Skipping Through the Battle Gates

The term pick your battles usually is referenced to choosing your causes wisely rather than involving yourself in senseless issues whose maturation will only manifest into infantile results. In laments terms pick your issues wisely, not everything is a battle, sometimes it is what it is! Henry Louis Gates aka Skip Gates (btw – what black man you know is named Skip?, ok let me not digress on this one I could take this to a whole other level ). Personally I’m tired of all the Skip Gates media; one may think that I would be enthralled with all that’s going on, but actually I’m really upset but not for the reasons most would think.

According to Skip and most of the media this is a classic case of white man picking on black man and what makes it worst is this is not your average black man, oh no, it’s a Harvard law professor. On paper and with the quickness it seems like just another case of racist police brutality sprinkled with no matter how successful a black man is he can’t get a break. It’s get no better than this, except it’s not all THIS!!

This particular scenario differs greatly from your normal police brutality. As the story goes Skip Gates came home from a long trip and could not get into his home apparently there was something amiss with the door. He proceeded along with an assistant, man servant whoever it was to pry his door open using his body, not smart for a Harvard professor if you ask me…..I most likely would of called a locksmith or as some reports say the house was previously burglarized, at this point he probably could of called campus police; after-all he is Henry “Skip” Gates, I’m sure they would of came running. While watching this prying door act a concerned citizen exercised her American duty and called the police and reported what she saw as a robbery in progress. An officer responded to the call, however while en-route Skip was able to pry his door open and as well all know was in his residence. This is where it gets interesting. The police officer is under the impression that someone was burglarizing a residence, so when he gets there and see someone there it is rightly his duty to ask for identification to make sure that duh the robber didn’t get in. Skip on the other hand is upset, how dare someone ask him for his ID in his own home. OK, I can feel you on that, but when the officer explained about the door prying etc. Skip should of complied and said OK here it is. Instead Mr. Harvard went on a tangent and started yelling “Racial Profiling” I won’t go into the rest of the story because we all know by now what happened. Skip kept going on, the officer said calm down, Skip didn’t and was arrested. According to the officer it was about disorderly conduct according to Skip it was about racial profiling, hmmmmm…… I have issues with the coupled opinions of this story but I have say I am deeply troubled with Skip’s version.

Racial profiling where do I begin?? To my understanding racial profiling is when law enforcement unfairly targets minorities particularly blacks and hispanics. Perfect examples of racial profiling are:

- DWB (Driving While Black)
- Being followed by a security guard in a department, while your white counterpart is stealing Gucci scarves.
- Police brutality – can someone way Abner Louima, Amadou Diallo and the most famous of them all Rodney King.

I’m sure there are many more examples of profiling but for now these three above will have to do. Getting back to Skip, how in the hell is an officer asking you for ID in your home who he thought was being robbed is a case of racial profiling? As a collective of people who have fought for equality we have no room for anyone nevertheless a scholar like Gates to inappropriately define an action as racial profiling when it clearly was not! Gates and the media are trying to act as if he’s the poster child for racial profiling. Jena 6 now that was racial profiling. Gates that’s just an (and yes I’m going there) an uppity negro who looked at this officer and felt I’m Skip I know your boss and hell no you can’t ask nothing of me. Skip thought his Ivy League world-renowned hanging out with Oprah and the Obamas earned him untouchable status, basically he’s the HNIC. Unfortunately for Gates he learned the hard way that you can’t defy law enforcement. Despite what many of us think most law enforcement officials are here to protect and serve. They honor their badge and some have even given their life for citizens. Disorderly conduct means disrespecting an officer, there has never been room in America for this act, just look at what happens to cop killers. Some critics have suggested that the officer could of let Gates rant and just leave him alone. I question the critics with this, if this had been me or you yelling at an officer and he arrested us for disorderly conduct and disregarded Gates’s act would that have been discrimination, not in the black or white sense but of the elitist kind?? Like Arsenio use to say things that make you go hmmm……….

Sgt. Crowley in my opinion acted in the most appropriate manner. I can only say this from my experience of dealing with a similar situation in my home. Not to along my husband and I were at the local mall and received a call from our alarm company. We immediately went home and actually beat the cops there. The cops arrived shortly after and the first thing they asked us was for our ID. We never once felt threatened, discriminated or violated. It was their job to make sure our premises was secure. He didn’t know us from a hole in the wall and had every right in my home to make sure I was who I said I was. This is called securing the premises. There was nothing racial or unjust with this officer’s actions. And I’m assuming Sgt. Crowley was behaving in the same manner. Unlike my officer, Sgt. Crowley encountered a disrespectful, belligerent human being and for that Gates was arrested not because he was BLACK!

My core issue with this whole Gates racial profiling saga, is that it’s NOT racial profiling; it’s an ivy league African American man who is misinterpreting the term racial profiling for an elitist who just didn’t get his way. To quote the great literary title from Carter G. Woodson, Gates is acting like a “Mis-educated Negro”. For generations our people fought for equality and challenged discriminative practices. We’ve fought many battles and are nowhere near ending the war. We do not have time to baby-sit a fraudulent act of racial profiling. This whole scenario doesn’t deserve media attention; black pundits going off, Roland Martin, Tom Joyner even Barack Obama, come on people pick and choose your battles wisely. Skip may be your boy but I think you all know the differences of racial profiling vs. disorderly conduct. This should NOT be viewed as the new black cause poster child for racial profiling. Talking about media and black pundits I find it ironic that Sharpton and Jesse have barely mumbled a word. These are two activists that give me that love hate feeling, yet they always seem to appear and jump on the Black Attack train. Notice their kind of silent. There aren’t any protests at the Cambridge police dept, no demands for public apologies, pretty quiet and I’m sure it’s not because the Jacksons are keeping them busy. Al and Jesse know real racial profiling and they’re smart enough to know this ain’t it! It’s time the rest of us smarten up and realize not every black and white issue is discrimination. The term race relations means working on both sides, it’s time we as people of color also honor the true meaning. Sometimes a spade is just a spade and nothing more!

CNN Blacks in America Part 1 – 2009

Here we go again. I could barely stomach this much-hyped show. It could be due to my experiences with the show last year, but honestly I did hope that they would come a little better, but nope once again true to form Soledad and CNN have no idea what the hell being Black in America is all about. Here’s my take on the latest minstrel.

1. Pre-Show – I’m tired of hearing about Skip Gates and here’s why. He’s walking around saying this could happen to any black man in America, no shit, where have you been?? The issue is it wouldn’t have happened to many of us and here’s the reason why. Most of us know when approached by poe-poe we know number 1) raise your hands to show you don’t have any weapons and number 2) speak in a non-threatening, non-hostile manner; from what I gather Skip didn’t following any of these rules. Let’s face it Skip may have been upset for a few reasons and rightly so, 1) he locked himself out, 2) his ass-hole neighbor doesn’t know who he is and 3) Police are coming into his house like he’s the criminal. I would be upset too yet I know from being Black in America (ha) that whenever I’m approached I have to respond differently, that’s just the way it is! It is unfair but guess what folks, “it is what it is.” Those are the real issues of being Black in America. I’m not afforded the same liberties as any white person. Skip is walking around and boasting as if he were beat up, like someone on my twitter said, “Skip acting like he in a Birmingham jail” (LOL). I for one never side with cops, there the biggest gang out here. Yet for some reason I could see Skip catching a bit of a tude and law enforcement just wasn’t having it. Notice how the cop refuses to apologize, he is sticking with his story. Skip is advertising like he is now damaged goods, he does go on to say “I’m Henry Louis Gates and it happened to me” My response is so fucking what, it’s happened to all of us, why are you any different, cause you pal around with Oprah and told her about her family history as well as other celebs. Yes, your contribution to our culture is astounding, but Mr. Gates, you’re still Black in America and now you really know there’s more work to be done! So stop whining and focus your research on the true heart of being Black in America!

2) Bushwick and Chris Rock’s wife – OMG – Where do I begin? First they show the broken down PJs. Is that news to any of us, white people included, I mean come on. Little sister has no enunciation, the teenage boy who is no bigger than 5′7 wants to be an NBA player, no surprise there, the other teen who can’t speak to interview for the trip to Africa. OK, I was done. Why are these kids like this? Are they lazy, just born stupid, will never know anything? The answer to all these questions are NOT!!! The answer is these kids live in a condition that constantly denies them access to anything that can uplift them. There are more drug treatment programs in Bushwick, Brooklyn than there are mentoring programs. The schools are dilapidated, the teachers could care less (maybe not all of them), the food in the area is not fresh; you can get a bag of weed quicker than you get a fresh apple. And yet these kids are suppose succeed. I have faith that despite their circumstances they will, after-all I’m a product! But that still doesn’t depict being Black in America, it may depict being a hostage to inequality, but Soledad once again you and CNN are not giving the real reason. I kid you not I swore they were going to show a slave cabin, that ’s how destitute they make us look. Yes it is our reality, but both white and Black America need to know “why” and then work on finding the solution. The solution is clearly not Chris Rock’s wife. Sending these kids to Africa to see how poor Africans live, what is that suppose to give them some newfound respect for their neighborhood?? Fact is those kids in Bushwick are OUR Africa! Help them! A trip! They need more than a trip, they need a long sustaining solution that can help them and thrive into their descendants.

3) MLT – How much is this program? I admire the brother starting this. I work in Corporate America and that glass ceiling is hard as shit to crack! Yet once again, we’re missing the “whys”. Let’s talk about discriminative practices in Corporate America. Going through a program like this is not going to guarantee you a path to CEOism. These barriers are hard to break, their traditional, there’s a lot of my daddy knows your daddy and so many other factors that deny us. Not once was the cultural clash in Corporate America mentioned. For instance, I’ve been to events where sushi is served. Maybe my palettes are not as refined but this Blacktina only eats cooked fish. Wait I’ll take it way back give me some whitings and it’s on (LOL). Funny as this may be my refusal to something as minor as sushi is a direct correlation to our differences and it plays out big time. There’s so much more; I can’t say I met so and so on the tennis court, or we attended boarding school together in Switzerland. Once again the cultural clashes in Corporate America are so vast that you’re not even getting near the glass ceiling. Folks I don’t mean to sound doom and gloom, I’m just giving reality. Without a doubt some of us will have the opportunity to succeed. However, this show is telling us we can get this if we commit to a program such as this when in reality there are so many variables that do control the management of our progression.

Part 2 is on tonight, can’t promise I’ll watch. I may try to get some tidbits in. I’m just not sure if my blood pressure can handle CNN’s portrayal, we’ll see manana.

Hello My Name is Blacktina and I’m a Wise Latina Woman!

Sonia Sotomayor - A Wise Latina Woman

HA in your face white supremacy! Hay mi hermana Sonia (translation – Oh my sister Sonia) what you had to endure this past week during your confirmation hearings all because you proudly referenced in a speech the phrase “Wise Latina Woman.” Incredibly they had nothing else on you. You were never on drugs, didn’t have a teenage a pregnancy, was never a stripper, didn’t have 5 baby daddys; you know who’s your Mommy and Papi, no crazy family secrets, NADA, NOTHING, ZILCH!!! You my darling did not fit the typical Bronx Puerto Rican stereotype that this country expects. All they can say was you said “Wise Latina Woman” and the only thing they could do was try to translate that phrase and refer to it as your confession of being a racist, reverse racism, I might add! Oh white supremacy, you’re getting stale. Even for you this is soooo far fetched.

I am obsessed at the condemnation of this comment and why it is being viewed as a negative phrase. Is it because it is that odd that the words “Wise” and “Latina” are mentioned in the same breath? Or is it because when the word “Latina/Latino” is mentioned its hardly met with any positive inference and this time it wasn’t? I kind of believe the later is what really pissed off modern white supremacy. For centuries, I’m not going years, cause you see this has been going on for way to long, if you’re non-white it’s OK to refer to you as anything else as long as it opposes positive references. Look at the evening newscasts, for years whenever there was a crime, the description of blacks and latinos were accurately depicted. If it were a white person, you just heard the word “man or woman”. I always felt the reason for these inconsistencies were whites are the majority race (so they say), therefore it is automatic when referring to the human race the white person is automatically assumed. So when Sonia went off in public and defied how the race should be mentioned in their eyes all hell broke loose. Remember they have ALWAYS had the luxury of defining us the way they want to; anything in opposition is challenged by the word they claim to hate the most, yet they practice it the most and that’s RACISM!

White people love to defend themselves as they oppose affirmative action and statements like the one made by Sonia. They love to say “we” can get past the racism if you do. Bullshit, your Daddy was racist, your Granddaddy was one and guess what it’s ingrained and you are one too. How can we get over it, when YOU’RE still on it! Sonia was not being a racist and I’m not defending her because I’m a blacktina, however, I can understand the importance of imaging yourself in a positive light. Let me briefly try to attempt to explain to white America how Sonia’s comment was not a diss to you but rather an empowerment for my race.

Sonia and like the rest of us minorities (God I hate that term) MUST ALWAYS state our ethnicity as we achieve greatness. When your race is normally associated with all the vileness of society (i.e. higher incarceration rates, teenage pregnancy, drug abuse, broken homes, etc.) it then becomes essential to advertise when one of us does achieve something positive. We are a race that is trying to break cycles. We can no longer live mediocre, it’s just tiring. We must move forward, but sometimes the only way to do so is to be inspired. Sonia has inspired so many blacks and latinos by her upbringing and her overcoming of challenges which has led her to place where she stands today. Our babies need this nourishment and it our responsibility as parents biological or not to feed our babies with positive reinforcement. We can’t rely on “You” to do it. History has shown that you won’t and you never will as evident by your recent comments condemning Sonia. Just look at the Pat Buchanon’s, Bill O’Reilly’s and Rush Limbaugh’s, I purposely use them in a plural form because there are so many like them. As long as they exist we as a minority sector in this country MUST never be ashamed of our accomplishments. To quote Marianne Williamson, “Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.” Please take this to heart, as we publicized who we are and how great we are, we are giving permission to others to do the same! That’s Powerful!!! Always remember they use to stop us from reading, they can’t stop us no more. Slander is trash and dies down easily, but the sharing of your accomplishments to your people will NEVER deteriorate as easily.

Lastly, the other reason why we MUST always advertise our accomplishments is we need to eliminate the expectations you have of us. For example, just the other day I was passing by an exclusive high rise apartment building in the city. As I looked into the lobby window I saw a black woman cleaning and a white man had stepped off the elevator. I noticed as he stepped off she diligently picked her pep as she was changing a trash bag. He passed by her without any notice in a nonchalant manner. This man was not surprise to see this woman doing this type of work. You can tell by his stride and her actions that they were both accustomed to being in these roles. This is a perfect example of how we have to change how we are viewed; we can only do this by promoting ourselves in a positive light.

Sonia’s actions were based on the above scenarios whether she knew it or not. We come from a race of hardships coupled with ingenuity. When we reference our race to our accomplishment we are essentially sending signals, actions reminiscent of our enslaved ancestors who sent signals to protect and warn. Our modern day signals do protect and warn but also encourage, inspire, uplift, inform, defy propaganda, enlighten, etc. all those variables that are constantly denied to us.

So white America you want us to stop shouting from the rooftops and call it reverse discrimination. Well Chico, you go ahead and keep doing what you do! We on the other hand will never STOP! We have bigger fish to fry and for once your majority will NOT CONTROL this minority!

Peace Out,
Blacktina
A Wise Latina Woman

Why Do People Like to Play God?

The belief of a Jehovah Witness is that only one God, Jehovah him/her self is the only person, or thing than can be idolized. Being a Catholic and trust me not a practicing one, there are other beliefs of this religion (JW) that I don’t agree with. However, their dedication to idolize one true God is one that I wholeheartedly support, especially when dealing with those who think their on par with the almighty. This article is not about religion though it started out that way but about those who obtain power and become obsessed with the likes of the “yesses” (pronounced Yes-ses. Plural for yes, I made it up

The “yesses” are those who would do anything for a person they perceive as having some sort of power. In corporate America the “god” like personas are the executives, VPs, managing partners, etc. These individuals with these titles are regarded as the second coming of Christ. The sad thing is they know it and will capitalize on it as much as they can. The even sadder part is the individuals that cater to them while giving up their integrity and soul. Being in corporate America for 22+ years I somewhat think I’ve seen it all. I say somewhat because I’m sure there’s more to come. What’s sparking me to write this article is a particular instance that proved these “top notch” people are not God and if you’re a “yesses” you should watch who you obsessively cater to.

Recently the managing partner of my firm, which is the equivalent of a CEO, abruptly resigned and took employment at a competitor firm. Oh and here’s the killer he also took his clients and anywhere between 5-10 junior and senior associates. In the legal world this is a serious blow. The business model in a law firm is quite simplistic. You have clients, they pay; the firm stays afloat. If you lose clients, Houston there’s a problem and right now my firm is in Houston mode. The ironic part of this whole situation is the faces of those who feel betrayed, not because he left but because they kissed his ass so much. They’re in shocked that he left them and didn’t even say good-bye.

This man was like God to these yesses. When he came into the office everyone got quiet. People said hello to him and he wouldn’t respond and guess what that was OK; he’s Mr. Big Shot he doesn’t have to speak. Whenever he called someone they came running. If he so happened to pay a compliment the yesses ran with it. If he were upset the yesses were ready to give up their first born to make him happy. I recall a time in which I had to tell someone who was getting on my case about him to calm down. This person was literally having a breakdown and citing that the situation was the worst thing that could have happened in the world. I reminded her that Hurricane Katrina was a tragedy; not having access to his Outlook mailbox doesn’t constitute a world disaster, jeez.

The problem the yesses now face with treating this man like God is that they treated everyone else like shit including those second in command. I’m sure by now you can guess what happened. The second in command is now in command and these yesses are going crazy trying to rectify themselves. In my opinion it’s too late. This guy knows bullshit when it’s in front of him. There’s no way these yesses are going to get past him. Memory can be an asset but to some it’s a hell of a liability. See, you should never idolize or praise blind allegiance to any “man”. Everyone is human and in the words of Jamie Foxx’s character Wanda, “they put their underwear on one leg at a time just like me”. The only aspect of life that should be worshipped is God. I’m not trying to get religious but it is true that “he” would never leave you. The yesses are experiencing what they should of known all along “man” has choices; meaning he can get up and go without any loyalty to you. God on the other hand doesn’t operate that way and to treat someone with the same loyalty you would to the Lord is just sickening.

I’m not sure if these yesses are programmed this way or if there are self-esteem issues and frankly I don’t care. The only part that affects me is I do believe others expect me to behave in the same manner and I can’t. This is when I become a Jehovah Witness. I can’t for the life of me kiss somebody’s ass. If I have work to do I’ll do it, even with a smile. But I can’t tolerate someone who can’t even convey simple day-to-day pleasantries, who barks orders and who can see you in public and act as if they’ve never seen you before. See with that type of bullshit I can’t kiss nobody’s ass. Sorry it’s just not for me.

With the departure of this individual I am a little saddened for the state of my firm; after-all it does affect my primary income. However, the look on the faces of the yesses is just priceless. F*ck the Master card commercials this took the cake (LOL). Personally I hope a lot of lessons are learned though I doubt they will be. I for one am happy that I am true to the human species. We are equal and I will treat you as you treat me. As the saying in the bible goes, “do onto to others as they do onto you”. I don’t know about the rest of you but if you are a yesses I hope you read your bible and take heave. Man is ONLY Man and nothing more!

Speak Now or Forever Hold Your Peace

These very words that are mentioned in wedding ceremonies hold so true when confronting antics within corporate America or at least that’s the wish of many of our so-called colleagues.

After 22 years in corporate America you would think by now I would be use to the “watch what you say”, “don’t say it”, “watch your tone” or the best of them all “just be quiet.” I for one have always had a problem with all these particular responses to issues. According to most of my Caucasian colleagues I get the impression that these responses refer to hostility, aggressiveness and lack of teamwork, which is always a red flag. However, I wonder why can’t they just be viewed a valued opinions, which is what most of their responses are viewed as??

Recently and once again I don’t why I’m amazed but I came across a situation where I felt it necessary to defend myself. As many of you know I’m currently employed within the technology sector. And as I said many of times the celebrity of technology positions are not what they use to be. Here’s the scenario, the company that employs me was upgrading its fax software. A massive email was sent out via the technology group, plus a training schedule and updates. It turned out the upgrade did not apply that morning but later on during the afternoon. A confirmation email had been sent to all users from the vendor stating the upgrade has taken change and their fax numbers have been ported over. Now, remember the communication that had been previously sent. Once the vendor sent out their communication I started to receive a flurry of emails asking me what is going on? Is this spam mail? What’s happening to the current program, etc. etc.? The most famous of these emails came from Human Resources with my boss cc’d informing me that I need better communication skills. She was what I would deemed, hostile (oops that’s one for me ☺). Basically her email stated “what is all of this and how come no one was communicated?” She also went on to give me some suggestions so I can avoid future mishaps as this.

I was pisst. I can’t even try to dress that up, but I did compose myself. I responded to her hostile email with the following:

1) Attachments of the emails previously sent
2) The training schedule
3) Updates

I also went on tell her that maybe she should send some communication stating, it’s the users personal responsibility to pay attention to emails from the technology group. Obviously all the users including her did not! She did not immediately respond directly to me, but contacted my boss who was also cc’d on the emails.

Here’s what happened next. For the sake of keeping this as true as possible, I’m going to write this as in screenplay format ☺

Scene 1 – Blacktina is confronted by her boss.

Crazy White Boss: Blacktina OMG what are you doing?
Blacktina: What are you talking about?
Crazy White Boss: The email you sent to HR. That wasn’t necessary.
Blacktina: Why not? I’m being told I didn’t communicate in which I did and they needed to know that communication had been sent.
Crazy White Boss: Blacktina it doesn’t matter if communication had been sent or not. It matters that we get on the ball with it now.

Scene 2 – While Blacktina holds her breath and thanks God for the mute button.

Blacktina: First of all we’re on the ball with this and have always been. Secondly if the communication doesn’t matter then why am I being called on it?
Crazy White Boss: You know HR they always have something to say.
Blacktina: Yes I know. The problem is they’ll have something to say on my review. And I do have the right to defend myself when I’m being told I didn’t do my job.
Crazy White Boss: Yes Blacktina, but it’s not a big deal.
Blacktina: If so then why are you calling me?
Crazy White Boss: I have to go, just be careful on what you send out.

Again I don’t know why I’m amazed. I’m basically suppose to accept an accusation and never ever defend myself and when I do I’m reprimanded. I’ve now been reprimanded for two things that I have done nothing wrong. Maybe someone can explain to me what should I have done?

There are so many layers of variances that people of color have to deal with in corporate America. Many think racism is as simple as black and white but as we all know it’s not that simple. I often hear and read comments how Blacks need to get over what happened 200+ years ago, especially when we talk about reparations. I say, why don’t YOU get over it. See simple crap like what I just experienced is indeed racism. And you may say No it’s not. But check this out if a white person would of responded the way I did, there’s no doubt that they would have been commended, perhaps their suggestion would have been taken into consideration. When I do it or any other person of color it’s perceived as hostile, petty and unnecessary. Some may think I may be sensitive but when I think about it I was called to the carpet twice in less than an hour for no error on my part. Sensitive is the least of my worries. I have to learn so I’m told how to work around these situations. For an educated degreed woman this is one puzzle I am not sure how to solve, nor do I think I want to. If anybody has any suggestions, kindly let me know. Other than that for all the peeps of color hang in there. In the words of MJ “You are not alone.”