Our Charter for Black America

Thank you all for your insightful and intelligent comments! We really appreciate you commenting on our project. So what have we learned from this experience? Based on your comments, we have created a charter for Black America. We are also including some of our favorite comments from the posts! Feel free to comment on this charter as well!

Our Charter:
The meaning of Langston Hughes’ poem “I too Sing America”, apparently still resonates in the lives of African-Americans today. While we are not necessarily “serving the man”, in so many words, we are still fighting for the practice of equal rights, opportunities, and representation in America. Not only are we working through the divisions in our American society but we are also working through the divisions within the African-American community itself. These divisions are evident in skin tone, class divisions that elicit such terms as “acting white or black” or “the uppity Negro”, and the stigma of homosexuality in the black community. In respect to homosexuality, according to your comments on the blog, the black community is still very divided. Many of you mentioned the lifestyle conflicting with your religious beliefs and personal preferences. Black America must become accepting of our diversity. Also, for many Americans, the terms Black and African-American are interchangeable. Some believe that African-American is even a little more politically correct. It is all about how we choose to identify and represent ourselves. Though we do share opposing views about the different aspects of the Black community, we are all still united in the struggle for equality among the other races and ethnicities around the world. This blog is intended to not only bring awareness to our differences but to also take pride in our abilities to unite against the adversity that plagues the Black community.

Here’s what you said:

3Psi09
I think that the reason for the "Token Black" in advertisements and cartoons is a direct correlation of the American population. You have to play to your audience.

Sammy O.
In reference to the cartoons. I think it would be unfair to refer to those specific characters as token black people. I mean if you saw the shows. The main character of rugrats was raised in a Jewish family. Chucky's father married interracially. These shows were built to reach a mass audience. I think it would've been almost unfair to the series to add more African Americans just to cater specifically to a black audience rather than, just making "African American" a demographic that they reach out to. I mean in reference to African Americans we represent 13 percent of the total population. 8 main characters on rugrats 1 main character was black. 1/8=13 ummmm. Is it "token" or is it just fair.

Plus,, I mean demographic goes deeper than race. You have to look at the mentality of the children watching the show. Like those people with brothers, step relatives, parents from different cultures, children with only one parent (specific to rugrats a child whose lost a parent). Children who feel as though they need to compensate for things they cannot control (Angelica). Sometimes the conversation goes deeper than the physical, and if you look at the mentalities ,environments , and attitudes of the children, everyone on each of those cartoons was a very different person regardless of his or her racial designation.

3Psi09
I think that its more so of the everlasting statement that "you are you hang with". If you surround yourself around white people or hang out in settings that are dominated by a particular group of individuals, their tendencies will become yours. An osmosis of sorts.

Terrance
This is one particular topic that sometimes enrages me. There is nothing wrong with having a particular preference, but I have heard individuals speak of women of a darker tone as if they are inferior or the "runt" of the litter. I completely disagree with the notions that not only women, but people of a lighter tone are better than those of a darker tone. As long as we have frivolous issues like these within our own race, why should America respect us? There are more important issues to focus on besides one's color. You can only check Black at the end of the day, there's no box for "light black" or "dark black".

"NIGGER"

Chris Rock so adamantly stated "There is a Civil War going with black people: And there's two sides there's black people and there's niggers. And the niggers have to go."

Can you honestly say that the word Nigger can be used as a term of endearment?

Identified on Dictionary.com as "probably being the most offensive word in English" there is no reason why the N-word should be used. Derived from Slavery, which is the most shameful part of American history, Nigger was used to label black people as being ignorant, savage, inferior, and vile in nature.

It's as if parts of black society have become jaded by its meaning and brainwashed to think that if it is used amongst one another it is in turn "being taken back". Parts of black society is believing that using the word Nigger is "giving back" the power to the black community.

Ok, so your saying a word that was created by white, racist, slaveowners who looked at slaves as property to begin with, is "being taken back"?

My question is when was this word ever owned by the black society in the first place? Blacks were not founders of the word Nigger. So, When did it become exceptional to say? If it is if fact a "term of endearment", why do people become so offended when other races (particularly white people) use it? Does it truly help the progression of black society? Why has its history been forgotten?

The Stigma of Homosexuality in the Black Community

Wait. Before you form your ideas based on the title and pictures of this post, we should examine the facts. Its here. In America. Homosexuality. In the African-American community. Deal with it. Now that we've gotten that out of the way, we should explore American homosexuality in relation to the black community. What are we so afraid of? Yes, we all have our personal believes and no one is trying to dissuade you from your convictions of right or wrong (or am I?) but we must acknowledge the presence of this stigma in order to begin working through and accepting the diversity of the Black American community.

I think we can start with everyone's favorite sub-topic of Black homosexuality: "down-low brothers". This vernacular term can be defined as black men who portray heterosexuality in public but in private he acts on his true sexuality without the knowledge of his friends, family, girlfriend, and/or wife. When we examine this topic, does anyone initially think of the "brother's" infidelity to his significant other or the secrets he keeps from his loved ones? No. We think of the fact that he is gay and ashamed and we think its wrong for whatever reasons. There are plenty of openly homosexual men and women in America who live happy "normal" lives. So why is he ashamed? Why are WE ashamed?

I think we can begin with the religious and spiritual beliefs of the African American community. And not just Southern Baptist Christian! but other belief systems too. I'm going to go out on a limb and make a large assumption and identify African-Americans as having some kind of strong religious belief system or background, whatever it maybe. From these beliefs systems, we MAY have been taught that the homosexual way of life is an abomination or whatever hard core word you would like to use there. But what gives anyone one the position to judge the righteousness of others?

We have to remember that there is diversity in the Black American community. Not just light skin/ dark skin, not just "hood" or proper, not just rich or poor, but their is also gay and straight. And just like we acknowledge the juxtaposition of other topics, we must acknowledge and accept this as well. What are we afraid of? Why are we ashamed? What can we as a community do to improve?

Black vs. African American

Society gives Obama the title of African American before they acknowledge him as a black presence in America. He is seen as not being Black enough because he is biracial and does not only associate with one of those races but both. This brings up a heavily debated topic: Black vs. African American. It seems that the connotation that comes with the word "African" is negative while the American is ignored. Though someone may have African ancestry they are still American. Also it does not make one person more black than the next if he/she is of African descent.

African is beautiful and is not something that should be frowned upon. I think that by having a President that is of African descent, it will allow others to develop a more educated sense of what it really means to be African through his experiences and through his televised return to his father's native country.

What do you think about this topic? Is Black better than African American? You decide!

Token Black

In a society bombarded with images from the media, we have become accustomed to advertisements. Our economy is greatly impacted on the consumerism of America. How do we get Americans to keep spending and watching? Where's the best place to put this ad? How exactly do advertisers promote their product? Depending on the product and the demographic of the advertisement, the ad should reflect the people who they are marketing to. However, in most ads there is just one or two people of color amongst a plethora of white faces. Do they really represent, not only the consumers of America, but the citizens of America?

For instance, let's examine this Gap advertisement.



Now, this is America. ...What? There's a black woman AND an Asian woman... But there also are 7 other white women: 5 blond and 2 barely brunette. Yet this is American advertising's definition of a diversity ad.

And we all now this happens on television as well. I love a good teen drama. And I love it even better when there's that ONE special black heartthrob. Here's a photo of the new cast of 90210.



Real World is one of the best examples of the "token black", well "token anything". There has to be at least one Black person (preferably from a rough background), one super religious person, one homosexual, a plethora of bisexuals and everyone has to be crazy (I added that part).





We can't leave cartoons out!





So what do you think? Shouldn't we be happy that we at least made it into these advertisements, shows, and other forms of media? Or should we make our presence even more main stream?

We Work in the White House Too

There was once an America where Blacks could not vote, not vote in a country that was founded on equal rights. They could note vote in a country that they helped to build, a country that was prosperous because of their manual labor. Discouraged and simply denied the right to vote, Blacks fought and struggled for so many years for their rights to be true Americans and have a say in who runs their government; and with hard work comes reward.

Today Black politicians are becoming more prevalent in society and true forces within our government. Now Blacks, young and old, have someone on Capitol Hill that can speak, represent them. These leaders are positive role models for their communities and are examples of how far Black people have come so far in a society where they were not always welcomed (and still may not be in some places). Black politicians hold a position of power, one position that can elevate them and their communities to brighter heights.

Ask Yourself?

How do you feel about this comment, "She is pretty for a dark-skinned girl."?

The Plight of "The Uppity Negro"

The "Uppity Negro" is a stigma that has plagued the black community, dating back to the times of W.E.B. Dubois, founder of the Niagara Movement and Booker T. Washington founder of Tuskegee University. Two influential figures in American society, the views of both men contributed opposite views to how black people should act, dress, think, eat, live, be educated, and essentially exist in society.

W.E.B. Dubois believed that the "problem of the twentieth century is the color line". With his th that Black people possess a double-consciousness the idea of "two souls... a American, a Negro" he argues that both work against eachother, instead of fusing to create a free-thinking, individual. Dubois believed that it is ignorant to be defined by superficial stereotypes, but instead the contents of his/her own beliefs, personality, values, goals, and intellect.

In comparison to Washington's theory that he adamantly proclaimed in the 1895 Atlanta Compromise speech, Washington claimed that the black's will "content itself with living by the production of our hands", directly implying that there was no need for blacks to be educated in anything other than agriculture, domestic services, and other professions that did not require the "white" collegiate education.

As a result, of these two different ideas forms the foundation of the issues that the black community still faces that have manifested intra-racial criticism and discriminatory opinions. These opinions contribute to the negative connotations that come with the black organization Jack & Jill of America that is believed to promote the idea of "Uppity Negroes" because of the specific requirements to be part of the organization. Instead of promoting the community service, legislative advocacy, unity, confidence, and esteem it establishes for black adolescents it downplays the desire those involved have to progress, grow, lead, and compete in American society. Why can't black people be apart of country clubs, have houses in Martha's Vineyard, speak properly, be in a cotillion, go to private school, or attend Ivy League institutions without the constant remark of acting "white". It isn't enough to say change and acceptance is happening in the black community, in order to change it is imperative that the black community stop accepting complacency and embrace every kind of black person without labeling or forcing them into a static 1 dimensional persona.

Does class truly have a color?

What does it really mean to portray "white" aka "uppity" tendencies?

Mind Control and the Media

Black people in American society are constantly negatively portrayed in the media. It has been a reoccurring problem that needs to be eradicated quickly. The media, whether it be a magazine, newspaper, blog, or news/television program, is always the first to communicate current issues and incidents to the public. If the media is supposed to be the tool for people to know whats going on locally and globally, then the news given out concerning Black people shouldn't always enhance myths and stereotypes, but should shed light on the positive occurrences happening in the Black community. Max Payne supports my claim, "In regards to Black America the blunt fact that so many non-Blacks raise an eyebrow whenever they see an educated or well spoken Black person on TV supports the idea that the media portrays most Blacks as undereducated, vice-seeking, financially poor individuals". Why are we constantly being displayed as a lesser race? Why is the history of slavery still present in the 21st century? Who is controlling the media? What is their goal in exposing false realities about Black people? CEOs of major news stations ABC and FOX are white, Americans seeking to negatively represent Black America at any cost. Anne Sweeney, and Roger Ailes are the CEOs of ABC and FOX and are known for their controversial portrays of Black America and other ethnic and religious groups as well. These WHITE AMERICAN CEOs are in control of what people are seeing in their home and gather into their mind. Sweeney and Aile's, as well as many other corrupt CEOs are controlling the minds of the American people and as a result the American people construct their opinions based on the media and not on what they have researched and studied. Mind Control in the media is a serious problem many people ignore which is why it is important to voice your OWN opinion and truth concerning various issues going on in American society. Is racism and the negative portrayal of a people constitutional and what our Four Fathers wanted for American society?

Light Skin vs. Dark Skin

Color is a complex topic in the Black community. It creates a division that states that the lighter a Black person is, the better he/she is. The color complex dates back to the times of slavery when people were treated better if they had a lighter toned skin color. The lighter slaves were kept in the house while the darker slaves were forced to work long hours out on the plantation. These injustices have been carried over into the future generations and are still having the same effects today.

Specifically with women, the color complex is believed to greatly affect women's success rates in America. It is believed that the lighter a woman is the more recognition and success she will gain in American society. For example, if oen is to examine hip hop videos, most "video vixens" are light skinned with nice bodies. They are at the front of the shot in the camera while the darker women are in the background of the shot. It makes lighter skinned women seem better than darker skinned women. Are they?

I too Sing America

I, too, sing America.

I am the darker brother.
They send me to eat in the kitchen
When company comes,
But I laugh,
And eat well,
And grow strong.

Tomorrow,
I'll be at the table
When company comes.
Nobody'll dare
Say to me,
"Eat in the kitchen,"
Then.

Besides,
They'll see how beautiful I am
And be ashamed--

I, too, am America.

-Langston Hughes

Does Hughes' poem still resonate in the lives of African Americans today?