You just need to be a flea against injustice. Enough committed fleas biting strategically can make even the biggest dog uncomfortable and transform even the biggest nation. ~Marian Wright Edelman
This will be short and sweet, no need to preach.
For the longest time on this blog I've stated ONE of the ways to combat the evil that permeates is to acknowledge and applaud success, hard work and good people (particularly kids). Sometimes I've even used snark, like this, to pass along information other than violence and garbage. I've been angered by the sanctimonious BS of black bloggers who rip mainstream media for its portrayal of black people even though they mimic the same behavior on the blogs where they have full autonomy.
I created and maintain a Web site that chronicles positive stories about African-Americans from all news sources I can find. Guess what, I don't have enough time to publish them all. And that's not including the ones that I miss. Check it out sometime, its called Tradition of Excellence. (And if you find good news please send me an email so I can add it to the site).
I started Good News Tuesday almost a year ago and Mike at Happy Go Lucky Bachelor has been with me from the beginning. Numerous times I've asked, dared, challenged other black bloggers to do the same. Monie from Monie on the Outside pledges to spread good news on Tuesdays and Villager/Wayne at Electronic Village (great blog name!) has already started.
All the whining about the mainstream media's one-sided view of black Americans is disingenuous when we don't take a tiny moment once in a while to appreciate those who live life right. Its your blog and I can't tell you what to publish but stop being a hypocrite.
If they don't lead with what bleeds at least news organizations can claim they will lose money. What's our excuse? Blog hits? Please!
11 comments:
Funny. I was just thinking about this on this very morning. It seems that some blogs speak of the African American community and other African Americans in the same terms as the mainstream media and the virulent racists they claim to so ardently dislike. This seems to be indicative of the disconnect between the classes within the African American community.
I have posted on this before after everyone went off on BET for their awkward MJ benefit. Everyone agreed it was horrible, but no one got up to turn it off. They simply watched it to completion then raced to their blogs to make comments about how ghetto it was.
We do have problems in our community, but we should be actively seeking a solution as opposed to sanctimoniously pointing them out again and again.
"It seems that some blogs speak of the African American community and other African Americans in the same terms as the mainstream media and the virulent racists they claim to so ardently dislike."
That reminds me of a post I did called 'I am not dragging you down'
"Everyone agreed it was horrible, but no one got up to turn it off. They simply watched it to completion then raced to their blogs to make comments about how ghetto it was."
You made me laugh with that. And sometimes they try to act as if they are doing some public service by "suffering" through it so they can blog on it.
They will never admit that many of the things they criticize have, on some level, some type of entertainment value for them.
@Symphony
I've noticed this too. I wrote a post about the racism of Black blogs. Many of these blogs seem to go out of their way to post any story that involves poor Black people either committing a crime or doing something that the blogger sees as "ghetto".
Now this amazes me for a few reasons. One, because some of the same bloggers who lost their minds over BET's Hot Ghetto Mess are the same ones propagating this stuff.
Also the comments on these posts are virulently racist.
A lot of our minds have been colonized to the extent that we think about ourselves in ways that Whites have typically thought of us. It's only when a White person voices these thoughts that we feel outrage.
P.S. I checked out Tradition of Excellence! I love it. I really liked the post about Command Sgt. Maj. Teresa King.
You make an excellent point. But I'm sorry, I take pleasure in bringing to light the coonery of white folks.
LMAO!
I swear I'm stoopid...
Nah but seriously, we need more positive images or blogs within the Afrospere. Good news never hurt anybody especially when there is a ton of negativity to throw around. With that said, I think I need to start a poor white trash meme on my blog.
I find it hypocritical that they give press to whatever degrading rap song is out at the moment, but never give readers the heads up when a black female artist who counters all the stereotypes out. They give the rapper even more Youtube hits talking about how terrible he is.
Well said.
@ Monie. Its always "look at these poor negroes." You seldom see them post about the ignorance of middle class/ educated blacks unless its too juicy to pass up on.
Its like they want to distinguish themselves for the benefit of their white peers and associates.
@RiPPa You know you're not allowed to mention white folks at all. Thats just justifying black pathologies. ;) You're crazy!
@ Naima that is one of my biggest frustrations. They totally ignore the people we should be promoting through word of mouth. You can't boycott something you were never buying in the first place so the music industry doesnt care how upset they are.
And its a fact companies will create and promote what sells. After record labels saw how much money the Spice Girls and Hanson were making then everyone else got in the bubblegum pop business and we got Backstreet Boys, NSync, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Jessica Simpson, 98 Degrees, Mandy Moore, Aaron Carter, Willa Ford, Samantha Mumba...get my point lol? (and the list goes on).
Seems to be all the music they claim to like or want to hear they aren't purchasing. Must be buying bootlegs or stealing off the internet just like the rap fans are doing.
They don't see how obvious it is that they are full of crap.
@ Mike
Thank you sir. And thanks for doing Good News Tuesday. I always love your choices.
Symphony,
I wanted to email this to you, but I do not have your email, so I will just post it here. Found this post this morning. Thought about your earlier piece: http://roarloud.wordpress.com/2009/10/02/thick-vs-fat/
Symphony - You used Mister Linky to create a subscribed meme for Good News Tuesday. It refers people to your blog (in general). Please consider editing that subscribed meme entry so that it points folks that want to learn more about Good News Tuesday meme to this specific post.
Just a thought...
peace, Villager
Hey Symphony, I've been checking out Tradition of Excellence. Love it. Keep it going, when I come across any new, I will notify you.
@Max. Thanks for the link. I read it and there has been some interesting conversation lately about organic food and if its as great as advertised.
@Villager. I tried to change it and couldn't.
@Vee(Scratch) Thank you very much. I like adding stories to the site.
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