Sensitive Anyone?

Let's get something straight: Black people, you're only allowed to get offended if somebody misrepresents YOU. If they correctly represent others of your social demographic, that's not racism, that's truth. For example:

1. Chris Rock gets up on stage and talks about how some Blacks spend their money on rims. Common sense tells you it doesn't apply to all Blacks; first of all, the Black man on stage prolly doesn't have em. Second, you prolly don't have em. But you do know a sufficient number of Blacks that do have them to give his statement merit. So getting mad at that is really splitting hairs; if you're not guilty, you have nothing to worry about. Did I mention that was only one joke in an entire performance that zeroes in all pretty much all facets of society? ...I prolly should have.

2. Aaron McGruder creates the Boondocks and makes a few Black characters that are ignorant. It would be one thing if that was the only type of character he created... But his cast represents the full spectrum of Black culture: the Black Middle Class, the Black Militant, the "Nigga", Mulattoes, Uncle Toms, Sell-Outs, you name it. That's not stereotyping, that's reality. There is a difference. Creating such a show and only exhibiting the "ideal" characters would only connect with the "ideal" demographic (a la The Cosby Show); i.e., nobody else would care because they wouldn't see themselves represented. For a person of one demographic to get upset of the portrayal of another demographic (especially when their own demographic is already represented) strikes me as unrealistic and one-dimensional.

You know, I was just thinking the other day and I realized something. I think the most meritable "speakers" in our societies throughout human history have been the comedians and satirists. You know why? Because, no matter what the time period, these are the only people who care enough to say something, but don't care enough to sugarcoat it. You can count on comics and satirists to explore ANY issue that gives them the ammunition they need to make you scratch your head.

Yeah, preachers should be on my list. But let's be real: its only in recent years that preachers have had the 'nads to be brutally honest. If you don't believe me, some of you reading this actually think gay preachers are justified. And that's because your preacher won't even touch the issue. 'Nuff said.

Cats are way-way too sensitive for this war. They want things to get better, but they don't want to admit how bad thing are. They want the cure, but won't diagnose the severity of the disease; therefore, they have NO IDEA the proper dosage necessary to change anything. They think it's gonna be a cakewalk to change because everything is so sugarcoated; if they knew the reality, they woulda brought more ammunition.

But then, when reality is presented through a satirist or comedian, sensitive Black people tend to see them as the enemy. They're so concerned with people's perceptions being changed by negative images, but they don't realize that people have already perceived the worst; we're behind the curve because half of us don't want to face the reality. And what's worse is these negative perceptions, though reinforced in the media, are first actualized in reality. Nobody's making this stuff up; remember: "Art-imitates-life-imitates-art."

You know, I think a lot of the reason Black people are so sensitive is because for so long ideals were all we were taught. Think about the shows we grew up watching; they were nice, wholesome shows. But they represented more the exception, than the norm. "The Cosby Show" for instance: Black doctor married to a Black lawyer; all kids could afford to go to college; "worst" kid goes to Africa and marries a military man. Don't raise your hands Black people, but is this your family? I was blessed to have two parents, but aside from one or two other friends, I can't think of anyone else that did. And growing up I had a LOOOTT of friends...

Look, all I'm saying is this... When you wake up in the morning, you look in the mirror first, right? Because it lets you see which naps you might need to comb or if itz a booger up ya nostrus or sumn. But if you just jump out the bed, say "I'm the sh!t", and walk out the door, you're gonna get laughed at all day for THINKING you have your act together when you really don't. Refusing to see problems doesn't make them any less real, and focusing on whatever's right doesn't make whatever's wrong disappear either. Either see the whole of the spectrum and stop being so sensitive, or keep deluding yourself and making no progress.

You Missed a Spot B-J