Sexism v Racism

Recently I have become involved/studying more about feminism and gender equality.

For those of you who know me well you know that when I set off for college (the first time) I went to study "Creative Expression and Racial Relations/Social Justice." Really, that was the title I gave to my major (the Gallatin School at NYU let you create your own major). I have always been really interested in race relations, especially the ways which race operates in the United States. This stems, I believe, from growing up in two different countries where race is treated differently but with some similarities, as well as from growing up in predominately non-white neighborhoods but going to school in predominately white institutions. So, come my first year of school the majority of my courses pertained to studying race and racism, the African diaspora, and the legacies of racism that the institution of chattel slavery created in the United States.

This however, has been a limited scope of 'social justice.' I believe that as a male in this patriarchal society it has been easier for me to be aware of racial injustices and remain relatively ignorant to gender and sexually based injustices. Luckily I've become more aware over the last couple of years to the issues faced by women in this country, as well as those outside of heteronormative social construct. (Wow, that sounded like college talk). I've become aware of actions I'd been taking which made me not only complacent in this inequality but an actual agent of sexism and gender-bias. Luckily, like when I was first studying racism and it's proponents I have been slowly chipping away and I believe become a more active advocate of general equality.

I have to thank my sisters (congratulations on the marriage!) and my girlfriend for helping me take a more honest and revealing look at my actions and the general power structures that are in place. I appreciate having conversations around very general ideas of sexism, such as why cat-fighting is encouraged by both males and females, to more emotionally charged and personal revelations about customs of "picking up" women and things of that sort. One of the interesting and hardest parts for me to come to terms with has been the intersection of race and gender struggles. Often times these two positions are aligned in their fight for equality, yet they have often been pitted against each other and used to suppress one another. I had an interesting debate, for instance, while applying a collage to my coffee table, about whether or not it was appropriate to place an image of Huey P. Newton next to a white woman with a crown... Because both of these positions come with emotional ties and are so charged, it becomes important for each side to remove itself and be able to see the other side of the argument. I do not believe that these two positions are fundamentally opposed, but it is tricky to navigate the way that different systems of power play out in various scenarios.

Anyway, I wanted to reflect, because I heard some particularly offensive gender-based comment made by a professor today, and I think if I had heard it a few years ago I wouldn't have even noticed that it was offensive or have taken action against it. Anyway, I encourage everyone to be more aware of all types of inequality in their everyday lives. It will only lead to us all creating a more equal world, (and I hate the word 'tolerance.' Being able to 'tolerate' something means begrudgingly accepting differences. I think we should strive for something more than that).

OH! Also, don't let me come off high-and-mighty or self important. I often times throw these to the wind, make inappropriate jokes and then kick myself about it later. I believe it's important to realize there is a separation from joking to point out inequality and joking in ignorance. I also believe that the receiving audience has a lot to do with whether something is appropriate or not. Please don't go straight from this post to any of my "Today's Jokes." I don't like to be an immediate hypocrite.

Anyway,
Thanks.

The Blueprint 3

Jay-Z has released the Blueprint 3, which I am convinced is the REAL return since the Black Album. Yeah, 'Kingdom Come' had some shit on there that was pretty terrific, but also huge pitfalls, and 'American Gangster' was as good a foray into a movie soundtrack/concept album, but this is the real deal.

I've heard a lot of criticism about this album so far, a lot of people do not like the direction that Kanye West's production has taken since his own "808's & Heartsbreaks," which I chalk up to a matter of taste. Some good criticism has been directed to some awkward guest choruses on the second half of the album, and although I feel a bit blasphemous for saying this, Timbaland completely dropped the ball on his tracks. The second half of the album is less cohesive, and that makes it a heard sell for perfect. But with all that said, this is a very solid album (and since I have come to like Kanye's new style, I could go as far as saying 'Great' album).

What I haven't heard talked about is Jay-Z's thematic change. With 10 multi-platinum albums under his belt, and pushing 40 years, Jay-Z has done something that no other rapper has been allowed to do in the public sphere: Grow up. Most rappers consider it a gift to be given until they are 30 years old before falling out of favor with their mainstream audience. Jay has not only weathered that storm, but continues to innovate in his lyrical style and flow, which has kept him creatively relevant, but now he proves that he can also be completely socially relevant and mine the experience of being a mainstream rapper for the benefit of his listening audience.

To quote Jay-Z, "I'm talking about life and all I hear is "Oh yeah, keep talkin' about crack!"

'What We Talking 'Bout' has been seen by many reviewer's as Jay-Z rehashing his past and dealing with issues like his split from Dame Dash and Jaz-O, but few have commented on the general overview of the song, summed up in the the lines,

"Ain't nothing cool about carrying a strap, about worrying your moms or burying your best cat. Talking about revenge when you're carrying his casket, all teary eyed, about to take it to the mattress."

Jay-Z is taking a stand against the messages rappers are sending to their community throughout this album. He's challenging the community of artists to stop making light of violence, to stop following trends, to stop buying into materialistic portrayals of Black men in America (which is not to be blamed on rappers), and to act like adults. (To be blunt these are messages directed toward rappers, which is better than directing them at the consumer, because he realizes that there is a chain of command). He says, "Look, Cristal: Racist. Rims: Flashy. Etc. Etc."

No, Jay-Z is not the first 'conscious-rapper,' and not even of this generation. You've got great examples like Lupe Fiasco, Mos Def and Talib Kweli, etc. But what Jay-Z has is the experience and transformation. His message becomes more meaningful because he has been playing the other side of the equation. You're school teacher is always going to tell you "Don't do drugs." But the effect is much greater when the ex-drug-dealer is telling you "Don't do drugs."

One of the stand out moments on the album is when Jay-Z addresses the urban adage of "You either rap, play ball, or slang crack." To paraphrase, he says that by rappers spreading this idea they are just perpetuating the trend of young kids thinking these are their only options.

Jay-Z's Blueprint III is "Talking about about music, not about rap." But more than that is focuses on a viewpoint that until now has been yet to be heard in the mainstream; reformed gangster rap.

One last note. For all of the positive messages Jay-Z is spreading around he still is slipping up on when it comes to images of women in the Black community and women in general. Hopefully on the next round of positivity and revision Beyonce will say, "DO you think our daughter would want to hear that? Do you think any woman would want to hear that?" But, like I said, it's a big step in the right direction, and it's already looking like it might crush the autotune, so that's a good sign.

THE EVOLUTION OF JAY Z: 15 Years ago


TODAY: (Empire State of Mind ft Alicia Keys)
mgid:uma:video:mtv.com:435686

Enjoy

Super fucked up

But... I can't stop laughing. This would've fit into a Dave Chapelle show really well. Did somebody do the bourgeoisie remix yet?
Chad
Bradley
Brent
Brice
Clarence
etc.

Overheard on the bus, Volume 4.

Moments of wisdom from the Politically Correct:

College Girl 1: I was playing board games with my brother last night
College Girl 2: Oh, he's so cute.
CG1: Yeah, but he' always cheating, so I have to call him out on it.
CG2: Oh, little kids always cheat, but they think they can get away with it.
CG1: Yeah, we were playing 'Guess Who?' and he kept looking at mine. I said "Ryan, I think you're cheating," and he started yelling "I'm not a CHEATER! I'm not a CHEATER!!" I was like, "If you can't handle being called a cheater Ryan, you should stop cheating."
CG2: They really need to make an updated version of 'Guess Who?' I mean, everyone is like a white male or a white woman with blonde hair. We have a black President!
CG1: Yeah... Although, that would make the game a lot easier. It would be like, "Is it an asian? Yeah? It's Xiong."
CG2: Yeah, I guess you're right. 'Guess Who' is a game that actually wouldn't benefit from ethnic diversity.

I almost died listening to this.
Then, I searched 'Guess Who?' to try and show everyone an example of the board, and this incredibly appropriate example was the first result.

Guess Who
Uploaded by kirstenlepore

"You've got some beautiful wood"

I've been meaning to post about this for a while, but of course I've been distracted.

In the same vein as OverheardinNY or something similar, I have heard ridiculous things on the bus going to work and school over the past week. Here are a few examples:

Guy in funny hat to guy next to me: "You've got some beautiful wood." (This morning, the man sitting next to me was carrying planks of wood).


Old man to young man: "You don't know a muthafucking thing about the Native Americans"
Young man #1: "I'm doing my graduate thesis on displaced people and chemistry..."
Old woman, interjecting: "It's what they say, you can't trust everything you read."
Old man: "That's right. You white people killed ous brothers. YOU (directed at young man) killed MY ancestors!"
Old woman: "Mmmm hmmm. And I got it the worst of all. I'm black and native. You ever see that one movie, you know, about prohibition."
Young man #1: "Um... no, what."
Old woman: "You know, that guy... Sir... Sir.... Sir something. And that water world guy?"
Young man #1: "I'm not very good at remembering. I'm trying to quit smoking."
Old woman: "My son is 37 years old, and he never smoked in his life. If you had good parents you wouldn't be smoking."
Young man #1: "No, my parents smoked. I'm actually a recovering alcoholic."
Old woman: "You real mixed up in bad things. SEAN CONNERY! That's it, Sir Sean Connery."
Old man: "James Bond!"
Old woman: "You remember now? It's coming back to you now?"
Young man #1: "I don't think I've seen this movie."
Old woman: "You've seen it. Waterworld, who's that guy."
Young man #2, from back of the bus: "Kevin Bacon."
Young man #1: "No, Kevin Costner."
Old Woman: "Yeah, Kevin Costner. You remember now."
Young man #1: "No, you know. My memory is bad. You're also talking to a guy who had chemotherapy."
Old man: "Shut the fuck up."
Young woman, who has been rolling her eyes for fifteen minutes: "Will you all SHUT THE FUCK UP!"
At this point I got off the bus, but not before I heard a half bus shouting match that circled back to Native American history, with someone saying the word "Injuns."

Anyway, thought I'd share.