"I Do See Color" weekly newsletter: January 11, 2023
Weekly newsletter 15: Combination of race- and culture-related posts from "We Need to Talk," "I Do See Color," "BlackTechLogy" 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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Each week, eight carefully selected posts will be chosen from my Medium “I Do See Color,” “We Need to Talk,” “BlackTechLogy” and “Window Shopping” publications that focus on culture, politics, health and race from a black (wo)man’s perspective.
NEW! 1. Black folks, stop doing the work of white supremacists ~ The Africa versus African American conflict needs to stop
My mind is always a little blown when I run into African-Americans (or what some self-identify as Foundational Black Americans, FBAs) who are both skeptical of the Middle Passage and startlingly hostile about Africans. Reading tweets like this just does the work of white supremacists for them, and black folks end up creating a divide that leaves Tiki torch carriers and white sheet cutters laughing and munching on popcorn. We are going in the absolute wrong direction toward progress.
2. The one piece of advice car salesmen often miss ~ Whether new money or old money, don’t treat people like they have no money
Although I hadn’t thought much of getting a new car after selling my older car (that constantly needed repairs) for four years before that, I knew that if I went to a car dealership for this test drive, I was going for far more than just a free gas card. Less than a week later, I lied to myself and said I’d get the gas card to give to my parents, but I knew after driving that Suzuki Vitara around all week that I was not leaving without a brand new car. So I headed to a nearby dealership, fully aware of my annual salary budget and that I could afford a car note.
When I entered the facility with that “test drive” promotional card, several heads turned. Car salesmen sized me up, one of which waved and asked how could he help. I held up the card and mentioned I wanted to use it. He shrugged and told me “someone else” can help and walked off completely uninterested. I stood there a bit disappointed, knowing what I knew versus what he knew.
3. BIPOC, we don’t have to be in competition ~ It’s OK to applaud one group while wanting more exposure for your own group
While I’m always on the lookout for good independent films that are created by black, indigenous and (other) people of color, there will be ones that will slip through the cracks. “Canvas,” an animated short film, is one of those moments. I smiled through the grandfather’s story and how beautifully told it was. It also made me think of memories of my own grandparents.
While I appreciated @8wariorlittle for bringing it to Twitter users’ attention, I couldn’t help but notice a tweet underneath, “I’m still waiting on Native shows and animation. The last fucking thing we had was Pocahontas in the fucking 90’s since then we’ve had ZERO representation. And we still only got 1 shared day out of the year while everyone else gots a fucking month.”
What. The. Fawk?
4. Date him because he’s dope to you, not them ~ Every trend becomes a thing of the past, including relationships
When CNN’s John Blake asked me one question, it made me pause. I’m not someone who minces my words. If I think it, I’ll usually say it and cannot recall one time when I truly regretted my words. It’s probably why I gravitated to Toastmasters International public speaking clubs so easily.
But still, when he asked me this question, I had to collect my thoughts. I knew my response could too easily sound like I was knocking one group for another. My answer would more than likely reach a larger audience than a Medium post (or maybe not), so I wanted to make sure there was no room for a misunderstanding.
READER REMINDER ~ “BlackTechLogy”: Are you checking out IDSC’s tech archive?
Social media photos: Understand fair use rights ~ IDSC 'BlackTechLogy': Can your social media post be shared for commercial use? It depends
Make thousands from robocalls since Supreme Court won't block them ~ IDSC 'BlackTechLogy': When Facebook won their security text lawsuit, robocallers won too
5. Lessons I subconsciously learned from ‘The Autobiography of Malcolm X’ ~ Funny stories about Malcolm X and Alex Haley
I read “The Autobiography of Malcolm X” in sixth grade and saw the Spike Lee film one week after my 11th birthday. I loved both equally. Some of the stories were intense. Some of the movie scenes were even more impassioned. But I completely forgot about some of the funnier anecdotes in the epilogue of his book until my father forwarded one of a series of Black History Month digital church booklets to me. (He’s a deacon.)
Each week, a black icon is highlighted. On Valentine’s Day, the Sunday booklet had all these stories about Malcolm X. Malcolm X’s conversations with the author of his book, Alex Haley, came flooding back to my memory bank. Revisiting a few made me ponder about whether I’d internalized some of the lessons although forgetting the stories. After re-reading the epilogue in its entirety, these were the three stories that stood out the most.
6. Want a tattoo? Wait until you’re 30 ~ What melanin-rich people need to know about tattoos, tattoo removal
When I was offered a tattoo as a high school graduation gift, I was elated. I was (and still am) really into painting ceramics and black art, and a silhouette of two people in the middle of a cross-armed toast seemed like a wonderful idea. I brought my favorite photograph of me and my prom date in the same pose, and I told the tattoo artist that’s what I wanted. I made a point of telling him to change the facial features and hairstyle on my prom date, but he could make the woman look like me. I loved this tattoo at the age of 17. My father hated it. My mother thought it was cute. My older brother and his girlfriend (his wife of 21 years now) also thought it was cool; of course they would, it was their idea to pay for this graduation gift.
7. Should you get wedding insurance to fight against fraud? ~ Rob Nuccio of WedSure: 'Change of Heart' wedding insurance, insurance fraud
Here comes the bride. Or, maybe she's gone AWOL.
There goes the groom — in his gym shoes running away from the altar.
While the couple may change their minds about getting married, the caterer, the deejay, the dress designer, bartender, baker, florist and the wedding venue owner still plan to get paid. So does anybody get their money back? What about the poor parents of the bride and groom who paid for the whole thing?
8. Being anti-gun is not a ‘slave mentality’ ~ The gun control debate I had with a rapper
I sat on the phone with a well-known rapper, realizing this interview was turning into more of a debate — about everything from use of the n-word to gun rights. He had a right to his opinions. I just started to find him annoying. Everything he said felt like he wanted me to write it down as Bible truth. Still, as a (former) entertainment journalist, I often roll with the punches to get to what I really want to talk about in the interview.
But there was a moment in our conversation that made me ponder on hanging up. We were on the topic of politics and social justice when I mentioned something about my love-hate relationship with the Second Amendment. Right before I went on to the next topic, he mumbled, “That’s such a slave mentality.” I paused for a beat and wondered, “Is it worth having this argument too? Does this do me any good?”
“Deuces” ~ “I Do See Color” newsletter’s bonus interviews:
1. "Is the child bad or is it ADHD?" Chicago Defender, June 12, 2009
The child can't be still, his grades are decreasing and he won't listen in class. While some family members, friends and teachers might consider hima menace, modern science may diagnose him with having Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD).
2. "The Humane Society of the United States and Carroll Care Center partner to end dogfighting," Chicago Defender, September 12, 2009
Twelve pit bulls stood in one room, sizing each other up and looking at their owners for approval. And one by one, some leaped, circled and walked near each other. These pit bulls were being trained by Humane Society of the United States trainers at the Carroll Care Center at 3334 W. Carroll.
Some of the dogs seemed calm and innocent, like Oreo who wrestled around and was in heat. Chocolate just wanted to play and climb on its owner. Puppies Weezy and Icey watched the bigger dogs like they were superstars.
Did you enjoy this post? You’re also welcome to check out my Substack columns “Black Girl In a Doggone World,” “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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