CNN’s Weekend Ghetto: Frederika Whitfield & Ali Velshi. Is There A White Out During The Week For Reporters Of Colour On Television?
Every Saturday afternoon on CNN Frederika Whitfield and Ali Velshi are on the air on CNN. Whitfield and Velshi are also reporters of colour. There is a term used to describe mainstream networks that tends to have their reporters of colour on television during the weekends. The term is called the “Weekend Ghetto.”
Michelle Obama On The View: I Love Michelle Obama!!!
I notice the Republican party and even the Occidental media are constantly “attacking” Michelle Obama and I was trying to figure out the reasons why. Why does Cindy McCain always get off so easy yet Mrs. Obama is getting all the grief? The reason Michelle Obama is being attacked relates to both racism and sexism. If you watch the clip from “The View” I agree with Whoopi Goldberg’s comment that Michelle represents a positive image of black women. Thank you Whoopi girlfriend for speaking the truth!
The representations of black women in the Occident tends to be very racist and sexist. The media would rather the public pay attention to the stupid games of supermodel Naomi Campbell then the elegant sophisticated Michelle Obama. Naomi Campbell is the kind of stereotype of black womanhood the mainstream loves. Michelle shatters these racist and sexist stereotypes she is a hard working, intelligent, beautiful black woman and she doesn’t take crap from anybody.
The American media of course are going to “attack” Michelle Obama because they want to remind her because she is a black woman she has ” stay in her place”.
Where are the mainstream liberal feminist groups? Why aren’t the feminists rallying to support Michelle Obama? Laura Bush defended Michelle Obama and I was surprised. At least Laura Bush the current first lady has enough class to speak up and say Mrs. Obama was being unfairly attacked. The question has to be asked why are the white heterosexual liberal feminists silent?
Oops I forgot white liberal feminist organizations such as the NOW Organization are too busy supporting their “white sister” Senator Hillary Clinton. After all in the mainstream white heterosexual feminist movement white heterosexual women are at the front of the bus and women of colour are supposed to be silent at the back.Let’s not forget white heterosexual women have white skin privilege, access to power through the marriage market, patriarchy, and the resources of the Mythical Norm.
Also don’t think for a moment that the mainstream white feminist groups aren’t racist against Mrs. Obama because she’s an outspoken black woman. Michelle Obama has a lot of power she is Barack’s wife. According to the information I have learned there is no way Hillary Clinton is going to be Barack’s Vice President candidate. The racist and misandrist attacks against Barack Obama from some white heterosexual feminists such as Gloria Steinem and Geraldine Ferraro must not be forgotten.
Now Hillary has lost her opportunity to become the first white female USA president I doubt white feminist groups would bother to stand up for Michelle Obama. Remember the 1982 black feminist classic “All The Women Are White, All The Blacks Are Men, But Some Of Us Are Brave” edited by Gloria T Hull, Patricia Bell Scott, and Barbara Smith?
Everyone should take the time to read “All The Women Are White, All The Blacks Are Men, But Some Of Us Are Brave” it is the essence of black feminism and it points out why black people we must support one another.
The book also points out the fact there is a racial divide in the feminist movement. The genesis of “All The Women Are White, All The Blacks Are Men, But Some Of Us Are Brave” is to uplift black women and black people to realize the more we help ourselves the better off we will be.
“All The Women Are White, All The Blacks Are Men, But Some of Us Are Brave” highlights the fact black women are treated as invisible by black men, white men, and also white women. Black women are often being forced into a tug of war to choose between their race and gender. “All The Women Are White, All The Blacks Are Men, But Some Of Us Are Brave” points out black women should not choose. Racial and sexual oppression affects black women’s lives and these issues cannot be ignored.
In the book black feminists such as Patricia Bell Scott, Gloria T Hull, Barbara Smith, and other black female scholars break down the reasons why black feminism is so important. You can get a copy of “All The Women Are White, All The Blacks Are Men, But Some Of Us Are Brave” at the local public library.
Michelle Obama is in unchartered territory she is a very strong opinionated black woman and white America can’t handle that. It is ludicrous and ignorant for white people to suddenly think Mrs. Obama should forget about the issue of “race”, “gender”, and “class” just because her husband is the Democratic Party Candidate. I honestly believe there is a fear in the mainstream of Michelle Obama and the right wing are trying to neutralize her by saying she’s “too black”.
It is clear to me if you read between the lines Michelle Obama is viewed in the Occident as being “too black.” Remember Michelle’s comment about “being proud of my country.” The white media and the Republicans had a field day with Michelle’s comment. However, what right do white people have to tell a black woman about America’s turbulent history?
Yes, now in America there are more “opportunities” for people of colour to rise up the social ladder in North America. However, the “change” is still not over and it would be foolish for people to suggest racism and sexism no longer exists. The racist and sexist attitude of the Occident is that Michelle Obama is “complaining”. The racist attitude is black people we should just “forget” the past and move on. We cannot just forget history and turn the page because history can also be repeated.
Does being too black mean Michelle Obama should just ignore the incredible racism and sexism in North American society against black women? Yes, Barack Obama is making history in America and the world by winning the Democratic Party nomination. Finally, it appears change is taking place in North America and it is about damn time. However, Barack Obama is still not in the White House yet. Despite the Occident claiming that “change” is occurring doesn’t mean white liberals and white Republicans really want social change to occur either.
The Occident are far too busy trying to paint Mrs. Obama as though she is the classic stereotypical angry black woman. Michelle Obama is a breath of fresh air she’s such a shrewd politician she will not allow the Occident to get away with attacking her.
We are so conditioned in society to accept “whiteness” as the center of the universe that we don’t even question it. bell hooks reminds us in her outstanding book “Outlaw Culture” we must be “enlightened witnesses” to racism and sexism. Fox News has the audacity to call Mrs. Obama a “baby mama”. The term is offensive but Fox News reeks of racism. First off, Michelle Obama is a married woman she is not a “baby mama”. Would Fox News ever make such a racism and sexism comment about Cindy MCain? Of course not.
I applaud Michelle and Barack Obama for all their hard work I think for some people they really can’t handle the fact black people are now in powerful political positions. The anger in the Occident is they really don’t want to see the United States have a black president they would prefer the status quo the Mythical Norm.
South Asian Man’s Black Wife Allegedly Murdered By His Father
Oh my goodness I just heard about a tragic tale about interracial love that ended in murder in Atlanta. When people talk about racial tensions it is usually between people of colour and the majority. Yet the question has to be asked, why does the public ignore the racism between communities of colour? For instance, in Canada and the United States there is racial tension between the blacks, Asians, Hispanics, and Native American communities.
In the Caribbean, in Trinidad and Tobago, and Guyana the racial tensions between the blacks and South Asian populations are intense. Just because blacks and South Asians tend to have a darker skin tone doesn’t mean our cultures, histories, languages, values, aren’t different? Why is there this reticence to the racial divide? Can healing take place?
The story goes like this a young South Asian man fell in love with a young African American woman woman at his workplace. After the courtship the couple had a child and got married. However, tragedy emerges when the black wife is brutally murdered. Rumors are swirling in Atlanta that the father of the South Asian man was the mastermind behind the murder here is the link:
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5h7g2ACI64AF0_VlASOV9yDXgpLTAD91BEP280
I Love Nandita Das She Is An Amazing Actress!
Although, younger South Asian actresses, such as Shilpa Shetty and Aishwarya Rai, are receiving more international media attention. I believe Nandita Das is more talented. Everyone talks about how pretty Shilpa and Aishwarya are, but I firmly believe Nandita Das is a beautiful woman she is stunning! Nandita is very fastidious, she is more of an independent art house actress, and she is respected for her acting abilities. I admire Nandita because she has been able to navigate between Bollywood and Hollywood. I would love to see Nandita in a major blockbuster mainstream Hollywood film that would be amazing!
I think Nandita’s success proves, a darker skinned South Asian actress, can have success in Indian cinema, and international movies. In South Asian cinema, the actresses tend to be fair skinned and have Eurocentric features. Nandita is a beautiful, brown skinned, South Asian woman, and she has a huge audience in India and internationally.
Nandita has a solid career, she has appeared in Indian films and western movies. I remember, the first time I saw Nandita act, she was in Deepa Mehta’s lesbian drama “Fire”. I thought Nandita’s performance was so strong in “Fire” she was very brave to be in the film. There were protests in India and even violence because some South Asian men were enraged that the movie involved South Asian actresses in a lesbian film. After “Fire” Nandita appeared in the acclaimed film “Earth”. Nandita is such a talented actress she has a new movie out called “Before The Rains”.
“Before The Rains” is set in 1937 India in the state of Kerala. Kerala is a very interesting Indian state because it is a matriarchal society and women are in control not the men. The women in Kerala have the power since literacy and higher education is available for women.
Okay I will admit the plot for “Before The Rains” is a bit derivative. How many times does there have to be a movie about a young beautiful South Asian woman in a doomed marriage? Are South Asian men being stereotyped as being pernicious and abusive to women? I have to admit I yearn to see more movies with South Asian men in more tender roles in Western cinema instead of just being evil husbands.
What is the real issue with the interracial love theme is it to create controversy or to provide texture to the film? I kind of wonder if the screenwriters or producers can think outside of the box a little bit more? Also, how can the stunning Nandita Das be just a maid? The only reason “Before The Rains” is even worth watching is because Nandita Das is in the film if she wasn’t in the movie I wouldn’t care about the film at all. I think Nandita deserves better roles to showcase her talent.
Nandita’s character in “Before The Rains” is a young beautiful South Asian maid Sajani she is in a loveless marriage to a callous South Asian man. Sajani wants more out of her life she desires excitement and pleasure. The Indian husband in “Before The Rains” is evil he beats Sajani after he finds out that she is involved in an interracial love affair with a white man. Sajani falls in love with her white boss LLinus Roche’s character Henry Moores.
The village people find out about Sajani’s interracial affair and all hell breaks loose. The movie was released in North America recently. Also, I have more good news Nandita is directing her first feature film called “In Such Times” I am so excited!
Weight Loss Update: I Lost Eleven Pounds In The Past Two Months!!!
Today I had a doctor’s appointment so I was a bit nervous. I haven’t bothered to go on the scale because I was so scared for a long time. For the longest time I have been terrified about checking my weight because I just stand thinking about possibly gaining weight. The unknown is better for me because I can relax a bit and just workout without trying to focus on numbers.
I was stunned when my doctor told me since April 2008 I have lost eleven pounds! I was worried for no reason at all I am definitely losing weight at the same pace as earlier in the year.
I thought I had lost only between three to six pounds but I am so thrilled! My doctor also informed me that I now weight 194 pounds. I started to work out in December 2007 and now I have lost forty one pounds in six months! I am cognizant of the fact I am average height I am only five feet eleven inches tall. I have broad shoulders so although weighing 194 sounds like a lot for me that’s actually very good. I definitely much fitter now and lighter. I don’t feel tired during the afternoon and I have much more energy.
My doctor says he is proud of me for sticking with my weight loss program. I actually do feel really good. I feel like I have more self confidence and esteem. I usually have issues with my body image and self esteem but today I feel really good. I am a work in progress. There are still times when I hate myself and I refuse to look into the mirror. There are still moments when I want to destroy the mirror with my fists and smash the glass into a billion pieces. I still wish I looked perfect but I guess I just got to keep on trying. I still don’t have the rock hard abs or the perfect body.
I worked out every single day since last week Monday so today I have decided not to workout. However, tomorrow I will back on the treadmill, lifting weights, completing push ups, sit ups, and leg curls. The important thing I have to remember is just to keep it up. I also have to remember to keep on eating rice cakes, oatmeal, continue to cut down on my sugar intake, and stay away from salt. I must confess I still have a weakness for ginger ale! I love ginger ale but I also realize it is important to live a little and moderation is the key.
Swiss Tennis God Roger Federer Wins Grass Court Event In Germany
After Roger Federer’s dismal performance in the French Open final he easily swept through the Halle grass court event in Germany winning all five matches in straight sets. Roger is now a five time champion at the Halle tournament. Roger easily rolled over German player Phillip Kohlschreiber 6-3 6-4.
Roger never lost serve in the entire event! Roger collects his 55th ATP Tour title and his tenth title on grass. The Swiss tennis God is now tied with American Pete Sampras for the most grass court titles won by a male tennis player.
The victory in Halle is exactly what Roger needed he has to make a statement that he can still win events and crush the competition. Roger will fly from Germany to London and take a week off preparing for Wimbledon.
What Does Father’s Day Mean To You?
I have to be honest I don’t have a close relationship with my father. My father has a much more closer relationship with my heterosexual older brother. My older brother is the “golden boy” in my father’s eyes he doesn’t have to say it but it is true.
For instance, my heterosexual older brother he got married three years ago, he has a lovely wife I got to know when I was in Jamaica earlier this year. In my father’s eyes my brother is living the “good life” he is following the path that society says everyone is supposed to live by. I am viewed as the dirty homosexual living the “bad life”.
However, I am gay so in my father’s eyes I am viewed as “different” when I speak to him sometimes the conversations are awkward, fractured, and indifferent. There is no resonance to the words my father says to me. I notice the interaction my father has with my older brother and I see the warmth and his personality shines and he is happy talking to my brother. I don’t care about boxing, or cricket, or other baseball. The only sport I am passionate about is tennis.
I notice I don’t really relate well to heterosexual men. Maybe it is because heterosexual men have negative perceptions about gay men? I don’t know? All I know is there is more to me then just my sexual orientation. I don’t think about being “gay” twenty four seven. I don’t know what to say to straight men sometimes there is this distance? Perhaps it is all perception but I sense if a straight man “knows” I am gay they act differently around me. I don’t mean being rude or anything but being distant emotionally and maybe reticent.
If you read my book “You Don’t Know Me” there is a poem called “The Good Son” in the poem I explore my feelings on this issue. I am not sure if it is because my father can’t “relate” to me or what but we definitely don’t have the stereotypical traditional “father and son” relationship. I guess that’s the reason Father’s Day never meant much to me.
Maybe it is an issue of masculinity? Regardless of sexual orientation I think it is harder for men to be open about our feelings. I have a much more closer relationship with my younger sister and my mother they actually “tell me” what they are “feeling”. I don’t have a clue about my father I feel like I don’t exist in his universe. Maybe that’s just the way things are supposed to be?
Gayblackcanada 