with all that is being said in the news about Michael Jackson, it has caused me to reflect.
i have a friend that admonishes me to stick with the micro. it has been my position and continues to be that the micro and the macro are connected and very much related. life seems to me, to be a collage of sorts. every little seemingly unrelated detail serves its intricate purpose in the bigger picture.
in truth, prior to his death, i had long ceased to give any thought to Michael Jackson. in fact, i found him to be an embarressment. his appearance was grotesque. i found it very difficult to look at him. this, despite, thinking him very handsome back when he still had the features and hue of a black man.
his obsession with whiteness bothered me more than i liked his music. his marriages struck me as typical. his wanting children that possessed nothing of him...well...that was extreme and further served as proof of his obsession with whiteness. it wasn't really typical though. i would describe it as bizarrely sick and truly self-hating. (i don't think that non bw that hate bw are necessarily "self-hating", but that's a whole other post.)
somewhere i read that Michael only wanted to do ten shows for his" this is it" tour. that he felt pressured to do the tours because his advisors warned him that he was insolvent. that he even shared with fans his anger by the fifty shows that were expected of him, shortly before he died. as i read, all i could think was, "dance negro! dance!".
which brings me to my favorite Michael Jackson song.
"they don't really care about us"
unfortunately, i cannot find the original lyrics. i remember them though. i remember this song and the controversy that surrounded it. you know, it is funny, i can remember certain times and events that i knew as i witnessed them that the person(s) involved would shortly be having a very different experience. lol! like when Arsenio Hall sat there talking to Minister Farrakhan on his show, nodding in agreement (gasp) and when Michael Jackson sang about "jew me, screw me" and "jew me, sue me". if you listen closely, it seems that this version still holds some of the original lyrics where MJ sings about "kick me, kike me". i take it he was VERY angry with a few jews during this time.
i remember his apology, his re-writing the lyrics, and re-shooting the video. not too long after that i remember the child molestation accusations first beginning to surface. it does not pay to offend the jews. this fact may explain why no prominent powerful one speaks against the terrorism and human rights violations that israel perpetuates against the palestinians on the regular. anyhoo, back to Michael Jackson...
i feel tremendously sad for Michael Jackson's mother and family. i pray that Michael Jackson will now know peace.
on a different note, if lyrics can be changed despite artistic expression and freedom of speech when it offends the jews; it is difficult to pretend that the offense and disrespect heaped on black women, in the name of entertainment is anything other than deliberate and with the purpose of destroying us.
self love~self acceptance~self respect
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
do something! these folks need our support...
Demand the Release of Rep. Cynthia McKinney, the SPIRIT OF HUMANITY, all aid workers and supplies NOW!
Last night, Israeli Occupation Forces attacked and boarded the Free Gaza Movement boat, the SPIRIT OF HUMANITY, abducting 21 human rights workers from 11 countries, including Noble laureate Mairead Maguire and former U.S. Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney. The passengers and crew are being forcibly dragged toward Israel.
The seizure of humanitarian supplies and abduction of human rights workers is an act of piracy, a crime under international law. When the boat was attacked, it was not in Israeli waters and was on a human rights mission to Gaza. Israel's deliberate and premeditated attack on an unarmed boat in international waters is a clear violation of international law.
The U.S. government and corporate media has largely ignored or buried this story due to racism against Cynthia McKinney and the people of Palestine. It is up to us to get the word out.
According to an International Committee of the Red Cross report released yesterday, the Palestinians living in Gaza are "trapped in despair." Thousands of Gazans whose homes were destroyed earlier during Israel's December/January massacre are still without shelter despite pledges of almost $4.5 billion in aid, because Israel refuses to allow cement and other building material into the Gaza Strip. The report also notes that hospitals are struggling to meet the needs of their patients due to Israel's disruption of medical supplies.
This act of terrorism by the Israeli Occupation Forces against an unarmed vessel is a clear attempt to scare people away from showing solidarity with the people of Gaza. We must take action now! Here's how you can help:
1) Sign the Online Petition - http://www.iacenter.org/palestine/gazashippetition
2) Get the word out - forward this message to your email lists, post in on Facebook & Myspace, etc.
3) Take to the streets! Organize local emergency protests in solidarity with the people of Gaza and demanding the release of all those who were kidnapped by the Israeli Occupation Forces.
In New York City, join us tomorrow, Wednesday July 1, from 4 - 6 pm at the Israeli Mission (43rd St. & 2nd Ave.)
4) Support Aid Caravans to Gaza! In addition to the current project of Free Gaza, another aid caravan, Viva Palestina, will be leaving the U.S. on July 4th headed by British MP George Galloway and Vietnam War veteran Ron Kovic and including hundreds of people from the United States.
5) Call the media. The U.S. corporate media has largely ignored or buried this story due to racism against Cynthia McKinney and the people of Palestine. Please call the media - demand that they cover this criminal act by the Israeli Occupation Forces. Start with these numbers:
The New York Times 212-556-5272; Los Angeles Times 800-252-9141; Boston Herald 617-426-3000; Chicago Tribune 800-874-2863; and please call your local newspaper, radio station, or television news program.
The New York Times 212-556-5272; Los Angeles Times 800-252-9141; Boston Herald 617-426-3000; Chicago Tribune 800-874-2863; and please call your local newspaper, radio station, or television news program.
Petition:Sign it online at http://www.iacenter.org/palestine/gazashippetition
To: President President Barack Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Vice President Joe Biden, Congressional leaders, U.N. General Assembly President d'Escoto-Brockmann, U.N. Secretary General Ban, members of the U.N. Security Council, U.N. member states, and the President, Prime Minister, Cabinet and Opposition leader of Israel
cc: Major media representatives, International Red Cross
RELEASE THE SPIRIT OF HUMANITY AND ALL ITS PASSENGERS IMMEDIATELY AND ALLOW ITS HUMANITARIAN MISSION TO GAZA TO PROCEED! END THE SIEGE OF GAZA NOW!
I am outraged at the actions of the Israeli military in attacking and boarding the Free Gaza Movement boat, the SPIRIT OF HUMANITY, abducting 21 human rights workers from 11 countries, including Nobel laureate Mairead Maguire and former U.S. Congreswoman Cynthia McKinney, dragging passengers and crew forcibly toward Israel. I am further outraged that Israel has confiscated tons of medicine from the ship as well as toys and olive trees.
I demand that the boat, passengers and crew be released immediately and allowed to proceed with its mission of bring humanitarian aid to Gaza.
As former U.S. Congressperson and 2008 Presidential Candidate Cynthia McKinney said, "This is an outrageous violation of international law. Our boat was not in Israeli waters, and we were on a human rights mission to the Gaza Strip. President Obama just told Israel to let in humanitarian and reconstruction supplies, and that's exactly what we tried to do. We're asking the international community to demand our release so we can resume our journey."
According to an International Committee of the Red Cross report released on June 29, the Palestinians living in Gaza are "trapped in despair." Thousands of Gazans whose homes were destroyed earlier during Israel's December/January massacre are still without shelter despite pledges of almost $4.5 billion in aid, because Israel refuses to allow cement and other building material into the Gaza Strip. The report also notes that hospitals are struggling to meet the needs of their patients due to Israel's disruption of medical supplies.
"The aid we were carrying is a symbol of hope for the people of Gaza, hope that the sea route would open for them, and they would be able to transport their own materials to begin to reconstruct the schools, hospitals and thousands of homes destroyed during the onslaught of "Cast Lead". Our mission is a gesture to the people of Gaza that we stand by them and that they are not alone" said fellow passenger Mairead Maguire, winner of a Noble Peace Prize for her work in Northern Ireland.
Just before being kidnapped by Israel, Huwaida Arraf, Free Gaza Movement chairperson and delegation co-coordinator on this voyage, stated that: "No one could possibly believe that our small boat constitutes any sort of threat to Israel. We carry medical and reconstruction supplies, and children's toys. Our passengers include a Nobel peace prize laureate and a former U.S. congressperson. Our boat was searched and received a security clearance by Cypriot Port Authorities before we departed, and at no time did we ever approach Israeli waters."
Arraf continued, "Israel's deliberate and premeditated attack on our unarmed boat is a clear violation of international law and we demand our immediate and unconditional release."
I demand that the Obama Administration take immediate action to protest the violation of international law and obtain the release of the ship and those abducted, listed below, assure the access to Gaza of humanitarian aid and missions like that of the Spirit of Humanity and the upcoming humanitarian aid mission Viva Palestina headed by British MP George Galloway and Vietnam War veteran Ron Kovic and including hundreds of people from the United States. The Viva Palestina mission is scheduled to leave New York City on July 4, bound for Gaza.
I further demand the Obama Adminsitration take action to end immediately the brutal siege, blockade and occupation of Gaza.
Release the SPIRIT OF HUMANITY and all of the following human rights workers and crew NOW:
Khalad Abdelkader, Bahrain
Khalad is an engineer representing the Islamic Charitable Association of Bahrain.
Othman Abufalah, Jordan
Othman is a world-renowned journalist with al-Jazeera TV.
Khaled Al-Shenoo, Bahrain
Khaled is a lecturer with the University of Bahrain.
Mansour Al-Abi, Yemen
Mansour is a cameraman with Al-Jazeera TV.
Fatima Al-Attawi, Bahrain
Fatima is a relief worker and community activist from Bahrain.
Juhaina Alqaed, Bahrain
Juhaina is a journalist & human rights activist.
Huwaida Arraf, US
Huwaida is the Chair of the Free Gaza Movement and delegation co-coordinator for this voyage.
Ishmahil Blagrove, UK
Ishmahil is a Jamaican-born journalist, documentary film maker and founder of the Rice & Peas film production company. His documentaries focus on international struggles for social justice.
Kaltham Ghloom, Bahrain
Kaltham is a community activist.
Derek Graham, Ireland
Derek Graham is an electrician, Free Gaza organizer, and first mate aboard the Spirit of Humanity.
Alex Harrison, UK
Alex is a solidarity worker from Britain. She is traveling to Gaza to do long-term human rights monitoring.
Denis Healey, UK
Denis is Captain of the Spirit of Humanity. This will be his fifth voyage to Gaza.
Fathi Jaouadi, UK
Fathi is a British journalist, Free Gaza organizer, and delegation co-coordinator for this voyage.
Mairead Maguire, Ireland
Mairead is a Nobel laureate and renowned peace activist.
Lubna Masarwa, Palestine/Israel
Lubna is a Palestinian human rights activist and Free Gaza organizer.
Theresa McDermott, Scotland
Theresa is a solidarity worker from Scotland. She is traveling to Gaza to do long-term human rights monitoring.
Cynthia McKinney, US
Cynthia McKinney is an outspoken advocate for human rights and social justice issues, as well as a former U.S. congressperson and presidential candidate.
Adnan Mormesh, UK
Adnan is a solidarity worker from Britain. He is traveling to Gaza to do long-term human rights monitoring.
Adam Qvist, Denmark
Adam is a solidarity worker from Denmark. He is traveling to Gaza to do human rights monitoring.
Adam Shapiro, US
Adam is an American documentary film maker and human rights activist.
Kathy Sheetz, US
Kathy is a nurse and film maker, traveling to Gaza to do human rights monitoring.
Sincerely,
Sign the petition online at http://www.iacenter.org/palestine/gazashippetition
self love~self acceptance~self respect
Thursday, March 12, 2009
call it what it is...please
quite a few bloggers have posted this video. i have seen and heard it discussed in the news. i have heard it described a lot of ways. yet, i still have a question...
...why do folks have such a hard time calling it what it is?
police brutality
how have we become so content to only use those words as it relates to our sons, brothers, and other male folk?
our collective refusal to have the courage to tell the truth and shame the devil, allows others to pretend not to know that passes are not being written for bw/bg simply because we are female.
i will call it.
may i suggest that other bw/bg start to do the same?
the police are man-handling, raping, and murdering us. we are being incarcerated in alarming numbers. right now. yet, on our watch, we collectively refuse to call it what it is. instead, when we lift our voices, it is to speak to the plight of bm in this so called system of justice.
maybe we should focus more on creating that much needed balance, in the interest of...
...self love~self acceptance~self respect
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
going back to basics
i put myself on a time-out.
from writing, dating, and engaging others to the extent that my "social butterfly" personality would dictate, when in "business as usual" mode.
there have been many reasons for this.
the main reason is that my total focus has been on building my new business and meeting that objective...powerfully.
when i write that it is imperative to ensure survival for bw to channel all energy into creating multiple streams of income...i.am.not.joking. i am committed to moving powerfully, with focused purpose to that end.
i am committed to not only surviving, but thriving, despite the lean years that one can so clearly see looming ahead. i am committed to walking the walk. as such, there has not been much time for talking. there is a price to be paid for all worthwhile things and i am willing to pay the price.
nevertheless, i have continued to follow, without comment, blogs that make me proud...Muslim Bushido. Khadija, work it out sis! as well as others that challenge and grow me...like BWBTT. Lisa, you are an undeniable powerhouse. while we do not always see things eye to eye, i thank you for unapologetically doing...you. Evia and Sara, consistently telling the unpopular, needs to be spoken truth as they see and know it. Gina, reading your blog, inspired me to blog. i am eternally grateful for your courage. there are many other bw and others that have fed me as i have been on time-out. i cannot name them all now. however, i will say, continue to lift your voices. one can never truly know whose lives they are impacting. i don't mind "lurkers" for this reason. there is no need to engage with me, if my writing encourages you to claim your birthright as powerful women and children of God.
while on time-out, i also visited blogs that express views totally foreign to me. in fact, while at one such site, i felt truly compelled to ask questions, in an effort to get an understanding. maybe, i will address that further at a later time. considering my time constraints, i cannot justify allocating too much precious time right now. however, in integrity, i will apologize to Truth Be Told, for my assumptions about the anticipated response to me. although, we do not agree and have very different filters, i was not disrespected in our exchange. in fact, let me take a moment and say thank you. i am uncertain of your gender, yet suffice it to say, i appreciate you behaving like an respectful intelligent adult. as time permits, i would like to respond to your last comment. i see open lines of communication as a turn in the right direction. clearly there is a disconnect that can only be repaired by honest, respectful, good-faith communication.
the need to sit and write has been pricking my spirit for awhile now. those that know me can attest to the fact that i am rarely without something to say. (that fact still cracks me up. alas, the more things change, the more they stay the same:-) my lifted voice is a direct result of my spending a lot of time thinking. in fact, i have been admonished often, by male and female, that i think too much.
as i sat to write, i felt compelled to reflect on why i started writing initally.
somewhere i read, that when lost, it is wise to go back to basics. in truth, i have so many thoughts and evolving beliefs that at times, quite frankly, i feel lost in them. so i choose to lean on wisdom and go back to basics...
...i started writing to save my life.
realizing that i must save my life, if i am to impact the lives of other bw and bg. i started writing to quiet the storm of words and wisdom that refused me peace until they had been put on paper. until the message is out of me, i truly know no peace. as the words and wisdom nag me to be given life by being spoken into the universe, so did the scripture that teaches---obedience is worth more than sacrifice. i could not escape that scripture until i started to write, speak, and teach as i navigate my journey. oftentimes i teach my son that life is not a popularity contest. i have had to walk that talk in order to know peace.
upon reflection, it truly was the darndest thing. the fact is, above all else, i seek a peaceful, fulfilling, rewarding, abundant, blessed journey. not only for myself, but for as many bw/bg who will choose it for themselves.
going back to basics, and after much thought, i have decided that it is impossible, for healthy boys/men to be threatened by girls/women that are seeking these jewels in life. should the first teachers of a nation secure these jewels...we all win...
in my message, i have tried to be clear. it seems as though i have failed, so let me make the attempt again. if bg/bw are to be saved---we must save ourselves. if we perish, we will have no one but ourselves to blame. this is not the time of victims. that time has long since passed. there are no victims, barring the babies, at this point. there are only VOLUNTEERS.
the basic truth is that i write in the interest of self love~self acceptance~ self respect...
from writing, dating, and engaging others to the extent that my "social butterfly" personality would dictate, when in "business as usual" mode.
there have been many reasons for this.
the main reason is that my total focus has been on building my new business and meeting that objective...powerfully.
when i write that it is imperative to ensure survival for bw to channel all energy into creating multiple streams of income...i.am.not.joking. i am committed to moving powerfully, with focused purpose to that end.
i am committed to not only surviving, but thriving, despite the lean years that one can so clearly see looming ahead. i am committed to walking the walk. as such, there has not been much time for talking. there is a price to be paid for all worthwhile things and i am willing to pay the price.
nevertheless, i have continued to follow, without comment, blogs that make me proud...Muslim Bushido. Khadija, work it out sis! as well as others that challenge and grow me...like BWBTT. Lisa, you are an undeniable powerhouse. while we do not always see things eye to eye, i thank you for unapologetically doing...you. Evia and Sara, consistently telling the unpopular, needs to be spoken truth as they see and know it. Gina, reading your blog, inspired me to blog. i am eternally grateful for your courage. there are many other bw and others that have fed me as i have been on time-out. i cannot name them all now. however, i will say, continue to lift your voices. one can never truly know whose lives they are impacting. i don't mind "lurkers" for this reason. there is no need to engage with me, if my writing encourages you to claim your birthright as powerful women and children of God.
while on time-out, i also visited blogs that express views totally foreign to me. in fact, while at one such site, i felt truly compelled to ask questions, in an effort to get an understanding. maybe, i will address that further at a later time. considering my time constraints, i cannot justify allocating too much precious time right now. however, in integrity, i will apologize to Truth Be Told, for my assumptions about the anticipated response to me. although, we do not agree and have very different filters, i was not disrespected in our exchange. in fact, let me take a moment and say thank you. i am uncertain of your gender, yet suffice it to say, i appreciate you behaving like an respectful intelligent adult. as time permits, i would like to respond to your last comment. i see open lines of communication as a turn in the right direction. clearly there is a disconnect that can only be repaired by honest, respectful, good-faith communication.
the need to sit and write has been pricking my spirit for awhile now. those that know me can attest to the fact that i am rarely without something to say. (that fact still cracks me up. alas, the more things change, the more they stay the same:-) my lifted voice is a direct result of my spending a lot of time thinking. in fact, i have been admonished often, by male and female, that i think too much.
as i sat to write, i felt compelled to reflect on why i started writing initally.
somewhere i read, that when lost, it is wise to go back to basics. in truth, i have so many thoughts and evolving beliefs that at times, quite frankly, i feel lost in them. so i choose to lean on wisdom and go back to basics...
...i started writing to save my life.
realizing that i must save my life, if i am to impact the lives of other bw and bg. i started writing to quiet the storm of words and wisdom that refused me peace until they had been put on paper. until the message is out of me, i truly know no peace. as the words and wisdom nag me to be given life by being spoken into the universe, so did the scripture that teaches---obedience is worth more than sacrifice. i could not escape that scripture until i started to write, speak, and teach as i navigate my journey. oftentimes i teach my son that life is not a popularity contest. i have had to walk that talk in order to know peace.
upon reflection, it truly was the darndest thing. the fact is, above all else, i seek a peaceful, fulfilling, rewarding, abundant, blessed journey. not only for myself, but for as many bw/bg who will choose it for themselves.
going back to basics, and after much thought, i have decided that it is impossible, for healthy boys/men to be threatened by girls/women that are seeking these jewels in life. should the first teachers of a nation secure these jewels...we all win...
in my message, i have tried to be clear. it seems as though i have failed, so let me make the attempt again. if bg/bw are to be saved---we must save ourselves. if we perish, we will have no one but ourselves to blame. this is not the time of victims. that time has long since passed. there are no victims, barring the babies, at this point. there are only VOLUNTEERS.
the basic truth is that i write in the interest of self love~self acceptance~ self respect...
Sunday, January 4, 2009
happy new year...create your best year...yet...
HAPPY NEW HEALTHY, PEACEFUL, PROSPEROUS YEAR everyone!
it's a new year.
this fact alone, i find extremely exciting. it is like a new outfit, new pretty underwear (a personal favorite:-), a new car, new home, new love...
...each new year i tend to spend a great deal of time reflecting.
what did i learn last year?
what did i hold to be the gospel truth before time/wisdom/experience wrenched it away?
who have i allowed in my life that truly has no place moving forward, if my movement is to be powerful?
aaahhh...introspection, reflection, meditation.
frankly, sometimes i find it more pleasant than other times!
here's the thing. i have a post that has been banging around in me for awhile now. each time i sit down to write it, i feel blocked. it is as if writing it makes it real. sometimes, it is very difficult to get real i find.
everything i have ever written, i have believed with every fiber of my being. my paradigm shift born of new year reflections, introspection, and mediation is causing great discomfort.
i have strengthened my resolve to pull it in, reach a place of acceptance, say what needs to be said, and most importantly DO what needs to be done.
all in the interest of creating my best year yet and...
...SELF LOVE~SELF ACCEPTANCE~SELF RESPECT
it's a new year.
this fact alone, i find extremely exciting. it is like a new outfit, new pretty underwear (a personal favorite:-), a new car, new home, new love...
...each new year i tend to spend a great deal of time reflecting.
what did i learn last year?
what did i hold to be the gospel truth before time/wisdom/experience wrenched it away?
who have i allowed in my life that truly has no place moving forward, if my movement is to be powerful?
aaahhh...introspection, reflection, meditation.
frankly, sometimes i find it more pleasant than other times!
here's the thing. i have a post that has been banging around in me for awhile now. each time i sit down to write it, i feel blocked. it is as if writing it makes it real. sometimes, it is very difficult to get real i find.
everything i have ever written, i have believed with every fiber of my being. my paradigm shift born of new year reflections, introspection, and mediation is causing great discomfort.
i have strengthened my resolve to pull it in, reach a place of acceptance, say what needs to be said, and most importantly DO what needs to be done.
all in the interest of creating my best year yet and...
...SELF LOVE~SELF ACCEPTANCE~SELF RESPECT
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
putting it in perspective
i am tickled pink! long ago, i consoled myself with this possible upside. there is always an upside!
at the very least, black males and others will be hard pressed to "joke" about black women in the white house and as impediments to success now.
as the clowns "joked" about Michelle in the white house, when black, i allowed myself to excuse them. i found empathy and compassion in the realization that their poor little enslaved minds just would not allow them to see in their minds eye what they've not been shown consistently in the media---many examples of regal, educated, classy black women. in their little minds we don't exist, much less deserve to be featured in prominent places. especially not those that look undeniably, no need to stare black. (yes! i said it, it is true! i don't believe Mr. President elect would wear such a title had he been born to two parents that looked like his father in hue and features. but that's just me and beside the point.)
i am tickled pink that there will be a black woman and two little black girls in the white house!
i pray that his Oness does a great job; otherwise i fully expect for it to somehow be widely accepted as Michelle's fault. sound familiar?
in the interim, i will enjoy the images and hope that Michelle brings as many black women with her as she can. black wardrobe stylist, black hairstylist, black chef, black secretaries, black assistants...
OMG, i just described a nightmare for some americans! lol!
self love~ self acceptance~ self respect
if i were a boy...a.k.a. male privilege
i must confess, i have found Beyonce hard to stomach at times; in fact most of the time.
the sole reason for this assertion is that i cannot listen to music and tune out the messages. i cannot watch videos and discount the power of images. i listen to lyrics/words. i pay attention to images. i respect the truth that words are powerful and can give both life and death to the speaker as well as the listener. i honor the fact that a positive image can build you up and a negative one can tear you down---if you allow it. additionally, i have trained myself to pay attention. so it has been impossible to tune out the bootylicious, freak 'em dress, upgrade, sugar momma lyrics/images that she has jiggled, bounced, and gyrated her way through. i have felt neither entertained, amused, nor proud. being decidedly heterosexual, i haven't felt titillated either; there has been no appeal whatsoever.
i haven't really bothered to address this issue before. it has been my experience that when women make any effort to hold other women accountable for their words and/or (mis)behavior, we are oftentimes met with accusations of "hating" or "jealousy". so i had very politely turned her off and saved myself from the pollution. when she married the woman beater, who has 99 problems but a b ain't one---it occurred to me that she would have no choice but to get a clue in due time.
so i was sitting on the parking lot, a.k.a. the 101 freeway:-) when i heard this song...
...and it made me think. thanks at last Beyonce.
i thought again about the fact that we hold great power ladies. we frequently choose to foolishly relinquish it. we possess the power to change our worlds. we must strive to become better wiser women each day. in addition to doing this for ourselves, we must take the time to help a girl get these nuggets as well---it just may save her life.
you know, now that i think of it, Joe sang about the same thing..
ok. that was for me. i told you i was decidedly heterosexual:-)
back to my original point...
...reciprocity saves lives and time. check for reciprocity. demand reciprocity. settle for nothing less than reciprocity in our lives. reciprocity is the best way to neutralize male privilege, i think. what do you think? share if you feel so inclined.
SELF LOVE~SELF ACCEPTANCE~SELF RESPECT
the sole reason for this assertion is that i cannot listen to music and tune out the messages. i cannot watch videos and discount the power of images. i listen to lyrics/words. i pay attention to images. i respect the truth that words are powerful and can give both life and death to the speaker as well as the listener. i honor the fact that a positive image can build you up and a negative one can tear you down---if you allow it. additionally, i have trained myself to pay attention. so it has been impossible to tune out the bootylicious, freak 'em dress, upgrade, sugar momma lyrics/images that she has jiggled, bounced, and gyrated her way through. i have felt neither entertained, amused, nor proud. being decidedly heterosexual, i haven't felt titillated either; there has been no appeal whatsoever.
i haven't really bothered to address this issue before. it has been my experience that when women make any effort to hold other women accountable for their words and/or (mis)behavior, we are oftentimes met with accusations of "hating" or "jealousy". so i had very politely turned her off and saved myself from the pollution. when she married the woman beater, who has 99 problems but a b ain't one---it occurred to me that she would have no choice but to get a clue in due time.
so i was sitting on the parking lot, a.k.a. the 101 freeway:-) when i heard this song...
...and it made me think. thanks at last Beyonce.
i thought again about the fact that we hold great power ladies. we frequently choose to foolishly relinquish it. we possess the power to change our worlds. we must strive to become better wiser women each day. in addition to doing this for ourselves, we must take the time to help a girl get these nuggets as well---it just may save her life.
you know, now that i think of it, Joe sang about the same thing..
ok. that was for me. i told you i was decidedly heterosexual:-)
back to my original point...
...reciprocity saves lives and time. check for reciprocity. demand reciprocity. settle for nothing less than reciprocity in our lives. reciprocity is the best way to neutralize male privilege, i think. what do you think? share if you feel so inclined.
SELF LOVE~SELF ACCEPTANCE~SELF RESPECT
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
