will Kelly cave or the network? How far will her white privilege go?
And while we are on the subject, how many of you run your career decisions by your co-workers, or consult them before you make a career decision? Please raise your hands and speak up! How many of you think you are "owed" explanations when your co-workers make decisions, which are best for them and their families. I want to see your hands raised, up high!
Kelly your husband's name is Mark; he is the only man who "owes" you any explanation regarding his career decisions. You got your M's mixed up, and your two year old tantrum is off putting as a grown ass woman in her 40's.
Michael Strahan...Congrats! Keep shining and don't let anyone steal your joy!
Until next time
I am sure that this new gig came with a confidentiality agreement and sworn secrecy.
Now fast forward to today, his co-host Kelly Ripa who is a B-list actress at best ( I am being very generous because only people older than 25 even remember her on the now defunct All My Children, and no formal journalism degree; yet, she is hosting a major show, but I digress) found out pretty much with the rest of the world that he was leaving the show. And true to white privilege form, she calls in sick and word is that she is not returning until at least next Tuesday. Meanwhile, the network is scrambling to find co-hosts for her impromptu departure.
And for those of you tired of hearing about white privilege, I'll tell you what. Take your ass to your job tomorrow, or better yet, call in sick several days in a row, with no replacement, all because you are mad at a career decision made by one of your co-workers, and see how long you keep your job. Oh, and try this while being black and not really qualified to do your job in the first place! I guarantee you that you will be in the unemployment line faster than you can spell unemployment. It will be interesting to see how this all plays out. Will Kelly cave or the network? How far will her white privilege go?
And while we are on the subject, how many of you run your career decisions by your co-workers, or consult them before you make a career decision? Please raise your hands and speak up! How many of you think you are "owed" explanations when your co-workers make decisions, which are best for them and their families. I want to see your hands raised, up high!
Kelly your husband's name is Mark; he is the only man who "owes" you any explanation regarding his career decisions. You got your M's mixed up, and your two year old tantrum is off putting as a grown ass woman in her 40's.
Michael Strahan...Congrats! Keep shining and don't let anyone steal your joy!
Until next time
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