Have you ever wondered some things about a certain African American that you worked with or one that was a friend of a friend and just didn't know how to go about asking them a question or making a comment without being accused of being a racist, ignorant, or something else, well if so, feel free to read the following:
1. Black political leaders in the media do not speak for all African Americans. Chances are what you may have heard is not something that every black person you meet agrees with so please stop making assumptions!
2. What your great grandparents, grandparents or even your parents' opinions of black people will most likely be in conflict with how you feel. You see, many of them grew up during a time when races didn't get along with one another, so if that hasn't been your experience, then why hate?
3. Every black person doesn't like chicken, watermellon, R&B, Hip Hop and Rap music. Further, not every black person can sing, dance, or play sports well.
4. Not every black person talks "cool" and "hip."
5. Black women and men are not so sensitive that they can't handle communicating with you, so say, "Hello" some time. But the n-word is still a problem, so avoid it at all costs even if you are "down with the brown!"
Tuesday
It's Official -- President Elect is now President Barack Obama
I listened to the speech and between the rhetoric I heard the truth! The truth is that even Obama knows that some of this mess left behind by the Bush Administration and others will need a plan from God himself on how to clean it all up!
I didn't hear Obama say, "I..." much but I heard alot of "We" when it came to what mattered. From "the hope over fear..." statement to "we won't be defeated," President Obama clearly articulated that it's all about "us." The problem is I don't believe two million plus people heard the "we," because of the following: they were too busy celebrating the color of his skin; thinking about someone one day from the culture, race or creed looking like them standing at the podium; and reflecting on America's dark past of Jim Crow laws and other types of racism.
But the fact still remains that Obama can not and will not do it all by himself, so all these people sitting around "hoping Obama will do something..." better be working toward change in their own backyards starting with your own family!
If the economy looks bad, then look at what kind of spending is going on at the home front and what kind of additional income will you need to dig yourself out of your hole.
If the schools in your neighborhood aren't providing the kind of education you think your child deserves, then who is responsible for the PTA and who sits on the school board and when was the last time you organized a drive to buy what the school needs?
So you see as the two examples indicate, it starts with you not Obama. Yet, what I forsee in the future are alot of people who have allowed themselves to focus on the man and not the plan and when push comes to shove, they will find themselves wanting to shove everyone out the door but themselves!
Where were you on the day that Obama was sworn in? Maybe you were like me sleeping in late or sitting in front of the television, watching from your computer or listening by radio, wherever you were, the point is that's where many will be when it's time to roll up their sleeves and get to work!
I didn't hear Obama say, "I..." much but I heard alot of "We" when it came to what mattered. From "the hope over fear..." statement to "we won't be defeated," President Obama clearly articulated that it's all about "us." The problem is I don't believe two million plus people heard the "we," because of the following: they were too busy celebrating the color of his skin; thinking about someone one day from the culture, race or creed looking like them standing at the podium; and reflecting on America's dark past of Jim Crow laws and other types of racism.
But the fact still remains that Obama can not and will not do it all by himself, so all these people sitting around "hoping Obama will do something..." better be working toward change in their own backyards starting with your own family!
If the economy looks bad, then look at what kind of spending is going on at the home front and what kind of additional income will you need to dig yourself out of your hole.
If the schools in your neighborhood aren't providing the kind of education you think your child deserves, then who is responsible for the PTA and who sits on the school board and when was the last time you organized a drive to buy what the school needs?
So you see as the two examples indicate, it starts with you not Obama. Yet, what I forsee in the future are alot of people who have allowed themselves to focus on the man and not the plan and when push comes to shove, they will find themselves wanting to shove everyone out the door but themselves!
Where were you on the day that Obama was sworn in? Maybe you were like me sleeping in late or sitting in front of the television, watching from your computer or listening by radio, wherever you were, the point is that's where many will be when it's time to roll up their sleeves and get to work!
Friday
Every Now & Then Someone Will Remind You of the Color of Your Skin
I experienced it, people I know have told me stories about it, and others are still angry about it. The it, being the wrong color skin in certain circles.
From being followed in a store because someone who happens to have the same color of skin as you violated the store owner's trust, so now the entire race pays for what someone else has done because you look different from the rest.
What is it about being an African American in America or any color for that matter? Why is it that some will still remind you that you are different? Just when you think that you are being respected because you are a man or woman first, along comes someone to ask you a question that involves "you people..." or makes some comment about the color of your skin.
What's worse is even some of our own people are guilty of this.
Maybe I don't want to live today being reminded about someone treating me different because of my skin; instead could it be that I just have an attitude problem or they just don't like me just because? Why must we be reminded that something didn't happen for us because we are black, that someone asked us a question just because we are black, he or she followed us around the store because we are black, we got pulled over on the side of the road because we are black, the store clerk treated us different because we are black, we didn't get a certain opportunity because we are black...and the list goes on and on...
Just once could someone embrace us or reject us not because of the color of our skin?
From being followed in a store because someone who happens to have the same color of skin as you violated the store owner's trust, so now the entire race pays for what someone else has done because you look different from the rest.
What is it about being an African American in America or any color for that matter? Why is it that some will still remind you that you are different? Just when you think that you are being respected because you are a man or woman first, along comes someone to ask you a question that involves "you people..." or makes some comment about the color of your skin.
What's worse is even some of our own people are guilty of this.
Maybe I don't want to live today being reminded about someone treating me different because of my skin; instead could it be that I just have an attitude problem or they just don't like me just because? Why must we be reminded that something didn't happen for us because we are black, that someone asked us a question just because we are black, he or she followed us around the store because we are black, we got pulled over on the side of the road because we are black, the store clerk treated us different because we are black, we didn't get a certain opportunity because we are black...and the list goes on and on...
Just once could someone embrace us or reject us not because of the color of our skin?
Wednesday
Black Single Women & Males at Free Black Dating Services
We have seen too many black single women and males online at free black dating services. Thousands of black relationships and love are created from these free black dating sites. Seeking black singles online is easy to anybody today because we are living in this computer day. Black single women seeking black single males online are common in recent years. Some free black online dating services allow guests to search for any profile. When you decide to contact with any single woman or single man, you must be logged in. It means that you need to have a profile to contact other singles. Members should create a good detailed personal ad. You also need to upload your pictures.
When you search for other members, you would prefer to search for profiles with photos. Other single black people will do the same thing. In order to get contacted from other members, then you need to have a photo attached with your profile. Looking for black dates at free black dating sites is easy. All you have to do is to join these totally free black dating services. Looking for a date at the bars or nightclubs is traditional, which does not work out well. If it works, then it is just for short term. Online black dating services offer the means to find long term compatible relationships. Think about it this way, know exactly who you contact with after you read that person in detailed. You know what that person matches with you.
At the bars, you do not know anything about a single person you contact with, only the outlook. The inside beauty is more important. Long term relationships created by the inside beauty, not outlook. So, single black people meet each other online. After they know exactly the person they like, they will meet in face to face. Single black people seeking Internet dates at free black dating services have been spreading globally. Because of its convenience, singles can find a date for just a few simple clicks. Black singles save a lot of money and time when looking for love online. In the recent years, there are more single black males and black women registered their personal ads at these dating online services.
The main point is that black singles want to find a date online. You know for sure that these black singles who registered their personal ads at these free black dating services are available for a relationship. They are looking for dates. Can you flirt with someone you meet at the market or shopping center? The answer is no. The main reason is that you do not know if this person is single or not. That is why there are single black women looking for black men and black men seeking women at these black dating sites. Black dating singles should join free dating services to find love and romance online. Million of black online singles are waiting their partners. You need to join these totally free black dating services to meet that special dream mate.
By Amy Woodside
When you search for other members, you would prefer to search for profiles with photos. Other single black people will do the same thing. In order to get contacted from other members, then you need to have a photo attached with your profile. Looking for black dates at free black dating sites is easy. All you have to do is to join these totally free black dating services. Looking for a date at the bars or nightclubs is traditional, which does not work out well. If it works, then it is just for short term. Online black dating services offer the means to find long term compatible relationships. Think about it this way, know exactly who you contact with after you read that person in detailed. You know what that person matches with you.
At the bars, you do not know anything about a single person you contact with, only the outlook. The inside beauty is more important. Long term relationships created by the inside beauty, not outlook. So, single black people meet each other online. After they know exactly the person they like, they will meet in face to face. Single black people seeking Internet dates at free black dating services have been spreading globally. Because of its convenience, singles can find a date for just a few simple clicks. Black singles save a lot of money and time when looking for love online. In the recent years, there are more single black males and black women registered their personal ads at these dating online services.
The main point is that black singles want to find a date online. You know for sure that these black singles who registered their personal ads at these free black dating services are available for a relationship. They are looking for dates. Can you flirt with someone you meet at the market or shopping center? The answer is no. The main reason is that you do not know if this person is single or not. That is why there are single black women looking for black men and black men seeking women at these black dating sites. Black dating singles should join free dating services to find love and romance online. Million of black online singles are waiting their partners. You need to join these totally free black dating services to meet that special dream mate.
By Amy Woodside
Is Tyler Perry the only black producer that is moving and shaking these days?
Where are all the black producers and directors? I don't see them taking the spotlight these days like Tyler Perry. I guess they all had their day. But it would be nice to see more coverage about other blacks moving and shaking the movie and television world besides him. Don't get me wrong, I am glad that he is receiving all of this publicity these days with his two new shows House of Payne and Meet the Browns, his movies such as The Family that Preys and A Diary of a Mad Black Woman (which were both very good I might add,) but other black producers need to step up to the plate.
I don't know what makes him any different than others that came before him or maybe it really isn't him doing anything groundbreaking maybe it's society being more kinder to blacks (ie. Barack Obama warm reception to the White House.) But whatever it is I hope that the red carpet will continue to embrace more and more black producers and directors!
"My 2 cents worth" written by Nicholl McGuire
I don't know what makes him any different than others that came before him or maybe it really isn't him doing anything groundbreaking maybe it's society being more kinder to blacks (ie. Barack Obama warm reception to the White House.) But whatever it is I hope that the red carpet will continue to embrace more and more black producers and directors!
"My 2 cents worth" written by Nicholl McGuire
Tuesday
Black Folks Been Goin' Green
You may have heard the hype about "going green" basically what it means is buying, creating, and doing things that are environmentally friendly such as recycling plastic bottles. So I thought about this campaign to "go green" and I thought, "Hey black folks have been going green kinda for years now!"
Take for instance, when Christmas time rolls around some one in your family says, "Don't throw that wrapping paper out, I could use it next year!" They may even grab up those Christmas bags and boxes before you get a chance to see whether that was Santa or an elf on the outside before they are stored for the next gift giving season.
Let us not forget about freezer bags that have been used, washed out, and then dried for the next use. Throwing away aluminum foil that covered the top of a pot was a "big no no" at my grandma's home.
I also thought about plastic bottles, containers and glass that was used to store food, make homemade preserves or jelly and other similar uses that grandma still does to this very day.
Old spray bottles were also refilled with some special concotion for a variety of things including cleaning various parts of a car.
The way I remember it in the past and present, the black folks at least the ones I grew up with, were always going green. Glass bottles and any other item that could be exchanged for cash put a smile on anyone's face in the neighborhood.
There were also those old toilet paper and paper towel inner tubes, old tires, shoeboxes, milk crates, old underwear, tin cans and other reuseable garbage that made great toys, cleaning tools, kept things from leaking, used as organizers and much more!
Going green for black folks isn't anything new under the sun!
Written by Nicholl McGuire
Take for instance, when Christmas time rolls around some one in your family says, "Don't throw that wrapping paper out, I could use it next year!" They may even grab up those Christmas bags and boxes before you get a chance to see whether that was Santa or an elf on the outside before they are stored for the next gift giving season.
Let us not forget about freezer bags that have been used, washed out, and then dried for the next use. Throwing away aluminum foil that covered the top of a pot was a "big no no" at my grandma's home.
I also thought about plastic bottles, containers and glass that was used to store food, make homemade preserves or jelly and other similar uses that grandma still does to this very day.
Old spray bottles were also refilled with some special concotion for a variety of things including cleaning various parts of a car.
The way I remember it in the past and present, the black folks at least the ones I grew up with, were always going green. Glass bottles and any other item that could be exchanged for cash put a smile on anyone's face in the neighborhood.
There were also those old toilet paper and paper towel inner tubes, old tires, shoeboxes, milk crates, old underwear, tin cans and other reuseable garbage that made great toys, cleaning tools, kept things from leaking, used as organizers and much more!
Going green for black folks isn't anything new under the sun!
Written by Nicholl McGuire
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African American Planet: Relationships, Education, Products & Lifestyle by Nicholl McGuire is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
Based on a work at africanamericanplanet.blogspot.com.
