Buck Yo Feer

After BeerGate 2009 has come and gone, I’ve concluded that this contrived interaction has infuriated me more than the original incident that occurred with Sgt. Crowley and Prof. Gates. Don’t ask me what I was expecting, because I’m honestly not completely certain what I thought would result from this lemon squeezer. Nonetheless, I am confident in my assertion that this attempt at diplomacy has done nothing to improve race relations. If anything, this has ensured that unspoken racial tensions that have existed will continue, if not worsen.

I know I’ve made some absurd declarations in the past about various topics. However, this for some reason evokes an unusual amount of emotion within me. It’s been what, nine days this spectacle took place and in forty minutes I am supposed to embrace this “teachable lesson” because two black dudes and two white guys had a “brew” at the White House? The lingering sentiment composed by two social science/race connoisseurs concluded; its okay to disagree. How. Incredibly. Profound. Oh and our President’s thoughts on this historical discussion? Silence. I know!! That’s what I find the most unsettling about this event.

See I’m a Political commentary junkie, so I love to hear various intellectual perspectives on current events, relevant or otherwise. As a result for the past nine days I’ve viewed advocates from both sides argue on their parties behalf. In the midst of these often heated exchanges, our beloved President has been accused of playing racial favoritism. To combat this attempt, resolutions have been arose in the Senate proposing that the President formally apologize to the Cambridge Police Department. Why? Because he answered a question about this loaded incident with * gasp* his personal opinion. Consequently he had to host an artificial tea party that was intended to make the majority feel better about the subjectivity of minorities in positions of power to appear non threatening.

Then, the day of reconciliation has finally approached. The moment of truth we have all been awaiting has passed … and an outwardly shallow summit proved itself to be just that. Had I have posted this a few days ago, the tone would have been different. Honestly it probably would have consisted of myself praising the President for his attempt at a symbolic moment to move forward with race relations. Nevertheless, I now deem this 2400 second conversation an attempt to keep our socially popular yet Politically floundering President, in the good graces of the dominant culture.
Maybe if something simple would have changed, like the get together being held within the confinements of the White House walls without the awkward interaction, I would believe it was more genuine therefore more influential. Yet unfortunately I surmised that this conversation and the bland commentary following this dialogue ultimately reinforced Attorney General Eric Holder’s “judgmental” comments that took place during Black History Month:

“Though this nation has proudly thought of itself as an ethnic melting pot, in things racial we have always been and I believe continue to be, in too many ways, essentially a nation of cowards.”
Oh well, that’s what I get for actually believing that there was only one America. Plus, the homie has to get reelected. Sure… that’s it.

JUNGLE MONKEY!

(CNN) -- A Boston, Massachusetts, police officer who sent a mass e-mail in which he referred to Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. as "banana-eating" and a "bumbling jungle monkey" has been placed on administrative leave and faces losing his job.
Officer Justin Barrett, 36, who is also an active member of the National Guard, sent an e-mail to some fellow Guard members, as well as the Boston Globe, in which he vented his displeasure with a July 22 Globe column about Gates' controversial arrest.
The columnist, Yvonne Abraham, supported Gates' actions, asking readers, "Would you stand for this kind of treatment, in your own home, by a police officer who by now clearly has no right to be there?"
In his e-mail, which was posted on a local Boston television station's Web site, Barrett declared that if he had "been the officer he verbally assaulted like a banana-eating jungle monkey, I would have sprayed him in the face with OC [oleoresin capsicum, or pepper spray] deserving of his belligerent noncompliance."
Barrett used the "jungle monkey" phrase four times, three times referring to Gates and once referring to Abraham's writing as "jungle monkey gibberish."
He also declared he was "not a racist but I am prejudice [sic] towards people who are stupid and pretend to stand up and preach for something they say is freedom but it is merely attention because you do not get enough of it in your little fear-dwelling circle of on-the-bandwagon followers."
According to a statement from Boston police, Commissioner Edward Davis took action immediately upon learning of Barrett's remarks, stripping the officer of his gun and badge. Barrett is "on administrative leave pending the outcome of a termination hearing."

CNN has been unable to reach Barrett for comment.
Davis wants Barrett, a two-year veteran of the Boston police force, fired, a source close to the investigation said. But Barrett will continue to be paid while on administrative leave, and no date has been set for his termination hearing.
Barrett, who identified himself as a veteran and a former English teacher, also took issue with Abraham's journalistic ability, calling her "a hot little bird with minimal experience in a harsh field," as well as "an infidel." The rambling e-mail also suggested that she "should serve me coffee and donuts on Sunday morning," later returning to that line of thought with, "I like a warm cruller and hot Panamanian, black. No sugar."
The Boston Police Patrolmen's Association was also quick to condemn the comments, describing them as "offensive and hurtful." The organization sought to assure citizens that "these statements are not representative of the ideals held by the dedicated police officers who make up this proud association."

"Everytime a woman cuts her hair, somewhere a Black girl cries" Tasha Mack - The Game

No need to cry little Black girl, it will grow again. Pictured above is Solange Knowles who is typically identified as Beyonce's little sister. Using her music to shift away from that image she has attempted to step away from her sibling's shadow however, she has literally SHED this image by cutting off her hair. While people have negatively criticized her for this act of rebellion, I commend her for her following statements:

[I] dont. need. your. attention. or. your. co-sign. dont. want. a. edge. up. or a perm. because. im not trying. to make this “a style” or a statement. i. just. wanted. to. be. free. from. the. bondage. that. black. women sometimes. put. on. themselves. with. hair. this. phase. of. my. life. i. want to spend . the time. the energy. and the money. on something else. not in the hair salon. im. not. mad. at . all of you. that have made your opinions known. and have sent negative. energy
. my way. i expected this of you. you. have. the right to have. an opinion. so. do. i.

Shout out to Concrete Loop

While I don't necessarily care for Solange as an entertainer, I respect her braveness and appreciate her identifying the insecurities black women have with their hair. You don't have to agree with it, but you damn sure should respect that she was bold enough to do something that most of us are afraid to do with our precious locks; cut the ties and start over, literally.

Sensitive Roots: Humorous or Offensive

The original No Lyerz conceived the concept of this blog based upon the connection that we as Black women have with our hair. Right now, we are both undergoing the process of growing our hair natural, which entails a process in which maintaining our manes becoming seemingly impossible to tame. While I have chosen to undertake the lazy option of often pulling my hair up, my PIC (Partner In Crime) recently exercise her option of the sew in. I think that is a wonderful lead in to the video below, a commercial from the new Q& A gurus KGB.



I especially felt obligated to bring this video to the forefront because I have noticed a shift in the amount of black women transitioning to Natural hair. Nonetheless the disapproval of rejecting a relaxer from my encounters seem consistent within our community. While this commercial was meant to entertain, and potentially "culturally connect", it hits a nerve when it comes to black women and their hair. Notice the kinkiness, and lack of attractiveness in the women who are receiving their new dos. Why is it that we in our original state feel undesirable? And was it offensive for KGB to shed light in this manner on a common question as it relates to black hair care?

I personally became annoyed at the vernacular and appearance of the women but I also know people who would associate their appearance with the state of their hair. Therefore I was not completely shocked at their portrayal. Nonetheless, I am still interested in knowing what your reaction may have been, had this commercial come across your television screen. Are you entertained, or offended?

Endangered Black Men

It looks like we have lost another Black man to senslessness, and Vernon Forrest is the newest notable victim. Forrest, notoriously known handing Sugar Shane Mosely his first defeat was killed in what appears to be a robbery. I literally knew nothing of this man nor his accomplishments, yet it brings light to the unfortunate situation we struggle with within the Black community, homicide and the death of our men. How many black men must we lose in the public eye before this issue becomes priority within our community?
Yes we discuss the issue, but what is being done to prevent it? What gun laws are in place to ensure the safety of our young people? So what do you think, isolated situation, or is this a microcosm of our larger problems? I'm unsure, but I tell you as someone who is the sister of two black men, its disheartening and terrifying to see the rates in which our men are dissipating and makes me feel rather helpless. How about you?

Racism Vs. Paranoia

With the confirmation hearings of Judge Sotomayor coming to an end this week and the NAACP celebrating its first Birthday, there's no doubt this post racial society that we were supposed to be living in far from nonexistent. While race has typically always been an issue for people of color, it appears that white America is slowly adding themselves to the conversation in subtle ways, and apparently its not always warranted. Below is a video of Senator Barbara Boxer in a hearing with the CEO of the Black Chamber of Commerce, Harry C. Alford in which they discuss job creations with climate change.

Boxer insists that jobs are present in California and she has a statement from the NAACP and 100 Black Men President in Atlanta to convey this success. However, these are both civic groups and Alford was offended that Boxer turned this into a racial issue.While I simply interpreted Sen. Boxer to be rude, (which she is often characterized as), many, including Alford are labeling her a racist for this exchange.
The question of whether or not she would have used race groups for a white man in his position has arisen and I found that I could not legitimately say yes, the hearing would have continued in the same manner. Nonetheless, I am acknowledging that Mr. Alford is the President of a race specific group that could have contributed with her using those two examples as a litmus test. Honestly, I still have mixed feelings about it, so I would like to solicit your responses on this spectacle.

Women In The White House

Check out our current youtube video feature. President Obama introduced one of the new White House initiatives in support of an effort to diminish societal constraints on the success and achievements women and girls.I am pleased to say that this was the first bill signed in to law upon President Obama's entry to the White House. I am inspired that there is support for the shattering of glass ceilings everywhere. Please take some time to view this and tell us what you think!


P.Barnes

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Thank you for taking your time to stop by our Blog, we look forward to keeping you entertained with witty commentary about all things discussion worthy. We are currently developing a channel for our actual video blog so look out for that, it should be up within the week, and we promise to discussion poppin by no later than Friday. If you would like to aid us in the commentary, the more the merrier! Just hit us up at No.Lyerz@Gmail.com . Again, thanks for the love!!


C. Brown