MzBwnSkn
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Ebony Chronicles Returns starting 02.01.12
I've been MIA for some months now due to difficulties with my laptop. It cuts off randomly and I can't have that happening in the middle of me writing and article. I'll be replacing the laptop i have now with a new one within this month so to give myself some time to build up some articles I'll be back starting the first of February.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Troy Davis... our Unfair "justice" System
For a while now I have been receiving emails from the NAACP board regarding Troy Davis and his case. People for quite some years now have been trying to help fight for this mans life and yesterday it all went in vain. Troy Davis was executed last night and many people are up in arms about this, as am I, so I guess I'm just coming to vent a little and also just to give my viewpoint.
When I first started getting emails about this man I never paid much attention to them because I get a lot of random emails from different websites but once I actually read into what it was about a feeling close to dread came over me. Yet, another black man being falsely accused of a crime he did not do. Now OF COURSE no one will ever know for sure know whether he did it or not, the man is dead now, but there was just too much evidence showing that he did not do the crime he was accused of; murdering a police officer. When 7 of 9 "eye" witnesses recant their statements, you know that something is just not right about the situation. Our justice system is supposed to be fair and you are not to condemn a man if their is a shadow of doubt, and there was obvious doubt regarding Troy Davis' case.
This just goes to show, once again, how unfair our justice system is. There was nothing justifiable about killing this man and pinning a crime on him that he seemingly did not do. How can a woman like Casey Anthony, who obviously killed her baby, walk free and a man like Troy Davis, who had a good amount of evidence on his end to prove that he did not do the crime, get executed? Where the hell is justice in that? The ridiculousness of these two comparisons is just mind boggling to me but not shocking. Troy is a black man and Casey is a white woman, that's all you need to know to know why one walked free and one was murdered.
Not too long back a young white male, who went to an ivy league college was caught selling cocaine and got only about 3 months or so in jail. Not too long before that, a black male who was on his third strike got LIFE in prison for having weed in his home. Now, regardless of the fact that he had three strikes against him, how in the hell did he get life for weed but the white boy got 3 months for cocaine. COCAINE. He should have at least got three fucking years because young black men on their first strike would get that much for the same thing, not 3 damn months. The racism within our government and justice system is just fucked up when you take a step back and really look at the shit that goes on and that's really what Mr. Davis' case comes down to. Racism.
People, especially white, always look at me crazy when I say that racism is what a lot of injustice comes down to but that's the truth and nothing but the truth. Comparison cases like Troy's and Casey's show that CLEARLY. There is no reason that this woman should have walked away free, no reason. There is no reason why Troy's case should not have been appealed. The whole set up of anything having to do with the government is fucked up and unfair but this is not the first and it won't be the last. Many more injustices like this are yet to come, especially to black folks. Black men and women having been dealing with this for centuries now, this is nothing new, but it is still terrible to witness and I personally will never become numb to hearing, seeing, or reading about how fucked up a nation of people can be.
My prayers go out to the Davis family. I know that this has been a long and hard journey for them but I've read that Troy was a man of God, so he is in a better place. No longer will he have to live knowing that death is nearing because I'm sure he's known for a while now that they would never let him go.
This was mainly just a vent for me right now because I've been overwhelmed all day thinking about his case and others.
MzBwnSkn
When I first started getting emails about this man I never paid much attention to them because I get a lot of random emails from different websites but once I actually read into what it was about a feeling close to dread came over me. Yet, another black man being falsely accused of a crime he did not do. Now OF COURSE no one will ever know for sure know whether he did it or not, the man is dead now, but there was just too much evidence showing that he did not do the crime he was accused of; murdering a police officer. When 7 of 9 "eye" witnesses recant their statements, you know that something is just not right about the situation. Our justice system is supposed to be fair and you are not to condemn a man if their is a shadow of doubt, and there was obvious doubt regarding Troy Davis' case.
This just goes to show, once again, how unfair our justice system is. There was nothing justifiable about killing this man and pinning a crime on him that he seemingly did not do. How can a woman like Casey Anthony, who obviously killed her baby, walk free and a man like Troy Davis, who had a good amount of evidence on his end to prove that he did not do the crime, get executed? Where the hell is justice in that? The ridiculousness of these two comparisons is just mind boggling to me but not shocking. Troy is a black man and Casey is a white woman, that's all you need to know to know why one walked free and one was murdered.
Not too long back a young white male, who went to an ivy league college was caught selling cocaine and got only about 3 months or so in jail. Not too long before that, a black male who was on his third strike got LIFE in prison for having weed in his home. Now, regardless of the fact that he had three strikes against him, how in the hell did he get life for weed but the white boy got 3 months for cocaine. COCAINE. He should have at least got three fucking years because young black men on their first strike would get that much for the same thing, not 3 damn months. The racism within our government and justice system is just fucked up when you take a step back and really look at the shit that goes on and that's really what Mr. Davis' case comes down to. Racism.
People, especially white, always look at me crazy when I say that racism is what a lot of injustice comes down to but that's the truth and nothing but the truth. Comparison cases like Troy's and Casey's show that CLEARLY. There is no reason that this woman should have walked away free, no reason. There is no reason why Troy's case should not have been appealed. The whole set up of anything having to do with the government is fucked up and unfair but this is not the first and it won't be the last. Many more injustices like this are yet to come, especially to black folks. Black men and women having been dealing with this for centuries now, this is nothing new, but it is still terrible to witness and I personally will never become numb to hearing, seeing, or reading about how fucked up a nation of people can be.
My prayers go out to the Davis family. I know that this has been a long and hard journey for them but I've read that Troy was a man of God, so he is in a better place. No longer will he have to live knowing that death is nearing because I'm sure he's known for a while now that they would never let him go.
This was mainly just a vent for me right now because I've been overwhelmed all day thinking about his case and others.
MzBwnSkn
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Are Black Student's in Honors Classes?
So, I'm attending college now and Monday was the first day of classes for me but I do not have all my classes everyday. On Tuesdays I have an Honors Banned Books and Censorship class, that I had to take because I am in the Honors Program and you must take at least one honors class to obtain your scholarship. Walking into the class I was already prepared for what I saw. A sea full of white faces with a sprinkle of Mexicans. No blacks. I am the only black student in this class. Now granted it could just be because the class seems like it's going to be the lamest shit in history but in a school with a good amount of black students I should not have been the only one in that class.
This made me realize that black students really DO NOT apply themselves the way they should. Once this came to my attention, I started reminiscing about how I was normally only one of maybe 2 or 3 black students in my honors and AP classes in high school also. All throughout my life, I've been in accelerated classes and have always been the only or one of a couple black students in the classes.
Quick Story: One time, in my high school Spanish class, we had an old white male substitute. I was sitting near a couple of other black girls, we were all working quietly and this man comes up to us and says "Wow, I've never seen black people work so hard... I'd like to thank you." -,- He really said this to us... and what's fucked up is he really meant it as a compliment. I could see that he was being genuine, so I chalked it up to him being old and white and didn't call him out on it.
What is up with that? Why do people see black people as underachievers and why do we SEE OURSELVES that way. Why aren't black students striving to be overachievers? It seems all that black students are interested in is partying, chillin' and just having fun. College is about the whole experience but the MAIN reason we go is to be educated... or else why the fuck are you paying 19,000 dollars to party? You can do that shit for free. I'm tired of being the one of the few black students in honors classes. It's discouraging. My black people, we need to get grounded and realize what is important in life and that's NOT partying, smoking, drinking, trying to look cool and all that other unnecessary shit. Education is the key to living a comfortable life... there's very few ways to be successful without a college education and while school is not for everyone and is not the only way to make it, having a college education makes most situations much easier.
Now, to bring this back to honors programs and classes; YES more and more black students are attending college but they are NOT applying themselves as they should. WHY AREN'T Y'ALLS BLACK ASSES IN THE HONORS CLASSES?!?!?!?!?!?!?! Black people NEED TO REALIZE that we MUST be the best to get half of what mediocre white people get. We MUST be the best to get that 6 figure salary job a year, we MUST be the best the get that raise over our white co-workers, we MUST be the best to get that higher ranking position at the office, WE MUST BE THE BEST... but that all starts with your CREDENTIALS. How you do in college and how you apply yourself is also a factor in whether people employ you or not. You think if you passed all your classes with C's and mainly D's but you graduated, that someone will want to higher you? YOU MUST APPLY YOURSELF and aim to be the best because in this world you must be.
MzBwnSkn
This made me realize that black students really DO NOT apply themselves the way they should. Once this came to my attention, I started reminiscing about how I was normally only one of maybe 2 or 3 black students in my honors and AP classes in high school also. All throughout my life, I've been in accelerated classes and have always been the only or one of a couple black students in the classes.
Quick Story: One time, in my high school Spanish class, we had an old white male substitute. I was sitting near a couple of other black girls, we were all working quietly and this man comes up to us and says "Wow, I've never seen black people work so hard... I'd like to thank you." -,- He really said this to us... and what's fucked up is he really meant it as a compliment. I could see that he was being genuine, so I chalked it up to him being old and white and didn't call him out on it.
What is up with that? Why do people see black people as underachievers and why do we SEE OURSELVES that way. Why aren't black students striving to be overachievers? It seems all that black students are interested in is partying, chillin' and just having fun. College is about the whole experience but the MAIN reason we go is to be educated... or else why the fuck are you paying 19,000 dollars to party? You can do that shit for free. I'm tired of being the one of the few black students in honors classes. It's discouraging. My black people, we need to get grounded and realize what is important in life and that's NOT partying, smoking, drinking, trying to look cool and all that other unnecessary shit. Education is the key to living a comfortable life... there's very few ways to be successful without a college education and while school is not for everyone and is not the only way to make it, having a college education makes most situations much easier.
Now, to bring this back to honors programs and classes; YES more and more black students are attending college but they are NOT applying themselves as they should. WHY AREN'T Y'ALLS BLACK ASSES IN THE HONORS CLASSES?!?!?!?!?!?!?! Black people NEED TO REALIZE that we MUST be the best to get half of what mediocre white people get. We MUST be the best to get that 6 figure salary job a year, we MUST be the best the get that raise over our white co-workers, we MUST be the best to get that higher ranking position at the office, WE MUST BE THE BEST... but that all starts with your CREDENTIALS. How you do in college and how you apply yourself is also a factor in whether people employ you or not. You think if you passed all your classes with C's and mainly D's but you graduated, that someone will want to higher you? YOU MUST APPLY YOURSELF and aim to be the best because in this world you must be.
MzBwnSkn
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Movie Review: The Help
Taking place in the 1960s South, a young woman comes back to her home town, after college, where she's the black sheep because she has no man and want's to become a big time writer in New York. For the time being she settles for a columnist advice writing job for the local paper. Just like most white children of this time, she was raised by her black maid and she decides that she want's to write a book from the persepective of "The Help." Reluctantly black women jump on board for the idea but everything must be done in secret because it is against the law and their jobs, even their very lives, are at jeopardy for telling all the white folks' bussiness.
Overall this is was a very great film. The acting was greatly done by all parts. The black maids made you feel their pain and the white racist fold made you hate them. This is one of those films where black people will walk out hating every damn white person in the universe, I know I did, but then you come back down to life lol. I give this film 5 out of 5 stars because the acting was superb and the film did what it was meant todo; get a reaction out of the viewers and make you think.
This movie was actually based off of the book version, which I haven't read, but the film was so good that I'm sure the book was even better. Most times, it is. So, if you love to read, there is a book that came prior to this film. I'm sure it'll be a great read because this was a great film.
MzBwnSkn
Friday, August 12, 2011
Acting White???
All my life I've heard some variation of this directed towards me. My father had told me I "talk like a white girl." People I barely know have said I "act white" because I'm quiet when you first meet me. A guy once told me that I was a black-white girl because I said I didn't live in the ghetto and I know I was better than him, not all people, just him specifically. Let's think about it though, what exactly is exacting white?
Do people think this about me because, for the most part, I speak "clear" English? Meaning, you can understand every damn word that comes out of my mouth. Do people think this because I tend to speak "proper" instead of every other word that comes out of my mouth being some type of slang? Do people think this because I don't run around acting like a fucking fool, yelling at the top of my lungs, or acting "ghetto", with people I don't know? Do people think this because I don't live in the ghetto, never have lived in any "real" ghettos and don't pretend like I have?
I remember a friend of mine told I eat like white people do because I don't mix my spaghetti and the meat sauce all together, I eat it like you do in the resturants when you put the noodles on the plate first and then put the sauce on top. She told me I was ACTING WHITE because of that. Seriously, the way I eat spaghetti makes me more "white."
So there's a "nigga" way of eating now? I have to mix the spaghetti noodles and sauce together to be more black? This acting white shit has really gotten out of hand.
Now let's be completely real, there are things that white people do and black people; things that people of every race are more know for doing. Mexicans eat beans, Black people eat fried chicken, White people eat green bean casserole, blah blah blah BUT why does speaking proper have to be a white thing, or why should acting like you've got some home training be a white thing... why does THE WAY you eat spaghetti have to be a fucking white thing?
Black people need to get out of this "if your not acting ghetto" then your "acting white" bullshit. Most black people won't just come straight out and say this is what they mean when they say someone is "acting white", most may not even realize it, but this is in general the thought process behind this phrase. People everywhere associate being ghetto with being black and the opposite with being white. That shit is fucked up though and black people should not be accepting that. Yet, black people are the main culprits in accusing other black folks of "acting white."
Now, if I see a black girl who only dates white guys, talks like a "valley girl", dresses like them white preppy chicks do, has her hair permed with a long straight weave in, works at Hollister or Abercrombi and Fitch, wears bright pink lipstick that she know's she's too dark for and only has white friends in general; yea I'ma say she "thinks/wishes she's white" or she's acting "white" because in that sense she probably does wish she were white and yes she is "acting white." Regardless of how your raised or who your raised around black people will always know the difference in behavior they have with white people and if a black girl is acting this stereotypically "white" then it is damn sure safe to say she's acting white BUT what I won't say she's acting white for is if she speaks proper. I won't say she's acting white if she doesn't live in the ghetto and is proud of that. I won't say she's white because of the way she eats spaghetti.
Everything NON-GHETTO isn't acting white. Now, let me say this before I offend anyone further. I am not saying there is anything wrong with being from the ghetto. Shit, you can't help where you come from but there is a problem with acting like the stereotypical nigga/bitch who's from the ghetto. There is a problem when you associate anything non-ghetto with being white.
Back to myself, I don't view myself as "ghetto." Do I do nigga shit, yea, but am I ghetto? No. I'm tired of feeling like I have to prove my blackness to other black folk. My SKIN COLOR should be enough right there. No matter how I talk, eat, interact with people; I am still going to be BLACK. That will never change. Why should anyone have to act like a fool to be "black enough" and yes the way people view others as being black is acting like a fool. I feel I act blacker than most people, bc black to me doesn't mean acting ignorant; it's accepting who you are, being proud of your skin, wanting to help your people and living life knowing that shit is set up to hold you down but pushing past that to have the life you deserve. Those are all things that being black means to me and I'm all that and doing all that. Being black to me isn't about acting like some ghetto ratchet ass hood roach and that's not what being black should be to anybody else, especial black people.
So really, all this "acting white" shit, needs to dull down. I'm not saying to completely stop saying it because I do feel there are times when it is appropriate BUT I am saying stop viewing everything not stereotypically "black" as white. That's just another form of self hate and one more way of keeping us down as a race.
MzBwnSkn
Do people think this about me because, for the most part, I speak "clear" English? Meaning, you can understand every damn word that comes out of my mouth. Do people think this because I tend to speak "proper" instead of every other word that comes out of my mouth being some type of slang? Do people think this because I don't run around acting like a fucking fool, yelling at the top of my lungs, or acting "ghetto", with people I don't know? Do people think this because I don't live in the ghetto, never have lived in any "real" ghettos and don't pretend like I have?
I remember a friend of mine told I eat like white people do because I don't mix my spaghetti and the meat sauce all together, I eat it like you do in the resturants when you put the noodles on the plate first and then put the sauce on top. She told me I was ACTING WHITE because of that. Seriously, the way I eat spaghetti makes me more "white."
So there's a "nigga" way of eating now? I have to mix the spaghetti noodles and sauce together to be more black? This acting white shit has really gotten out of hand.
Now let's be completely real, there are things that white people do and black people; things that people of every race are more know for doing. Mexicans eat beans, Black people eat fried chicken, White people eat green bean casserole, blah blah blah BUT why does speaking proper have to be a white thing, or why should acting like you've got some home training be a white thing... why does THE WAY you eat spaghetti have to be a fucking white thing?
Black people need to get out of this "if your not acting ghetto" then your "acting white" bullshit. Most black people won't just come straight out and say this is what they mean when they say someone is "acting white", most may not even realize it, but this is in general the thought process behind this phrase. People everywhere associate being ghetto with being black and the opposite with being white. That shit is fucked up though and black people should not be accepting that. Yet, black people are the main culprits in accusing other black folks of "acting white."
Now, if I see a black girl who only dates white guys, talks like a "valley girl", dresses like them white preppy chicks do, has her hair permed with a long straight weave in, works at Hollister or Abercrombi and Fitch, wears bright pink lipstick that she know's she's too dark for and only has white friends in general; yea I'ma say she "thinks/wishes she's white" or she's acting "white" because in that sense she probably does wish she were white and yes she is "acting white." Regardless of how your raised or who your raised around black people will always know the difference in behavior they have with white people and if a black girl is acting this stereotypically "white" then it is damn sure safe to say she's acting white BUT what I won't say she's acting white for is if she speaks proper. I won't say she's acting white if she doesn't live in the ghetto and is proud of that. I won't say she's white because of the way she eats spaghetti.
Everything NON-GHETTO isn't acting white. Now, let me say this before I offend anyone further. I am not saying there is anything wrong with being from the ghetto. Shit, you can't help where you come from but there is a problem with acting like the stereotypical nigga/bitch who's from the ghetto. There is a problem when you associate anything non-ghetto with being white.
Back to myself, I don't view myself as "ghetto." Do I do nigga shit, yea, but am I ghetto? No. I'm tired of feeling like I have to prove my blackness to other black folk. My SKIN COLOR should be enough right there. No matter how I talk, eat, interact with people; I am still going to be BLACK. That will never change. Why should anyone have to act like a fool to be "black enough" and yes the way people view others as being black is acting like a fool. I feel I act blacker than most people, bc black to me doesn't mean acting ignorant; it's accepting who you are, being proud of your skin, wanting to help your people and living life knowing that shit is set up to hold you down but pushing past that to have the life you deserve. Those are all things that being black means to me and I'm all that and doing all that. Being black to me isn't about acting like some ghetto ratchet ass hood roach and that's not what being black should be to anybody else, especial black people.
So really, all this "acting white" shit, needs to dull down. I'm not saying to completely stop saying it because I do feel there are times when it is appropriate BUT I am saying stop viewing everything not stereotypically "black" as white. That's just another form of self hate and one more way of keeping us down as a race.
MzBwnSkn
Monday, August 8, 2011
Movie Review: Skin
This movie is based on the true story of a dark skinned girl born in the 1950's to two white South African parents. It goes through her and her family's struggles dealing with her skin tone from youth into adulthood. Without, giving too much away it's a very touching story that I believe everyone should see.
The most interesting thing to witness in this movie is how Sandra's (main character) parent's view her. To them she is completely white because they are her parents, despite her skin tone. The way they treat other black Africans is interesting because in reality their daughter is a black African, yet they are just like the rest of the white South Africans.
I recommend everyone to see this film because it is very touching and will leave you thinking deeply on what it means to be black and how despite what genetics may say or who you come from; if you look black, you are black.
Self Esteem Issues Within the Black Community
This article coincides with the Light Skin vs. Dark Skin article but it spans over more than just skin tone. Of all the races, I would say that black people have the most self esteem problems. We idolize material shit so much more than any other race and if someone disagrees with that, just think about this:
What are Asian people best known for? Being smart. What are white people best known for? Being crazy as hell but also running this world. What are Hispanics best known for? Having a lot of kids, amongst other things, but that shows they cherish family. What are niggas best known for? Being "ghetto", getting money, nice cars, fat asses, wasting money on bullshit to impress people, big dicks, etc. DUMB MATERIALISTIC BULLSHIT.
Everything were known for in this world, besides being good athletically and atristically, is nothing to really to be proud of. A fat ass... getting bitches (key word: bitches)... wasting money in the club by "popping bottles"... really?
A major problem in our community is that we admire the wrong shit. Not enough black parents are instilling in their children that education is one of the most important things a person can aquire in life. Oh but we will make sure we buy our kids the latest Jordans or let our daughters dye their hair Pink because Nicki Minaj dyed her's that way.
All these things come back to low self esteem issues. We still have not gotten past what the media instills in us is beautiful. Black people are still struggling to find our beauty. That's why the light skin vs dark skin debate is still around today.Were fighting each other over what's beautiful instead of fighting the media and what white people have instilled in everyone, that white women and men are what everyone should want to be.
Sure things aren't the way they once were but black people are still really struggling with self esteem issues as a whole and we have to get over this milestone. I believe the best way to work towards solving this problem is to start instilling into our children that looks aren't everything, their something, but not everything. Help your children aquire other characteristics that will build self esteem and make them proud of theirselves for working hard to be something better than your average nigga... as the saying goes "The Children are our Future." If we can get the kids to start valuing things other than money, cars, hair, makeup, etc; then I believe we will start to see a change.
MzBwnSkn
What are Asian people best known for? Being smart. What are white people best known for? Being crazy as hell but also running this world. What are Hispanics best known for? Having a lot of kids, amongst other things, but that shows they cherish family. What are niggas best known for? Being "ghetto", getting money, nice cars, fat asses, wasting money on bullshit to impress people, big dicks, etc. DUMB MATERIALISTIC BULLSHIT.
Everything were known for in this world, besides being good athletically and atristically, is nothing to really to be proud of. A fat ass... getting bitches (key word: bitches)... wasting money in the club by "popping bottles"... really?
A major problem in our community is that we admire the wrong shit. Not enough black parents are instilling in their children that education is one of the most important things a person can aquire in life. Oh but we will make sure we buy our kids the latest Jordans or let our daughters dye their hair Pink because Nicki Minaj dyed her's that way.
All these things come back to low self esteem issues. We still have not gotten past what the media instills in us is beautiful. Black people are still struggling to find our beauty. That's why the light skin vs dark skin debate is still around today.Were fighting each other over what's beautiful instead of fighting the media and what white people have instilled in everyone, that white women and men are what everyone should want to be.
Sure things aren't the way they once were but black people are still really struggling with self esteem issues as a whole and we have to get over this milestone. I believe the best way to work towards solving this problem is to start instilling into our children that looks aren't everything, their something, but not everything. Help your children aquire other characteristics that will build self esteem and make them proud of theirselves for working hard to be something better than your average nigga... as the saying goes "The Children are our Future." If we can get the kids to start valuing things other than money, cars, hair, makeup, etc; then I believe we will start to see a change.
MzBwnSkn
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