Jack and Jill Politics - Latest Comments in How American Culture Works

Re: How American Culture Works

Lizzy — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 21:04:00 -0000

I think I get your critique, Nita, and no need to apologize. Bad example on my part. I was thinking about men referring to each other as "girlfriend" - but I probably overestimate how often heterosexuals invoke this usage.

Words or gestures that originate in one culture seem to morph a bit and acquire different shades of meaning as they travel through different cultures and contexts. I frequently hear Yiddish words mispronounced, misused, or misappropriated - which makes me both wince and chuckle.

So please forgive me for being a schmuck.

Re: How American Culture Works

Nita — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 18:26:00 -0000

That's cool. As long as Queer Culture recognizes how much theft and stamping out of and watering down of its subcultures has occurred within itself.

What's not cool is you using 'girlfriend' as if it originated within Queer culture. The appropriation (and exaggeration) of female culture by male-gay culture needs to be addressed. But maybe you didn't mean it that way; and if you didn't I apologize for taking offense.

Re: How American Culture Works

Lizzy — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 11:05:00 -0000

@Nita- what I'm talking about is a rich Queer Culture composed of people from all races and cultures, who have a long history of innovated uses of language, art, music, literature, theater, dance, fashion and etc. And that Queer Culture has informed and shaped mainstream culture for at least a hundred years, if not more.

It's not a competition. Black Culture, Yiddish Culture, Queer Culture, Latino Culture have all played a huge part in shaping our world. And we should be grateful for them all, because our world is richer for it.

Now I'm going to go have a bagel with a schmear.

Re: How American Culture Works

Nita — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 09:01:00 -0000

@Melinda said..."Seems to me that it's all about being genuine."

and that's all she wrote. which makes me sadder, because the Obamas genuine love for each other is so fresh. It makes the fakeness of everyone else that much more depressing.

Re: How American Culture Works

Nita — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 08:58:00 -0000

@Lizzy said... "Sometimes Queers do it first, then everyone starts doing it, girlfriend. And sometimes, it's Black Queers, which makes it double delicious."

Eyebrow.

I know you didn't just claim what I think you just claimed. I'm getting flashbacks of that little white boy with the mascara from West Virginia on youtube trying to talk shit about Oprah and black women and Obama while engaging in exaggerated 'ghetto female'isms. Then there's the issue of Shirley Q. Liquor.

Has anyone done a study on why male homosexuals steal from women? And why white homosexuals steal from homosexuals of color?

Re: How American Culture Works

The Christian Progressive Libe — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 23:55:00 -0000

Rikyrah, I'm still grooving on Jeffrey Toobin's "Deranged" comment, LOL

Re: How American Culture Works

TruthSeeker — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 22:12:00 -0000

The one good thing about this is if everybody's doing it, it will defuse the "terrorist" bump talk.

Re: How American Culture Works

rikyrah — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 20:43:00 -0000

tonya:
Add one to the list:

"my boo"

Outside of Jeffery Toobin, the other ' moment' on CNN on Tuesday was Anderson Cooper telling Donna Brazile that he ' wanted to be her boo'.

BWA HA HA HA HA

Re: How American Culture Works

Denise — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 19:45:00 -0000

I actually saw Sean Klannity "dap" a guest on his show several weeks ago. I almost choked.

Come to think of it, has anyone else noticed the "handshake" remix - hand shake with one hand/shoulder hug with the other?? That's the new hotness now.

But I'm ain't doggin' because FOR REAL we jack stuff, too: something "sucks/blows"... So n' So is a "douche/douchebag", etc., etc. etc....

Re: How American Culture Works

Melinda — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 18:34:00 -0000

Seems to me that it's all about being genuine. Barack and Michelle either have a very genuinely loving, supportive relationship or they have figured out how to fake that with cameras and reporters on them all the time. I'm guessing it's genuine.

That they took time to gaze deeply into one another's eyes, while the whole world was watching, and make a few small physical gestures that hint at their solidarity, at their deep connection, just gives me shivers.

They have worked hard for this moment and sacrificed so, so much for this moment...it's beautiful beyond words.

(And my White sisters in TV-land need to really get a grip and not ever, ever, ever attempt what they think is a "cool" gesture again. No offense, but again---it's all about being genuine. I'm a White mom with Black children. I know how tempting it is to want to fake it...but it's painful for anyone who's watching!)

Re: How American Culture Works

The Christian Progressive Libe — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 18:24:00 -0000

Well, in that case, if they did the "Forearm Bash" made popular by the 1988 Oakland A's Jose Canseco and Mark McGwire, I guess Fake Noise would have known what it was wouldn't they?

No, as a Federal Court Judge just pointed out, the Fox Crew are a "gullable" bunch that shouldn't be on the air. Who knew?

Re: How American Culture Works

golden star — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 17:33:00 -0000

What? Is this a US Senate thing? Is this what bipartisanship brings? Who knew?

Re: How American Culture Works

Lizzy — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 17:24:00 -0000

Sometimes Queers do it first, then everyone starts doing it, girlfriend. And sometimes, it's Black Queers, which makes it double delicious.

Re: How American Culture Works

Anonymous — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 17:01:00 -0000

loved it--- but I did the fist bump in 1971 while in college... and, oh by the way, I'm white & female.... at the time, most "girls" didn't shake hands and only athletics were high-fiving, and most black guys were extending the high-five to a multi-phased series of hits.... so to make a point to another gal, I bumped knuckles... what goes around comes around.... the best part of what Michele did wasn't even the fist bump, it was the thumbs up sign she gave him and it was the pat on the "small of her back" that he gave her... now that was cute...

Re: How American Culture Works

Afroamericawriter — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 16:45:00 -0000

I wrote about this on my blog that folks especially Mainstream Media should really start hanging around black people. Seriously!!!

Re: How American Culture Works

The Christian Progressive Libe — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 14:50:00 -0000

WE can NEVER have ANYTHING that is UNIQUELY OURS.

I would ask "Why is that?" but I already know the answer, I think.

Re: How American Culture Works

Cameron — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 14:48:00 -0000

Imitation is the biggest form of flattery...

Re: How American Culture Works

Ronnie B — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 14:36:00 -0000

"you go girl"
"what's up"

"old school"

"pimped"

"tricked out"

"bling"

giving high-fives

"don't go there"

"dissed"

"24/7"

Don't forget doing the "Cabbage Patch" celebration dance.

Re: How American Culture Works

Bronze Trinity — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 14:18:00 -0000

I really can't believe this is the first time the mainstream is seeing this gesture. Hasn't it been popular for years?

Re: How American Culture Works

Town — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 14:17:00 -0000

I'm no strategist, but if a story like that gains no traction-even on the FAR right wing-isn't it best to just let it lay where it is?
---------------

A story like that shouldn't have even been made in the first place. The reason it got no traction is because it's beyond stupid. But I knew somebody would try to say that the Obama fist bump was some kind of evil signal or call to arms.

Next thing you know somebody will try to say that Michelle Obama wore purple to signify that she and Barack were installing themselves as King and Queen of America and the fist bump is a signal that all whites will be confined to serfdom on Jan. 20, 2009.

This stuff needs to be aired out and laughed at for how ridiculous it is.

Re: How American Culture Works

N. Mahana — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 14:09:00 -0000

Why am I NOT surprised?!! *shakes head and shrugs*

Re: How American Culture Works

Big M — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 14:08:00 -0000

Without black people in this country, life would be so boring and square.

Re: How American Culture Works

Professor Tracey — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 13:54:00 -0000

I'm with Justice58, somebody stop them!

Nothing kills a black cultural act, symbol, or language faster than when white folks start copying it!

Lord bless them!

Re: How American Culture Works

justice58 — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 13:46:00 -0000

Dianne Feinstein & Kay Bailey Hutchison?

Make Them Stop!

Re: How American Culture Works

D. — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 13:41:00 -0000

Anon 9:53,

It is a terrorist sign!!! The Obamas are part of al-Qaeda!! I knew it!!!

Doesn't that sound...well, stupid?

I'm no strategist, but if a story like that gains no traction-even on the FAR right wing-isn't it best to just let it lay where it is?