ARE WE RAISING BLACK BOYS TO BE ENTITLED?

feeling rebloggy

from 2017

     Former first lady Michelle Obama made an interesting observation during a discussion at the first-ever Obama Foundation Summit in Chicago — are we protecting our boy children so much that we’re enabling entitlement?
    The topic came up during a conversation about raising children and empowering girls to use their voice. Obama, the mother of two teenaged daughters, questioned whether we’re raising our girls to be strong and taking care not to expose the boys to the ills of the world.
    “We love our boys and we raise our girls,” Obama said. “We raise them to be strong, and sometimes we take care not to hurt men. And I think we pay for that a little bit.” But that same strength we use to raise girls, Obama suggested, needs to be defined in a way that doesn’t aid misogyny, but upholds positive values when it comes to boys...

https://www.essence.com/news/michelle-obama-raise-boys-entitled-obama-summit/

Madam C.J. Walker's Mansion to Become a Think Tank for Women of Color Entrepreneurs

feeling rebloggy

     The former estate of Madam C.J. Walker, who is known as the nation's first self-made female millionaire and beauty pioneer, will serve as the site of a learning institute for women of color.
     The National Trust for Historic Preservation announced last week that the New Voices Fund* purchased Walker's home, called Villa Lewaro, for an undisclosed amount. The foundation functions as the nonprofit wing of the $100 million New Voices Fund, which focuses on women of color entrepreneurs....
     Walker's property was designed and completed 100 years ago by Vertner Tandy, the first licensed Black architect in New York State, and a founder of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. 

Read More: https://www.diversityinc.com/walker-estate-women-of-color?

     New Voices Fund is a $100 Million Fund created to empower women of color entrepreneurs to reach their full potential...[similarly to how Madam C J empowered black women by employing them, in the early 1900s]

    New Voices Fund was founded by family-run conglomerate Sundial Brands, owner of best-selling brands SheaMoisture and Nubian Heritage. The brainchild of co-founder and CEO Richelieu Dennis, New Voices Fund is consistent with a long-standing tradition and business philosophy of “taking care of and investing back in the community”.

 https://newvoicesfund.com/about/

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*correction to original article. The New Voices Fund bought the property

R KELLY IS TRASH AND SO ARE HIS BLIND FOLLOWERS

by Chuck Hobbs 

     Key: Ar-Ruh = R = R. Kelly

     ...While I understand the pathos behind Black men who cape for Ar-Ruh, including the fact that many were molested themselves and are still coping with that issue and/or their own sexual perversions, demons or sexual preferences, I am not as certain about many of the Black women who are doing the same. I am sure some Sister Ar-Ruh fans, too, are grappling with their own perversions, demons and sexual preferences. But it is odd; I was blessed to be raised by a mother and women in the Black community who often would give their last–even their lives if it came to that–to protect children. So, that I see many Sisters on social media writing “that little fast-tailed girl got what she wanted”–and worse–simply defies all reason from my vantage point. 

     In conclusion, “Surviving R. Kelly” provided some new details about Ar-Ruh’s prior criminal acts, but for the most part, it reiterated information that many of us already were reasonably aware of about his perverted predilections.
     But to be clear, it’s not about whether folks knew that R. Kelly was an old “Chester the Molester” 10, 15 or even 25 years ago when Aaliyah, then 15, burst onto the scene under his watch. No, the purpose of this documentary was to remind us all that sexual abuse is real and remains relevant, so that we can endeavor to prevent as many of these unfortunate occurrences as we possibly can in our homes, in our schools and in our Black churches.
     Ergo, asking “why watch what you already know” is akin to asking why anyone would read a book or watch a movie or documentary about anything involving a historical subject. We study history in hopes of not repeating past mistakes. This documentary is important because it allows us to confront how criminals like Ar-Ruh, and many others, both famous and unknown, commit rape–only to have it swept under the rug in our communities...

Read More: https://thehobbservationpoint.com/2019/01/07/r-kelly-is-trash-and-so-are-his-blind-supporters/?

~TheHobbservationPoint

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SOMEBODY TELL ASHY THAT BLACK PEOPLE CAN FOCUS ON MORE THAN ONE THING AT A TIME

You know what? 

All people, including black people can focus on more than one thing at a time. 

For example: I, and plenty of others like me, can focus on the last and the next unarmed black person shot by police WHILE ALSO keeping focus on Agent Evil Orange trying to destroy anything not white and male.



It's funny how some black men --and this man is a pastor-- only get confused about that when it's black girls and black women that need support and protection

...from a serial child rapist like R. Kelly

If you want to see how a real man behaves, check John Legend -- a self-identified feminist.

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VIC MENSA AND WHAT A REAL BLACK MAN SOUNDS LIKE

Feeling Rebloggy 

   Excessive violence and aggression are staples of toxic masculinity – a topic Vic Mensa rapped about when challenging the posthumous idolization of XXXTentacion by his fans. During the 2018 BET Hip-Hop Awards cypher, Mensa caught a wave of controversy with the lyrics, “We all know you won’t live that long/ I don’t respect s**t posthumously, homicide ain’t new to me/ catch up with Akademiks at your eulogy.”
     Supporters called out Mensa for lacking consideration of the deceased rapper's friends and family, especially XXXTentacion's mother who was in attendance.
     “I had no idea a grieving mother would be in the audience to honor her lost son,”      Supporters called out Mensa for lacking consideration of the deceased rapper's friends and family, especially XXXTentacion's mother who was in attendance.     “I had no idea a grieving mother would be in the audience to honor her lost son,” 

    Pitchfork reported Mensa said in a clip. “However, I vehemently reject the trend in hip-hop of championing abusers, and I will not hold my tongue about it.”  

      "Sometimes it can be hard to have empathy for someone else, until you need God to have empathy for you...When I first said the s**t in the rap, I wasn't having any empathy for the man because I was seeing no humanity in him," he said.

     The late rapper was accused of -- and later heard admitting to -- horrendous acts of domestic violence against his girlfriend...
     While Mensa doesn't regret his lyrics, he does a have an enlightened perspective on violence, and he attributes his new ideology to feminist writer bell hooks...
     “My whole life, I was programmed in that way,” Vic Mensa said during an interview on The Breakfast Club. “When I started to read bell hooks, that’s when I peeped game and started to break down why I was so violent.”
     Her essays highlight the world’s need for feminism and confront the mechanics of gender...

~Blavity.com

Read More: https://blavity.com/vic-mensa-says-reading-bell-hooks-taught-him-about-toxic-black-masculinity?

RELATED: 
TAP DANCING ON SOMEONE'S GRAVE AS THE LANGUAGE OF THE UNHEARD

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COMEDIAN CONCLUDES THAT THE BLACK WOMAN IS NOT FOR PLAY-PLAY: MEGHAN VS CHILDISH

TREY MOE OBSERVATIONS ON
THE BLACK MALE HALF
OF THE BLACK COMMUNITY
OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS. 

FILE THIS UNDER: HILARIOUS AND TRUE

feeling rebloggy

The Whoopi clip had me rolling in aisle
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QUINCY JONES AND THE UNVARNISHED TRUTH AT 85

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Vulture did an interview with Quincy Jones that covered everything from Michael Jackson to Social Justice and Politics. And he didn't hold back even a little bit. I was especially surprised he answered more than one question about the Michael Jackson's attitudes and his plastic surgeries  -- which confirmed what I believed:

People don't get super rich and super powerful by being nice and playing by the rules.

Q: You worked with Michael Jackson more than anyone he wasn’t related to. What’s something people don’t understand about him?

A: I hate to get into this publicly, but Michael stole a lot of stuff. He stole a lot of songs. [Donna Summer’s] “State of IndependenceOriginally written by Vangelis and longtime Yes front man Jon Anderson, “State of Independence” was recorded by Donna Summer in 1982. Jones produced Summer’s version, Michael Jackson helped out on backing vocals, and the song’s central riff does sound awfully similar (albeit faster) to the iconic bass riff on Jackson’s hit single “Billie Jean.” It should also be noted that, last year, Jones Originally written by Vangelis and longtime Yes front man Jon Anderson, “State of Independence” was recorded by Donna Summer in 1982. Jones produced Summer’s version, Michael Jackson helped out on backing vocals, and the song’s central riff does sound awfully similar (albeit faster) to the iconic bass riff on Jackson’s hit single “Billie Jean.” It should also be noted that, last year, Jones  won a lawsuit over a royalties dispute against Jackson’s estate.” and “Billie Jean.” The notes don’t lie, man. He was as Machiavellian as they come.

What’d you think when you first heard rock music?

Rock ain’t nothing but a white version of rhythm and blues, motherf*cker. You know, I met Paul McCartney when he was 21...

Q: Are we in a better place as a country than we were when you started doing humanitarian work 50 years ago? 

A: No. We’re the worst we’ve ever been, but that’s why we’re seeing people try and fix it. Feminism: Women are saying they’re not going to take it anymore. Racism: People are fighting it. God is pushing the bad in our face to make people fight back. [<<< I believe this]

Q: What’s stirred everything up? Is it all about Trumpism?

A:  It’s Trump and [his] uneducated rednecks. Trump is just telling them what they want to hear. I used to hang out with him. He’s a crazy motherfucker. Limited mentally — a megalomaniac, narcissistic. I can’t stand him. 

I used to date Ivanka, you know...

Q: I’m trying to isolate what you specifically believe the problem with modern pop is. It’s the lack of formal musical knowledge on the part of the musicians?

A: Yes! And they don’t even care they don’t have it.

Q: Well, who’s doing good work?

A: Bruno Mars. Chance the Rapper. Kendrick Lamar. I like where Kendrick’s mind is. He’s grounded. Chance, too. And the Ed Sheeran record is great. Sam Smith — he’s so open about being gay. I love it. Mark Ronson is someone who knows how to produce.

~VULTURE.COM 

READ MORE OR YOU'LL BE SORRY
 http://www.vulture.com/2018/02/quincy-jones-in-conversation.html

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Michael B Jordan on the #MeToo campaign

“I think it’s just a cleansing. I think it’s a power thing and that’s in all industries. I feel like whenever there’s power and men in power, there’s going to be an abuse of power, that’s just human nature… People that were scared to say or speak their truth now are feeling comfortable. People are going to be more responsible with the positions that they are in right now and that’s taught down. The assistants that are coming up, the producers, the actors coming up – everybody’s learning. You have to weed the motherf**kers out so the next crop that come up can learn the right way.”

http://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/black-panther-michael-b-jordan-cover 

COUNT DOWN: SIX DAYS TO BLACK PANTHER

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AM I ONE OF THE GOOD ONES?

A conversation between black men that hits men's responsibility in the age of #MeToo and #TimesUp on dismantling Toxic Masculinity without ever actually using the term "Toxic Masculinity."

The video below is a good example of a good first step for men

Feeling Rebloggy

Over the past several months, sexual assault has become a topic of discussion in workplaces, at barber shops, at dinner tables, and on social media.

Accusations of well-known men who have been accused of sexually violating their peers, in Hollywood and beyond, and the advent of the #MeToo movement, has prompted a necessary public chat on male dominance and sexual violence. Most of the public dialogue, however, has been led by women. But where are the men?

In this episode of CASSIUS’s editorial conversation, Group Think: Rethinking Manhood, we’ve asked several men to rethink manhood, consent, sexual violence, sexuality and self love.

~Cassius Life 

TO BE YOUNG, GIFTED, AND BLACK MALE FEMINIST KOFI SIRIBOE

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 Starring in his second season of OWN’s Queen Sugar as the earnest Ralph Angel, Siriboe’s been flexing some serious acting chops. Adapted from the novel by Natalie Baszile, Queen Sugar tells the story of three siblings —Nova, Charley, and Ralph Bordelon — who inherit their father’s 800-acre sugarcane farm. 

Siriboe of course plays the complex, formerly incarcerated, single father who struggles with becoming the man his father knew he could be...

“It’s just the simplicity of the fact that my mom is really awesome, we have a great relationship, and as I’m getting older, I’m learning more about her journey and her struggle,” says the actor. “I mean really she wears the cape. I don’t wear a cape, she does.

Siriboe half smiles and reveals, “I’m just honoring her, and honoring her through my existence…like who I am, what I represent. That to me is rooted in my character and my mother—I came out of her. That’s an ode to her.“ I’m instantly blown away by his reverence for his mother. Remember he’s only 23.

But can a man be a feminist? Of course he can. Still, being a feminist is an alien concept for many men. And not to be all judgy but, a 23-year-old black male feminist almost sounds like an oxymoron. But Siriboe unequivocally affirms, “I am [a feminist]. Period. I champion women, I value women, I respect women.” Simple right?

When we think about a hand full of popular millennial men and their relationships to women, feminist isn’t exactly the first word that comes to mind. And in the midst of the huge Hollywood sex scandal—the male advocates have been far and few in between. In fact many men have copped to knowing about the [reprehensible] behavior of their Hollywood pals and never saying a word...

BLEUMAG.COM

READ MORE 

http://bleumag.com/2017/12/19/kofi-the-feminist/ 

HEALING TOXIC MASCULINITY IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY

Masculinity is not inherently a bad thing, but when it’s about power &amp; strength over everything else…it becomes toxic. Society allows toxic masculinity to run rampant, which feeds into misogynistic feelings towards women and a sexual assault epidemic.

How exactly does toxic masculinity 

feed rape culture?

And what can we do to detox? 

BLACK MEN RISING #1

T S said "The oblivious nature of male privilege towards our sisters is the same obliviousness nature white people have towards our people... I dont see how its never noticed. Men who dont understand feminism and womanism say the same thing oblivious white's say. Look at the comments

Trying to explain male privilege to a black man for the most part is like trying to explain white privilege to a poor white person."

GROWING UP FIASCO

Since I heard the song "Bad Bitch," I've been thinking Lupe Fiasco might one day grow into being worth of the identity, "Black Male Feminist"

On my own, I couldn't quite put my finger on exactly how at least a piece of what he was singing was the same-ole, same-ole victim blaming while some of what he was saying seemed quite right.

The writer of the article below hits the nail on the head in such a way that you can see how very much alike racism and sexism are in addition to the things that Lupe gets right.

The song is about getting and giving respect and self respect.If you don't feel like listening to the video, here is a core lyric of the song -

"Bitch bad. Woman good. Lady better."

The writer below describes the difference between what Lupe thinks he's singing about and what he's actually singing about.

"I want respect. Hell, I command respect. But I don’t want to return to respectability politics. The distinction is important. Respectability politics might seem better in the short run, but in the long run they aren’t best.

We can place a high value on receiving and giving respect in our interpersonal interactions, without falling into the trap of  believing that changing our behaviors will have the power to transform a system that actively works against us......we [can't] lose sight of those who have more power to change things than we do.

Men have some power.  They are not hapless victims of less-than-thoughtful mothers and confused, non-self-respecting schoolgirls. As corporations go, male rappers are Davids fighting Goliaths. But at least David saw himself as having a stake in the fight.

Clearly, so does Lupe."

- Crunk Feminist Collective

You can read more of the article below. In the meantime, know that I expect more out of Lupe Fiasco one day.

I have a feeling there will be stumbles and disappointments. But he's thinking, He feels things for black women that don't strictly involve how they reflect on and are accessories to black men. The song feels like concern for black women for black women's sake. I might turn out to be wrong. But I feel like he's thinking and feeling at once, like he's capable of making an effort that will empower us all.

We need a lot more black men like him...I hope.

Yes, I expect more out of him one day.  I only see a hint of something. But I expect Frederick Douglass type thinking. I expect W.E.B. DuBois type thinking.  I expect he will be worthy of the identity "Black Male Feminist" too when he finishes growing. 

READ MORE ON THE CONTRADICTION OF LOVING HIP HOP and LUPE'S GROWTH http://www.crunkfeministcollective.com/2012/06/27/thoughts-on-lupes-bitch-bad/

BLACK WOMEN "TOO DARK" and "OVER-WEIGHT" TO BE LET INTO CLUB

Read to end, friend.

Happy-ish ending awaits

Men and women across the United Kingdom are speaking out about a popular upscale London nightclub that allegedly denied entry to a group of four black women on Saturday night for being “too dark” and “overweight.”

READ MORE HERE

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/what-went-down-the-night-4-black-women-were-denied-entry-at-a-uk-nightclub_560c0035e4b076812700098f

OMARION APPEARS TO HAVE
CANCELLED HIS APPEARANCE AT THE CLUB
OVER THE ISSUES BROUGHT TO LIGHT 
OCTOBER 2015

READ MORE
http://rollingout.com/2015/10/03/omarion-cancels-appearance-dstrkt-club-denied-black-women-dark/


I don't know anything about this particular brother BUT GENERALLY SPEAKING?
BLACK MEN WHO CAPE FOR BLACK WOMEN ROCK!!!

LOVE LETTER TO A NEW FATHER

Feeling Rebloggy

You're an "all in" kind of dad, and hesitation is not part of your process. Save for labour, delivery, and breastfeeding, I'd be hard-pressed to find any other act of parenting that you haven’t been able to do. Your fatherhood is more than presence—it is deliberate action and intentional love; a fertile soil where our daughter can take root and thrive.

- For Harriet 

Read much more: http://www.forharriet.com/2015/06/letter-to-my-husband-blessing-in.html#ixzz3divLPzyq   Follow us: @ForHarriet on Twitter | forharriet on Facebook

FATHER AND DAUGHTERS, RICHARD, VENUS, AND SERENA WILLIAMS

Venus Williams being interviewed at 14, with Dad not far away. The behind the scenes look at an interview is less than a minute long, but it's an awesome example of fatherhood.

Strong Father leads to Strong Daughter
Serena Williams on Racism In Tennis

"She overpowered her" is what they say whenever Serena wins. "[Apparently] they don't know how hard I can hit...I never get credit for the mental"