Benetton has the right idea

The question “What are you?” has always and will continue to be a part of my life as people will always be curious to know the recipe behind my mixture. I have learned to turn an annoying question into one of progress and inquisitive exploration into this world of culture. I think it is wonderful that people are asking these questions about people because that is exactly how people will learn about other cultures and become comfortable with what is “different.” Let me set the tone for ya…Check out the Doll test—> http://www.understandingrace.org/lived/video/index.html and then read…

ATL BLACK AND WHITE... terragalleria.com

Compared to other great cities in America, ATL is much less of a melting pot of cultures and ethnic backgrounds. Many would agree that ATL is very black and white… with little gray area. And yes, I am talking about the people. We are the capitol of the dirty south! Georgia’s history is no secret that slavery, racism, and power struggles occurred on the very grounds that we uphold today as a great place to live. There are lots of aspects of ATL that I love… the nightlife, the food, the music, the art, the city, the closeness to the suburbs… and even the people. I have met some cool ass people in Atlanta! In general, people here have a rep for southern hospitality. We’re more chill and take the time to say “hello.” Right?! For the most part, I agree. But, since I’ve been somewhat a connoisseur of the nightlife in ATL… I think shit is a little too Left and Right. Fem-fATL and our networks have come together to promote diverse, chill atmospheres where people can be themselves. It all started when Urban and I became regulars at MJQ! I have fun pretty much anywhere I go… but I definitely enjoy myself the most in diverse atmospheres. Set aside the hair texture, the skin color, the eye shape and color, the height, and anything else that would distinguish one under a given race….. There are NO biological distinctions or genes between us that give reason as to why we are white, black, brown, yellow, pink, purple, and blue. We may wear different JEANS… but we all share the same GENES! The way we look, act, and think come from adaptations of our ancestry that contribute to who we each are as individuals today. For example, people who live near the equator have darker complexions to protect them from the strong rays of the sun. People who live further away from the equator tend to be shorter and stalkier for further insulation and protection from harsh winters.

Where is the diversity? Where is the knowledge of various cultures? Why are people only partying with their own kind? What did your ancestors have to adapt to that contribute to why you look the way you do?

Check out Sexy Ass Smokey Robinson on Def Poetry Jam… This is good ish:

 
Although what I’m saying is that there is not one gene that separates us as humans… I am completely aware that race still exists today. Race exists because it is socially constructed and until we all break this silence, race will always exist. Our minds have been conditioned from a history of racial differences and power struggles, where the “white” race was always said to be pure and good, while the “black” race (and other colors in between) was thought to be less and bad. We know now that in the past, many acts of racism were instigated by fear of dominance of one race over the other. In America, the foundation of our country was based on exploitation of non-white races in order to maintain political and social power and to build our way up to the most dominant country in the world. Although our country has been successful in achieving such world power, the idea of our “melting pot” of races still continues to struggle. The social construction of races of the past had allowed for attaching stigmas to each of the races and even helped define the American idea of upper, middle, and lower classes. Classism is a whole separate issue from racism that has also helped promote stigmas. These stigmas have decreased over time in such a politically correct environment, however those stigmas still reiterate themselves in today’s society and continue to work toward and against people.  Help get rid of these stigmas and take the time to learn about people beneath their skin.  Change starts with you.