"I Do See Color" weekly newsletter: May 10, 2023
Weekly newsletter 32: Combination of race- and culture-related posts from "We Need to Talk," "I Do See Color," "BlackTechLogy," "Homegrown Tales" and "Window Shopping"
Welcome to the “I Do See Color” newsletter (with a bonus section of two first-person interviews called “Deuces”).
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Now let’s get into the weekly newsletter!
Each week, eight carefully selected posts will be chosen, which focus on culture, politics, health and race from a black (wo)man’s perspective.
NEW! 1. First black Mermaid movie releases, black women get bullied ~ Worry about your red carpet invite, not Kyla Pratt's outfit
Today was one of those days where I really started to wonder do people just log in to spread misery. (I’m convinced this is the same crowd who spent all weekend trying to keep that Usher and Chris Brown fight rumor going, only to then throw Missy Elliott into the plot the next day.) In what should’ve been a day of celebration for the second black mermaid (salute to Gabriella) from Disney—the one and only songstress Halle Bailey—what’s taken over is people making fun of two black women who are notorious members of the Mind My Black Lady Business club: Kyla Pratt and Tamera Mowry-Housley.
2. I never wanted to bird-watch, but I’m watching Christian Cooper’s show ~ Racist Amy Cooper sues employer, innocent black man gets nature show
The idea of bird-watchers just wasn’t something I was willing to get into — even though I think it’s dope that there are so many black bird-watchers. But imagine my delight to find out that Christian Cooper, the man who was racially profiled by Amy Cooper (when she wasn’t trying to choke out her dog and blatantly lie to the police about a black man threatening her), reportedly has a bird-watching show coming to National Geographic.
3. I’m not Asian but ‘Never Have I Ever’ is making me uncomfortable ~ The difference between indifferent interracial dating and self-loathing
My older (and only) brother was the first person to look around at my walls and point out how many white boys were on the wall. I instantly pointed to another wall entirely dedicated to Immature posters and a couple pictures of Mike Vitar from “Sandlot,” alongside Brandon Q. Adams.
But watching the Netflix show “Never Have I Ever” is making me understand why my brother seemed concerned. I love Mindy Kaling’s work and really want to see Asian women be more present and winning in the entertainment industry. But this cheer-for-the-white-guy theme she’s permanently on is making me increasingly uncomfortable.
4. No, not all black people are related to famous people with the same name ~ Stop asking me am I related to Sarah Vaughan
I was elated to find out that the box of kitchen supplies, comforters, blankets and pillows I was giving away would go to a worthy cause: Ukrainian families. I made a second trip to give her a toaster I was donating, too. She opened her arms to hug me, and out of habit, I immediately opened mine — completely forgetting my adamancy for a six-foot distance around (unvaccinated?) strangers. I stepped back, feeling like I’d done a great deed. Then, the question came.
“So are you related to Sarah Vaughan?” she asked me.
I briefly considered snatching my toaster back, remembering yet another reason why I dodge telling strangers which one is my doorbell.
5. The Tamera Mowry jokes are old, and you are petty ~ Stop trying to put black women in one personality box
If you hear me speak in regular conversation, especially during journalism interviews, there are a select few who would say I “sound white.” In my ears, I sound more like Angela Bassett and Diahann Carroll. Blame it on my maternal grandmother being the Grammar Police throughout my childhood. But the shoulders relax around family and friends, and I can quickly code switch to sound like Remy Ma on “Drink Champs.” (Switch the New York accent for a southern one though.)
So why does any of this matter? Although all of these women are black, their personalities are notably different. Black women are not a monolith. We come in different shapes, sizes, backgrounds, skin tones and experiences. So when I hear black people try to put black women in a box, it annoys me. More specifically, I’m tired of people picking on Tamera Mowry.
6. I miss Black Expressions Book Club … and strolling into black bookstores
I’m nine years late and should be ashamed of myself. I had absolutely no idea that Black Expressions Book Club closed in 2013, and I’m clearly part of the problem when it comes to supporting the company.
There was a time when I was relentlessly buying books via that club or physical stores. I loved the idea of strolling into African-owned and African-American-owned bookstores in downtown Chicago and the South Side of Chicago, taking note of any new book I saw. I could stick my arm out, spin around and know for sure that I was going to knock over a book I desperately wanted to read.
7. Trevor Noah leaves ‘The Daily Show’: Viewer begs for another black or brown host ~ America has enough white, male late-night hosts
Trevor Noah is my relief. Not only is he consistently funny (the bathroom humor and dick jokes could get a little awkward), but he brings a world view to the show — as a black man, born in Africa and well-traveled. For six years, I’ve kept a quote from his book “Born a Crime” on my website and read that book twice. Many many times, this Millennial would discuss American breaking news and compare it to something from his stomping grounds. I’d get a little bit of African history in my American history, and it is always done effectively, thoughtfully and even made me change my mind on a couple of issues.
8. Dahmer deja vu: Why are black victims deemed less important? ~ The first time I realized there’s racism in real estate
When I first got this temp real estate job, I had zero complaints. I planned to quietly file as needed, type up reports, help the in-house real estate attorney recover files and use my lunch break to chat about Aaron McGruder’s “The Boondocks” online. It was an easy job, and occasionally I’d learn something new about homeownership and Realtors. A month after I started, I reconsidered that “easy job" part, after lighting a match that started an argument about Emmett Till, O.J. Simpson and racism.
“Deuces” ~ “I Do See Color” newsletter’s bonus interviews:
1. “Pursuing Education With A Passion Is Key To Success For Chicago Lawyer,” CBS Chicago, December 15, 2014
Legal Prep is one of the places where Chicago lawyer Michelle J. Miller Esq., enjoys speaking. As a law school student who was also a single mother, she has first-hand knowledge of how difficult it is to pursue a legal career.
2. “Former NAHN President Urges Chicago Nurses To Get Involved In The Community,” CBS Chicago, December 8, 2014
Technology can't compete with some careers, and one of them is the nursing industry. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nurses, nursing is the nation's largest profession in the health industry.
Adrianna Nava, who worked at Jesse Brown VA from 2009–2011 and at University of Chicago from 2013–2014, tells why she became a nurse, gives tips for new nursing students and graduates, and talks about her affiliation with the National Association of Hispanic Nurses.
Did you enjoy this post? You’re also welcome to check out my Substack columns “Black Girl In a Doggone World,” “BlackTechLogy,” “Homegrown Tales,” “I Do See Color,” “One Black Woman’s Vote,” “Tickled,” “We Need To Talk” and “Window Shopping” too. Subscribe to this newsletter for the weekly posts every Wednesday.
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