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you are out to lunch.
I don't know if we'll see riots, but we'd see countless protests and many would probably stay home on election day.
If worst case scenario happens, I would not riot, nor would I not vote. I would write in Barack's name on the GE ballot.
The reason what she said was worst is because it was the only and last thing she said before the segment ended. So there was no follow up question or clarification.
It's very irresponsible and for an intelligent woman...highly stupid.
Michelle's weave is tight, though.
But, I'll only say this, dnA, Bernard has defended Obama way more than other Black folk, including those supposedly on his side.
But Michelle's been one of the few people to have Obama's back on matters of race and politics.
I've been impressed by most of her appearances. "Race riot," probably wasn't the best word choice. But I don't think it's a big deal. I didn't take offense.
Now. . . she might do a 180 and back McCain once Obama gets the nomination. But maybe not. Something tells me that her compliments are genuine.
Seems like some of these talking heads are going through a real crossroads in their political thinking -- particular those pundits of color.
Maybe. . . just maybe, Michelle Bernard is one of them.
We'll see.
I tried to talk to Michelle, whom I actually know here in DC and, by the way, is married to Joe Johns (what does he say about this?) and she won't return my calls.
I wish someone could find the clip from the Abrams show last night where she told the truth again and did not back down.
She said spoke about Hillary's new ploy regarding sexism and how folks are tired of it. She spoke about Ferraro and Rachel Maddow whom I thought always spoke from a place of truth talked about admiring Ferraro and let it stand there.
Lucky guy.
There is a difference from claiming discontent which would result in sitting out the election, quiet protests w/ signs in front of important buildings or being outspoken about it.
However, to claim a "riot" is exactly what the dominant society thinks of us, black savages who have little to no self-control, restraint or common sense to think of any other means. They love it! Bill O' Reilly has said, Rush has said it amongst countless other idiots. You do not throw out crap like that. That was stupid. I'm sick of the black people they put on television. The corporate media places them there on purpose.
I remember once when she said that Obama was not authentically black because he did not speak "ebonics". Eugene Robinson had to correct her. The look he gave her was classic and I was done with her after that regardless of what she has to say.
As for the "nigga" usage.
Here is my take on it. I dont call people one and people dont call me one. However as I told someone the other day, My grandmother used to call me a pickny...which is short for pickaniny. Which is a deragotory work for black children. Why would she call me a pickanniny?? I always found that to be interesting and many others do it too.
The classic one came when someone told me:
"Oh Rhonda, imagine if King was here today to hear black youth calling each other niggas"
I tell them he probably heard it. I attend jazz clubs on the regular. A great saxophonist once told me that he "laughs when adults these days are acting as if calling someone "nigga" started in 1993 because in 1963 and 1953 and 1943, we were saying "nigga this and nigga that" amongst ourselves in certain circles. The issue now is that the whole world is hearing it due to the popularity of this hip-hop stuff." He was on the Cosby show once...haha...get it. You most blacks were not using it and when and if they heard them, they would just shake their heads as they do now.
Also, has anyone ever heard of "The Last Poets" late 60s/70s with songs like "Niggaz Are Afraid of Revolution" and my favorite "Run, Nigga, Run (Time Is Running Out).
You see while I dont use it and people dont call me it...cause they can't, some use it and have been using it for decades. It has to do with the person, their surroundings and their particular culture. What sickens me is when people act as if its new, all Afro-Americans say it and people who say it don't know that it is offensive to some others"
This is the hypocrisy. I know a group of gay guys who call each other "fags". Each year they go on a trip called "Six Fag's Great Adventure" to Six Flags Great Adventure yet if someone heterosexual said it, they would flip. They tell me that a lot of gays do it and I was shocked. However I know many would never and find the word be uttered by anyone offensive. The same things go for Jews and Latinos from what I have heard. Also some women/girls call each other "bitch" and "slut" as fun!! yet if a man called them that they would flip. I know many who would never have anyone call them either under any circumstance.
In conclusion, some use it and most (in my opinion) do not. The word is mostly used amongst some young and some older African American males.
I completely understand why people are offended, its an offensive word because of the history of it and the weight behind it. However I refuse to give power to it. I dont write Op-Eds about it because I rather direct attention to the real issues going on in society.
P.S. Does anyone have Nas' Nigger album.? I meant to go listen to it. I have always liked Nas. It would be interesting to hear how he frames it.
P.S.S. Thanks for reading my usual essay comments=)
I have nothing against Bernard nor was I "offended", my issue is the way in which our society already views blacks and the way in which these black pundits (excluding a good few) give credence to these ideas.
The constant stressing and exaggerating of "bad black pathology" by the likes of Amy Holmes, Juan Williams and Bernard makes them no different than the racist white pundits that we complain about.
A lot fo people like and defend Obama but when faced with the ret of the black population, it all goes down hill. No thank you.
Someone needs to say that BLACK FOLK will be pissed if HRC wins..race riots? Hey if it scares some of the superdels still drinking Hillaraid --so be it.
Bernard's words were ill-advised. We're already having to listen to pundits who don't know a g.d. thing about Black people, and for her to kid around--and yes, we know she was kidding--like that only feeds the ignorance of the predominantly white (and ignorant) media.
I agreed with until a point.......... I agree what Ms. Bernard said was irresponsible and that she did basically call us the n-word without even saying it but......... and here is the but. As some one who was in Jack and Jill and is a Jack and Jill Legacy(means my mother was one) How can you write on the blog that your friends call you nigga a the the time like it is okay? Jack and Jill blacks don't call each other that because they know that it is degrading and we deserve better. You admitting and being okay with your friends calling you nigga puts you in the same boat that your trying to put Ms. Bernard in. Same crap different package. WAKE UP!!!!!!!!!!
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That's all that's being said this week, how white women will be so upset if Hillary doesn't get the nomination and they will form protest groups to vote for anybody not named Obama.
I think it's irresponsible to claim that black people will take to the streets if Obama doesn't get the nomination, as if everyone else will merely be disappointed and write a letter to the editor if Hillary doesn't win or if McCain doesn't win in the fall.
Not even the white racists that support Hillary are expected to take to the streets if Hillary doesn't get the nomination.
The only people who would be protesting and taking it to the streets would be the Geraldine Ferraro Faction, and they're all older white women.
I would not want Black folks rioting in the street, but I most certainly would expect us to take the streets in civil protest if Obama is denied the nomination which he earned.
after praising Bernard this entire election cycle, I have to say that this was irresponsible of her.
But, I'll only say this, dnA, Bernard has defended Obama way more than other Black folk, including those supposedly on his side."
Co-sign! With the exception of Rep Adam Smith of WA, Senator Obama has the absolute worse surrogates!
Oh and there will be race riots because if you give the nomination to someone based on the fact they can win "hard working white Americans", people are going to get upset. I'm getting upset just thinking about it. I don't riot but in this case I'd bitch and complain loudly.
In fact, there is record of MLK saying the word, too, if you've done some background work on the man. Does that make it OK? He also cheated on his wife. MLK is an incredible person, but to justify that word because, hey, it's been around for generations is silly.
People can try to justify it if they want, but I have a hard time swallowing the idea that a word that was shouted with extreme disdain and venom when slaves were being whipped and blacks were being strung up in trees can somehow be turned around and be a true term of endearment.
It just helps to perpetuate the crime of ignorance.
I think some people might riot, both black and white. But, I think there would definitely be protests by all races.
Hillary is on tv turning FL & MI into a crusade against voter disenfranchisement. She's talking about AA's being disenfranchised. The DNC is playing with fire.
I just want to thank you for your well thought out argument against the n-word. Who can argue against that I'd like to ask? Some will try, but I don't think they will succeed. People forget that Blacks were lynched, burned, terrorized, belittled, raped, and killed because they were thought of as NIGGERS or Nigga for short. Anon 9:48 is right right. Ms. Bernard and dnA are both out to lunch.
Are you serious? You can't be! Is she actually crusading against AA's votes being disenfranchised! LOL!
I'm not for "niggaz."
But I'm also dead set against censorship.
I'm all for choice.
And I'd rather help cultivate a positive environment where black youth CHOOSE not to use the word, rather than have someone tell them what they can and cannot say.
"Nigga" is more than a word. It is a mentality. And the NAACP can bury that word as many times as they want. . . they can demonize and protest every rapper they can find. . . but nothing's gonna change until black folk stop thinking and acting like "niggaz."
I am nobody's "nigga." I don't call anyone nigga and nobody calls me one. That's a choice I make with the people I associate myself with. It's not about the word, it's about respect. If you respect me as a person, then you'll treat me as I demand to be treated (and vise versa).
But I'm not with the Al Sharpton crowd that seeks to boycott every music artist, comedian, etc, that says the word.
Why?
First. . .those "artists," hold no power or authority over my life. Now, I'll be right there with Al the second a politician/legislator shows his a*s. But I always have the power to turn the tv off or change the channel if my favorite rap artist crosses the line.
Here's another reason why I'm not in the Al Sharpton movement:
Because no one is pure. Spellman protested Nellie but I bet you 80% of them had his music in their cd-players.
I was amazed when Essence gave hip hop a hard time, but had the nerve to advertise shows like Monique's "Charm School," . . . a show where you saw more booty and heard more "bi*ches" than most rap videos.
I'm not pointing this out because I'm some prude. Personally, I say to each is own. . . live your life. But I think that this does show a disconnect between our rhetoric and our actions.
If we're gonna say one thing and do another, then I suggest we have a little more introspection before we take to the streets.
Again, our protest means very little so long as our actions don't match our words.
Don't lecture me about the lyrics in rap music and let me find you shakin your a*s to that same music in the club on Friday night.
So I maintain. . . for myself, it's about choice. I choose not to use certain language. At the same time I listen to hip hop and I love Richard Pryor, Chris Rock and Dave Chapelle.
That's because they have . . . TALENT.
They may not use the sweetest language, but there are times when their words are more prophetic and speak more truth to power than any black politician, community organizer or preacher. Language can be ugly. . . but so is life sometimes.
Choice. Life is much more complex than a list of bad words.
Well, she mentions both in the same breath...conflating the two things as if the FL & MI situation is akin to deliberate voter disenfranchisement.
She seems to be painting herself as a fighter for the disadvantaged; and of course, what better way to gain legitimacy than to mention African Americans.
That was a wreckless speech Hillary gave today. Highly insincere and disingenuous.
She wraps her selfish motives in a civil rights message for personal political gain. Disgusting.
Plus, she even gave the Republicans a tv ad to use in the fall when she raised the question: Why vote Democrat when the party abandoned you during the primary season?
I'm telling you, someone's gonna hurt her feelings really soon. She's gonna push the wrong button just one too many times and get forced out of the race by the rest of the super delegates.
You can see how people's patience is wearing thin with her.
-Someone in Florida should say:
"Hillary, it's 2008.
Why weren't you here in 2000?
If you didn't do anything about disenfranchisement then, don't come down here now when everybody knowns this is the only way you think you can win."
She actually raised the question, "Why vote Democrat when the party abandoned you during the primary season?" First, only she and McCain have met the imaginary threshold she invented to become Commander in Chief on DAY one, then we will surely rally behind whoever the Democratic nominee is, now this. She is CONFUSED and I don't know how much more I can take!
I was simply stating facts and trying to take the conversation out of what I knew it would come to. I was simply stating that its interesting how people take offensive words and use them as either jokes or terms of endearment while others use it for political reasons. I also stated that many groups do the same thing and while some people use it within in a group, many do not! I was not justifying anything. If people were not reading it from a defensive stance then they would get it!
I was not refering to MLK, I was refering to the time period. People often use him as some beacon of everything lost in the black community. They act as if blacks were saints and then they dropped the ball. I was merely breaking that idea down so that people can see that things have not changed much. Yesterday was just as diverse as today....unlike many would believe.People prefer nostalgia and amnesia.
When I speak to various people and I get a more intricate and complicated view of things. I remove it from this generational stance.
I have always said that I wish some would be more creative and create a word rather than recycling something that is offensive. Some just say brotha? Before it was said amongst certain groups, now its widespread due to hip-hop music and culture. Many ignorant people simply repeat it without really thinking. While I wonder if everybody who ever used it was just repeating it because they thought it was cool or if their was a certain agency behind it.
I have heard many who have used the word for political reasons but those people were not the usual people running around...some where poets or underground politically conscious hip-hop artists who claim that they are trying to take power away from the word. They are trying to flip the script and if you allow someone to take a word, give it power and let it take power of you then your stupid....thats the idea of what some of them say. However I assume that this is exclusive to them. Many are using it like a trend and I doubt highly that their usage is politically.
One cannot ignore however that it has been going on for a while. I remember how I felt when I learned about the word "pickanniny" and realized that my great-grandmother called me that all my life. Was it because someone called her that and she internalized it? You see that is not generational. My grandmother isnt the only one, many people in the Caribbean use it. I keep telling them what it means and they brush me off. How could you degrade your child and call them a pickny...I dont know. I wonder if these people really think that they are pickanninies.
I have been fascinated by this because its not enough for me to call these people simply ignorant or the origination of the trend-simply ignorant. It started somewhere or for some reason. I am really refering to the larger picture and history of it.
And to reinforce my point since some people will once again twist what I am saying, I DO NOT USE IT NOR DO I LET PEOPLE CALL ME IT REGARDLESS OF THE REASON. Thats just me. If DNA is ok with it then thats completely fine...its that person's choice. Nor am I not going to hold burials when there are a lot of other things that I can be burying.
When you dismiss it and claim that anyone who tries to discuss it further as justifying it, then you are missing out on a very interesting discourse. Thats not silly.
Lastly, Bernard was irresponsible in throwing out 'riot' knowing how many in the dominant community was going to look at it from a negative perspective. You cannot do that. You give credence to those who expect nothing from blacks.
No rational thinking.
No sense.
Criminality.
Savagery.
You want that too be televised...blacks getting arrested for riots. Smiling Hannitys and O'Reillys discussing the bad pathology of blacks. Then people will be happy that Obama got no further than the primary if these are his followers.
Its not about discontent and anger which include outspoken disagreement, possible protest, and organized either sit out or write in on the ballot which are all normal and effective ways of showing opposition. Mabye some of you dont know what a riot is...lets just say that you would NOT want to be caught in the middle of one!!