Category: Yep I Have Opinions…

When Keeping It Real Goes Wrong… Or did it?

When Keeping It Real Goes Wrong… Or did it?

by Ranada ♥ 3 Comments

So yesterday, when the clip of Shirley Sherrod came out, I was so disappointed in her.  Here’s the clip.

Why would she set herself up like that, I said.  There is a such thing as oversharing, ma’am!  Why would you make a public speech and a tell a story about how you didn’t give someone your best because he wasn’t black.  Whether you think it’s personally acceptable or not, you know it goes against work ethics.  Further, you know that as a black woman in America, you can’t go around revealing that you’ve done stuff like that.  What did you expect?!

I ranted, and I cosigned to other rants about the lack of professionalism.

Then, I got an email from Color of Change and decided to watch the entire video.

QUITE a different story.  Ms. Sherrod’s actual point was that through a real-world scenario she learned that racism is not the only problem that plagues this country–classism is pervasive as well and has to be overcome.  Ms. Sherrod’s story is about how the first time she had to help a white farmer save his farm, she wasn’t too enthused.  She was thinking, I don’t have to do much because I can just take him to “his own kind” and they’ll take care of him. She soon found out, though, that “his own kind” didn’t give a cat’s patootie about this poor farmer, even cheating him out of his money while not doing the legal work “his own kind” was being paid to do.  Ms. Sherrod stepped back in and used all of her resources to keep this man’s farm off the auction block.  The story is about overcoming one perceived reality and learning just how important her job was in the lives of these rural stakeholders.  She is reminding us that sometimes we have to get past “color” and recognize the “oppressed” and help them, a point that I think most of us would appreciate.

So why didn’t we know that yesterday?  Why were we misled by even the NAACP on her comments?  Why did the White House even fully back the Agriculture Secretary’s decision to ask for and accept Ms. Sherrod’s resignation?

I’ll tell you why.  Because the media has power that is unimaginable and because people do not do their due diligence, even when they hold someone else’s future in their hands.

I’m disappointed in myself.  I am.  I KNOW better than to take someone’s word for it (even the NAACP, unfortunately) without doing my own research to come up with my opinion.  I am fully aware of how people’s words can be manipulated to suit agendas.

I am also disappointed in the NAACP, who definitely should not have taken someone else’s clip and made statements against Ms. Sherrod in the media.  She was speaking before an NAACP local chapter’s banquet, for goodness sake!! It’s THEIR tape ultimately.  It’s not enough to me that today they rescinded their statements.  They should have reviewed the video in the first place and stood up for this woman and the speech that was presented.  Do they not have faith in their own organization that they aren’t confident that they wouldn’t have asked her to speak if she weren’t going to give an inspiring and educational message (as she did)?  The ball was definitely dropped.

I am also disappointed in Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack for taking the clip and running with it.  As her superior, he has access to her record and should have given her the benefit of the doubt long enough to review the whole tape. Actually, even if he didn’t give her the benefit of the doubt, he should have reviewed the whole tape.  I mean really.  Do you really request someone’s resignation without all the facts?  Especially if she was asserting to him that the clip was taken out of context.

I am, in addition, disappointed in the White House for fully supporting Vilsack’s decision without watching the whole video.  It didn’t dawn on anyone that maybe Ms. Sherrod wasn’t blowing smoke and that the clip could have blown out of proportion?  Or are they just willy nilly handing over support to any government agency head that needs it?

Who am I not disappointed in?  The right-wing manipulators who saw a prime opportunity and took advantage of it.  They have been battling these Tea Party issues, and they saw an opening to use the media and coerce everyone into thinking about something else for awhile.  They succeeded.  Even if just for a day.

This is a lesson to us all that we should wait until we have full (or close to full) information before jumping up on a soapbox and/or a bandwagon and condemning people.  We should wait until we have enough details to really determine what has happened, especially if we have power and influence.

Watch the video.  If you agree with me that Ms. Sherrod should be reinstated in her position, please visit this link, and make your voice heard.

<<< ::Update:: >>>

Since, the following articles and videos have hit the net.  Tell em, Ms. Sherrod.

http://www.cnn.com/video/?/video/politics/2010/07/21/am.shirley.sherrod.interview.cnn

http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/07/21/agriculture.employee.usda/index.html?hpt=C2

Re: “the bittersweet” feelings she has, I feel her.  I wouldn’t blame her if she didn’t accept the position if it’s offered back.  As my mom told me earlier: Damage control is a bitch, ain’t it?

http://www.cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/us/2010/07/20/ricks.sherrod.martin.cnn.html

Boo @ Roland.  Why is he not even letting her talk?  You didn’t listen to her yesterday (as many of us didn’t), and you still aren’t today!  Sir, apologize for jumping to conclusions and then make whatever point you were trying to make.  Someone on Twitter said that she still overshared, and I don’t agree.  That clip didn’t even almost include her entire story (beyond the entire speech).  How do you tell someone how to get past racism if you can’t present a personal experience that ended in her getting past it and helping someone she never would have considered just as vigorously as she would have those she was in the position to help.  Big picture here, folks.  We’re not talking about someone who evolved over a long period of time, who mistreated a white farmer or two and then saw the error of her ways.  When she first MET the white farmer, she sized him up but even then, she didn’t deny him help–she sent him to someone she believed would help him.  When that help didn’t come, she evolved and came to learn that people don’t always just care about color–they care about who has and who doesn’t, and she helped him.  Now, if lil ole me got that from her speech, I don’t get why it’s so difficult to get.  I mean, I know I may be smarter than the average bear, but geez.  I would expect a little more from Mr. Martin.

The following video after the Roland Martin one is a little disconcerting too.  I appreciate that she is finally heard and that the farmers involved are heard, but the interviewer clearly still hasn’t watched the video!!

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/top/all/7118301.html

Soon after, the Rev. Al Sharpton said black leaders should refrain from calling on the administration to apologize, saying that creates the impression that black leadership is fractured. “We are only greasing the rails for the right wing to run a train through our ambitions and goals for having civil and human rights in this country,” Sharpton said.

Al, I’m usually with you, but seriously?  If the administration had the wherewithal to make a statement backing the gross overreaction by Vilsack, then it had the responsibility to apologize after finding out the whole thing was a ploy to counter racism claims and not even substantiated.  C’mon, Al.

In political matters, we HAVE to do better at showing up prepared for battle and not being bullied into battle before you’ve had a chance to know what you’re fighting about.  Why was responding to the Tea Party and FOX News guy more important than understanding the situation itself?

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2010/07/shirley_sherrod_blasts_fox_new.html

And there it is.

<<< ::Another update:: >>>

Breaking news: USDA boss says sorry, offers Sherrod civil rights job

<<< ::Newest update:: >>>

Here’s NPR’s report.

Injustice – Once Again

Injustice – Once Again

by Ranada ♥ 3 Comments

The verdict of the Johannes Mehserle trial came in.  He was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter.  Guilty – yes.  Involuntary manslaughter – no.

For those of you who may not know, Johannes Mehserle is a former Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) police officer who shot Oscar Grant in the back while lying face-down on the Oakland subway platform.  How is that involuntary?  Where is the justice?  Did the jury really believe this trained police officer’s story that he thought he had pulled his taser?  Even if it was a mistake (which I don’t buy), why would he have even needed a taser?

At some point, police brutality and misconduct needs to be addressed.  I firmly believe that police officers should live in the communities they protect and serve.  They should be community stakeholders and invested in the wellbeing of the communities.  They should not be people who react and respond out of malice or even fear because they aren’t in tune with those areas.

Now I don’t know all the circumstances surrounding Mehserle and his employment with BART.  I do know, however, that it’s a downright shame that a police officer can be caught on video shooting an unarmed man who is lying face-down on the floor in the back and not be charged or convicted of murder. This crime was indeed NOT involuntary.  It was reckless, unnecessary, and senseless.

I hope that in the aftermath of the Mehserle verdict, the riots cease and that community leaders, along with community members, start really considering strategic implementation of efforts to prevent such travesties.  We have to protect, not destroy, our communities. Reactionary, unproductive violence is definitely not the answer.

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:21

Jitney

Jitney

by Ranada ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

This afternoon, a friend of mine and I went to the Alliance Theatre and enjoyed a great production written by the great August Wilson called Jitney.

Set in 1977 in a jitney stop (car service) in Pittsburgh, this production explored a range of topics still relevant to the black community, including the disconnect between generations, alcoholism, the role of men in households and families, love and forgiveness, the importance of communication between romantic partners, the effects of war on young soldiers, the lack of support for small businesses in some cities, and the list goes on.  This would have made for a great Reads and Reels discussion!

In addition to the  great music played between scenes (classics like Marvin Gaye’s “Got to Give It Up”), I really enjoyed the light banter and surefire black lingo infused into the script. The characters were real to me because I could definitely hear my daddy talking like these guys were. Although the plot was very heavy overall, the production made good use of comic relief.

It made me smile to see so many black folk at the theatre, supporting the arts. If you haven’t seen it, make sure to put this on your list of things to do this month. Jitney runs through June 27.

I want it all!

I want it all!

by Ranada ♥ 9 Comments

From the time I thought that boys were no longer icky and were worthy of interest, endless thoughts, and daydreams, I’ve always had a “type”.  Of course, physical characteristics were always important–my mom always told me “you have to wake up to him in the morning” and “you need to think of your kids.” But if we took a look at all the guys I’ve ever crushed on or dated, I think one thing they mostly all had in common was that they were strong personalities dipped in lots of charm.  I don’t know what it is, but I’ve always liked that guy who loves (or at least is comfortable in) the spotlight, knows everybody there is to know, and spends his time mapping out and taking action toward his passions.  And many times I’ve blamed this insatiable desire for my dating woes.  The guys I actually liked back were the guys with girls chasing them down the block (no, really–one ex had a girl chase him down State St, 220, and Northside Drive in Jackson in a car, but that’s another story) and doing whatever they can to divert his attention; the guys whose dreams were so big that they didn’t know how or didn’t want to juggle, and I never knew if I’d ever be a sizable priority in their lives.

Yet, I have not been willing to (or maybe even able to) take this characteristic off my “list”.  There’s just something about a guy who has mastered his social skills and oozes a certain self-confidence and who is all about doing something major while he’s on earth that makes me fan myself. And I’m fine with that.  Why? Because I think as we get older, I’m more likely to find the sharp, charismatic guy who is that able to provide me with the balance that has been missing for so long (and yes this is an ambiguous statement–I need help with my own balance and he needs to have some level of balance on his own).  We’re all growing into ourselves, right? So once we know what we want, including our partner–don’t we do want we have to do to manage all things important?

So I said all that to introduce an interesting Twitter convo that made me say hmmm.

JHJeffers: RT @DGJ_1977: RT @RHYMEFEST: So ladies be careful what you ask for, because loving ambitious, charismatic & powerful men comes with a cost.

Me: Which is? RT @JHJeffers: RT @RHYMEFEST: So ladies be careful what u ask for bc loving ambitious, charismatic & powerful men comes w a cost.

JHJeffers: @NadaJo: Powerful men often have a strong desire to control and have egos that are out of this world

Me: A few r humble but I can c it RT @JHJeffers @NadaJo: Powerful men often have a strong desire to control&have egos that are out of this world

JHJeffers: @NadaJo ‎​Charismatic men are super flirtatious and sometimes cross the line

Me: I see RT @JHJeffers: @NadaJo ‎​Charismatic men are super flirtatious and sometimes cross the line

JHJeffers: @NadaJo Ambitious men spend long hours working, Sometimes @ the expense of marriage

Me: Mm hmm RT @JHJeffers: @NadaJo Ambitious men spend long hours working, Sometimes @ the expense of marriage

Me: @JHJeffers so basically we ladies who like pwrful, charismatic, ambitious men need to also pray that he has humility, self-ctrl, and balance

Me: #icandothat

JHJeffers: @NadaJo: Yeeeaaaahhhhh, but I would just shoot for 2 out of 3 #imjustsaying

HarlemFaith: (Well said) RT @NadaJo so we ladies who like pwrful, charismatic, ambitious men need to pray he has humility, self-ctrl, and balance

HarlemFaith: @NadaJo I don’t know if I agree with everything @jhjeffers is saying.. but it’s interesting.

Me (knowing this will turn into a blog post, maybe even a series cuz this is getting good! heehee): What do u think? RT @HarlemFaith: @NadaJo I don’t know if I agree with everything @jhjeffers is saying.. but it’s interesting.

HarlemFaith: @NadaJo @jhjeffers I don’t like the fact that the argument seemed so segmented and over generalized. Yes, those characteristics make ppl

HarlemFaith: @nadajo @jhjeffers successful but powerful men(and women) in lasting relationships know when to turn them on and off.

HarlemFaith: @nadajo @jhjeffers too much of anything is bad…. and there’s a time and place for everything.

HarlemFaith: @nadajo @jhjeffers… I want my man to be just as ambitious as I am.. (and he is) when we are together that energy is directed towards me.

HarlemFaith: For a while, me and many of my counterparts were told that our ambitious, agressive personalities were the reason we didn’t have a man

HarlemFaith: I disagree.. I think there is a time and place for anything. and the key to a successful relationship without losing who you are is figuring out how to channel that intense energy.. and use it for good. lol. Use those same skills to please your man.

HarlemFaith: I’m a big proponent of playing my “position”. I can be your woman (opinionated and all) but still allow you to be the man.

Me: YES! RT @HarlemFaith I’m a big proponent of playing my “position”. I can be ur woman (opinionated & all) but still allow you to be the man.

The convo is still going on.  But I’ll do a poll.  Can we (I) have it all?  Is it possible to have what we want plus the balance needed to make the relationship last and thrive?  Do we have to choose between the power, charisma, and ambition and the devotion and dedication?  Chime in!

Painting by Numbers is still fun!

Painting by Numbers is still fun!

by Ranada ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

A group of friends and I helped to paint this past Saturday night.

Perfect for date night or a  group activity with friends, Paint by Numb3rs definitely made for a relaxing yet involved evening.  My friends and I painted, talked, laughed, shopped for jewelry from a vendor set up in the gallery, and walked around and enjoyed the artwork on display.  What I found particularly fantastic is that the paintings resulting from Paint by Numb3rs are donated to charity and are auctioned off as fundraisers.  So, not only did we paint in boxes with numbers in them to let us know what color to use, but we also contributed to someone in need.  Next time you’re looking for something different to do on a Saturday night, check out Paint by Numb3rs!

Support the Atlanta Tougaloo Alumni Chapter!

Support the Atlanta Tougaloo Alumni Chapter!

by Ranada ♥ 1 Comment

I know I’ve been slippin on my blog pimpin, but just bear with me.  In the meanwhile, please visit ATAC’s new website!

And purchase your tickets today for the annual Gospel Extravaganza!

You're invited to a night of fellowship and praise!
My Neighborhood Movie Theater is reopening!

My Neighborhood Movie Theater is reopening!

by Ranada ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

This AJC article made my day.  I am a firm believer in spending your money where you pay your taxes.  This movie theater is my local theater, and I was really sad at the end of the last year when it closed.  I wasn’t even in town to see one more movie!  I haven’t been to the movies half as much since its closure–for several reasons, including the fact that the other theater near my house isn’t as reliable (think late starting and unfocused movies).

Beyond that, though, I think this is a newsworthy topic because as soon as I posted the article on Facebook, I got comments about how hood this theater and the mall are.  Well…  Part of the reason they’re “hood” is because they’ve been abandoned by the very people who would make a difference.  I have neighbors who will drive 20 minutes to a crowded theater in a neighborhood they will never live in to not be around “the element” just to find those folks in “the element” who actually have cars met them there.

Now, I’m no fool.  I know not to go to Greenbriar on the opening night of a Madea movie.  Wait–I don’t go see Madea movies anywhere on opening night (I probably won’t see them in a theater at any time–just not my thing).  I haven’t seen the excessive dirtiness people cite when talking about this theater.  And I’m a movie LOVER so I have been to some theaters in my day.  The workers are polite (and probably will always be because I’m a regular and I’m always polite too), and I see them cleaning after each movie like I do in other theaters.  I’ve been to this theater at all times of day and into the night. With friends and by myself (yes, I love movies that much).  I’ve never been mugged. I’ve never heard gunshots. I’ve never felt concerned for my safety.  In fact, there have been times that workers or security guards make a point, without being asked, to watch me to my car if I’m unescorted.

When people with the resources patronize their neighborhood businesses, then maybe it won’t be such a struggle to keep those businesses open.  Greenbriar does not have as many offerings as other malls, but guess why?? Because the demographics of the people shopping there don’t attract the kind of businesses that could actually flourish there if the demographics of the neighborhood were the consideration.  But if the folks who live there aren’t going there, then businesses aren’t going to cater to them.  In my dreams, Greenbriar would have stores that would bring people to our area and spend their dollars.  But we can’t attract others if people would rather go to the Cumberland Macy’s, even if they don’t need to shop anywhere but Macy’s, when there’s a Macy’s down the street.  And at risk of people stealing my secrets, my Macy’s is a great one because I can ALWAYS find my size in suits because I don’t have to worry about people in my income demographic going over there to purchase them.  (Unfortunately, I have a shoe size that isn’t as easy to find. Poo.)

So! Am I ashamed of being happy and excited that Greenbriar has new investors and my theater is reopening? NO!  Am I happy yet another beauty supply store is being opened? No, but that’s a part of the reality.  I hope people will start patronizing the businesses in their neighborhood so that the businesses desired will have a reason to be there.  The proverbial “element” is in control when “the element” is the only group vested in or supporting area businesses.  Kinda like the Census (in which I hope all of you will participate)–you gotta be counted to count.

Happy Love Day!

Happy Love Day!

by Ranada ♥ 1 Comment

It’s Love Day, and I pray each of you has a wonderful day, using this day as one more day to tell your loved ones (family, friends, and flames) you care AND to look in the mirror and love yourself.

Now, I’ve heard all the banter about how Valentines Day is a commercial holiday, we shouldn’t celebrate, we should tell people we love them everyday, blahblahblah….  BUT–in my humble opinion, there’s nothing wrong with spending a special day, dedicated to love, just reinforcing your feelings for those around you (and within you).  It’s up to you if you want to spend all your money + some you don’t have.  There are tons of creative and cheap ways to make people feel special on Love Day.  Even when I don’t have a special someone (besides myself), I still take the time to show my love on this day.  And I also take some time to rest and enjoy being in my skin on this day.  If you don’t love yourself, whose responsibility is it??

So before I get back to showing love to Smokie (my dog), I’ll leave you with a quote and a download. 🙂

There is no fear in love.  But perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment.  The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. -1 John 4:18-20

In the midst of heartbreak and disappointment, it’s hard to move on sometimes.  But I submit that if we can keep in our minds and hearts that all  that happens is according to His Will and keep misfortunes in the right perspective, we can be fearless in love–romantic, brotherly, etc.  We can love, not knowing what the future holds.  We can love, not knowing if the recipient will love us back.  We can love, even if the recipient doesn’t appreciate us.  Enjoy the moment! Don’t spend all your time worrying about what may happen–if it does, you’ll have plenty of time to deal with it.  Be in the here and now.

Love is not only a feeling–it’s an action.  Love is that commandment that is most important but probably the hardest to keep.  Sometimes we don’t even love ourselves like we should!  So let’s focus on love today!

For you music lovers out there, visit the Teedra Moses website today–she has a free download today of her new album, Royal Patience.  Also, you can get your copy of In Search Of at the Brandon Hines website.  Happy Valentines Day!