You all have to excuse me. I had to handle some business but I’m back!

         I would like to talk about my community and our image! Now, we all know that we are unfairly portrayed on TV. According to marketers, we appeal to almost every negative connotation out there. We are some chicken eating, narcissistic, immature, uneducated and stereotypical people. Now we all know that’s not the case for MOST blacks but that is all “others” want to focus on.

          The roles we play in movies have gotten better but they have not strayed far from the past. You are still more likely to see some stereotypical characters in movies like “Madea’s big happy family” (or whatever the title is) as opposed to a movie about a challenging romance or a successful businessperson competing in the modern day world (just an example; there are movies out there but not enough to be note worthy).

          So, the question is where do we stand? I mean, do these stereotypes have some validity? The answer is YES! I hate to say it but we are just like every other race of people. There are many, many BLACK PEOPLE and even more N*GGAS. The same is true about WHITE PEOPLE and REDNECKS or the SPANISH POPULATION and their stereotypical counterparts. Yes, every race has its dirty laundry. It’s just that black people tend to leave their sheets hanging out to dry long enough for our neighbors to notice and make judgment. The slogan “keep home, at home and out of the streets” (meaning, do not put your business in the streets) is long gone. How do I know this? I’ve caught a couple episodes of Maury and witnessed many “court shows” on daytime TV, as I lay in bed sick. It’s all disheartening.

          It doesn’t help that statistics are involved too. Most of our counterparts are struggling financially but still find ways to flaunt jewelry and name brand clothes and accessories. There are more “how to get a man and keep one” books then there are romance novels. Unrealistic standards have played a major part in the HIGH divorce rates (should have made sure they were ready instead of the “might as well” mentality). In addition, the murder rate in predominately-black cities and states is alarmingly high. So yes, we have many issues that are not race-specific. Yes, other races of people have these same problems. The only difference is we all have that “rapper” mentality. You know deep down inside, nothing about you is “gangster” and you are far from a “bitch”. Nevertheless, for some reason, you set up your lifestyle and the atmosphere around you to look that way. It is all a front, but you don’t know any better. Why? Because TV and societies expectations have added that pressure. It is stupid but it’s true. If you are a black man, you are expected to act out violently or give the notion that you are tough, whenever presented with an altercation. The same goes for females. Therefore, we brag on how tough we are, when all along you know you don’t really want those problems. You know you don’t want to go to jail and you don’t want to deal with the consequences of your actions but you feel compelled to let everyone know “you aint no punk”…. Moreover, it has gone too far, to the point that black men don’t know what a man is. You have teenagers and other black men dressing like thugs because they think that is what makes them look tough. As if being tough had anything to do with manhood. You have young women dressing like Nicki Minaj and Trina (provocative) because they think that’s what makes them look sexy… Priorities anyone????

          Our image needs a MAKEOVER. I think, instead of bringing back the fade and skinny jeans; we need to focus on the old school, “what would Jesus do” slogans. Pull our pants up and get on our “Barak Obama,” instead of worrying about swag! Our mentality is not where it needs to be. Whatever happened to, “treat people the way you want to be treated?” You don’t like to be nice? Think about it!

I know that this post repeats many of the topics I’ve talked about in the past but, that’s ok. Same theme, new tone!… The next post will be fresh and totally new!