Happy Friday people. How goes everything? I hope that this holiday season finds you well and in the highest of spirits. I know all too well the dangers of being depressed during the holiday season and they even have a name for it now --- Seasonal Affective Disorder or S.A.D, for short. Coinkidink? I think not, but I digress.
I write today as a means of vetting out the answers to some of my life's most pressing questions. For example, my first question is What can black people do as a collective to make themselves better? I know plenty of answers to that question and I'm trying to save them for discussion next year as I hop to actually redesign the blog, since I actually have a readership now! Thanks ya'll! Anyhoo, my next question is, Aside from racism what is the biggest problem facing our community? Sadly (and not S.A.D.ly) it has to be complete and utter ignorance, coupled with "conscientious stupidity". I went to YouTube for this gem of a video called NIGGA day. GASP!!! Yes, even after I thought the NIGGA was dead, turns out this NIGGA has pulled a Jesus on us and rose from the dead to be celebrated in Barnseville, GA. This video is not safe for work.
Yes, it seems that this NIGGA is still partying and getting his groove on and the masses (particularly the white ones) are LOVING it! I mean really, I don't know what Dr. Mike's purpose is for creating his videos (he is the YouTube videographer), but I thank him for making me aware. Get into the fact that the name of the day could actually be the BLACK HERITAGE FESTIVAL or the Black Arts Festival [although no arts or artists seem to be present and not to be confused with the NATIONAL BLACK ARTS FESTIVAL in Atlanta] or the Emancipation Day (like Juneteenth in Texas), but everyone has chosen to adopt the moniker "NIGGA DAY". Has a nice ring to it, ya think?
Now there are some problems with the good doctor's approach because he didn't ask any WHITE people, or Hispanic people, or Asian people, etc. what day was being celebrated(I need to know). Maybe he did that with good reason and I am hoping he'll respond to my email so that I may ask him. However, whether or not any of the other races would call the festival NIGGA DAY is probably irrelevant. It would simply demonstrate that the word is so casually used by blacks, that NO ONE sees a problem with it. This video was high coonin' at best and a painful lesson in self-hatred at worst.
Having said that, I think it's time that we opt out of what the conventional definition of blackness means(no I don't know, it's one of those intangible things that everyone knows, but can't adequately describe... like umami). It's time for us to shape our identities for ourselves and to really unmask the crap that we've put up with, created, and caused over the last few decades. This goes way beyond WEB DuBois' duplicity of consciousness philosophy. When I have some answers for how we can do this, I'll start posting my OTHER questions.
Peace,
Shane
7 comments:
Sadly, I grew up 15 minutes from Barnesville and I know all about "Nigga Day." My adopted hometown Griffin has its own Nigga Day, usually occuring in late May/early June.
It's not really a festival of sorts. It's when a bunch of country NIGGAS get together and act a fool.
by being self determined, knowing that amerikkka is a republic and not a democracy, and taking advantage of capitalism and al the libaries around us
Torrance,
All the libraries and free enterprise in the world won't help you, if you choose to remain a remnant of enslavement.
WOWWWW...is almost all I can say...
And you found this on YouTube...I shudder to think how many of my deer-hunting, Confederate-flag lovin', Bush-lovin' coworkers that are also big YouTube watchers have watched this video.
Randi,
That's why it's up to us to begin the process of re-educating the masses. You don't have to shudder at all, if you copy and paste the URL, you can read the comments that have been posted.
Sometimes I often wonder why people do the incredibly stupid things they do. Today would be one of those days, but I can honestly understand how this would happen.
Do you know in parts of rural Georgia, that businesses and government office close at 12:00 noon on Wednesdays to commemorate the auctioning of the enslaved?
That's where part of this NIGGA day gets some of its origin. The rest comes from stupid black people willing to promulgate this nonsense to make a point to whitey. As I said before, COONERY and Bufoonery at its best.
Sidebar- Big-ups for being a Chemist!!! I LOVED Orgo and Biochem.
Wow, someone besides me that loves Org. and Biochem?! (sigh, batting eyelashes) LOL
Big ups to YOU for being a social worker. I volunteer with CASA, so I work with some good (and a few bad, unfortunately) SWs, so I admire the work you do.
What struck me what the people proudly saying "Nigga Day!" when they were asked what the day was called. Do they even know their history?? Do they care?? No, they're just glad someone suffered and died so they can get a job that pays just enough to buy some name brand clothing, shoes, or rims.
"COONERY and Bufoonery at its best." INDEED.
I was talking with someone, and I'm a little ashamed to say this, but I almost don't wanna be Black anymore...but then I read my daily dose of Black blogging, and I feel good about being Black again. Keep up the good work!
I did not see any organized activity, no type of celebration just walking the streets. It would be nice if the local NAACP stepped in and organized a real celebration and gave the residents something to shout about. People are just misdirected for real.
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