o.m.g.
I’ve been through a southern election that elected a black man. I asked a guy, “how come the south is so full of blacks but that’s the only region that voted McCain?” “They all headed to Detroit” he answered. I’m in a racially divided town during the most momentous election in my lifetime. (there is no return on this computer, the gal spilled wine all over the keyboard so we don’t get paragraphs today) I was at a mixed race bar the night of the election. People were excited but there wasn’t any craziness. But every time I touched a black person and said, “Congratulations,” they broke out into a big smile. I felt the same way when the red sox finally won. It was an underdog victory. We elect symbolic representatives. And this was a major symbol to the world. I was so excited. I bought champagne and tried to make out with girls. What a great night. McCain gave an impressive speech, and then Obama gave an amazing speech and I thought to myself, “this bar is crowded, I’ll go next store and get a drink.” That’s what’s amazing about New Orleans. You can buy a beer and tell them not to open it, walk outside with it and go into a different bar. Or stand on the corner and drink it. This country is not running at full efficiency. I realize that. We could be a lot looser. Is Obama gonna bring me that? I don’t know. All’s I know is those big Black girls went off the chain when Michelle came out. She was so black up there! And looking so good! This morning when I went to the donut shop to get coffee, this black guy says to the black woman behind the counter, “How’s it feel to be a first lady?” and she answered, “I been a first lady for a long time.” That’s when it all sunk in. The majority of Americans have gotten over judging people by skin color. I’ve met people here this week that hate “niggers”. That’s true. But most americans have finally understood that whole thing about content of character. And that’s what makes me proud, finally, to be american. even if my parents voted for McCain.
your comments were so close to beautiful and then you N bombed. WTF? you don’t serve wedding cake with shit filling.
these results don’t just change things socially for Black folks it changes life as we have come to know it. The concept of Whiteness is deeply rooted in the way things have been structured for a few hundred years and now, in the time of Obama’s acceptance speech all of that was changed. let me tell you it FUCKING feels GREAT to have the entire world see a Black woman as something other than the negative stereotypes that have run the course of American history. I never signed up to have to explain why or how White folks have shown their ass since before this country was founded and now, I feel like I am no longer obligated to give cliff notes on black culture. if you don’t know why or how something about Black people is like it is, you’ll just need to do some social homework your damn self. It’s a shift because, as far back as history will explain in the States people have had to know everything about White people. Well now, they will need to know some social truths about Black people.
I am not fooled into believing that his election will rid the world of white supremacists (they are like roaches and bed bugs – something you can’t kill and are horrified by the site of)nor will is right all of the fucked upedness of history but it is a start. Politically he is still a part of a two party system but nonetheless, I will enjoy as much of this as I can and exhale a bit of relief.
On the flipside of that, what is up with all of the White guys thinking this is the moment to express their love of Black women? Election night was like being the last piece piece of cake at a fat kid’s party (thank you 50cent).
N’awlins is an anomaly, Blacks and Whites have had it worked out in that town for many years now by the way those folks are usually Creole (ask someone old for a history lesson while you are there). It’s not like the rest of the country but maybe some people need to learn from the example of the people in that town.
Comment by christina — November 6, 2008 @ 12:01 am
I’m really confused as to the used of the word “nigger.” It completely invalidated all the content that came before it. What a shame.
Comment by Ingrid — November 6, 2008 @ 3:18 pm
I agree he lost some points with the “nigger.” Jon really needs to look at his white entitlement. I know it is a hard thing to do.
Comment by al — November 6, 2008 @ 8:56 pm
that was a great comment Christina. I should have put quotes around my n-bomb, to put distance from my voice and the people who expressed that opinion to me. In fact I’ll do that now. Or should I say something like “there will always be racists?” maybe I got a thrill out of writing it. I just wanted to be real.
There was an Irish guy at one place I stayed, he came home with a bag of weed he’d bought on Bourbon St. He opened it up and it was literally some fresh weeds stuffed in those little ziplocs that hold a few grams.
“that fuckin (n-bomb) sold me shamrocks,” he said. And everyone in the room felt weird. I sure didn’t like the word. . He tried to explain he wasn’t racist, he didn’t mean it like this, he meant it like that and the whole time Christina’s comment to me was in my head. You can’t explain away why you say it, you can apologize and not do it again. I’m sorry to offend. Most times I’m not, but I am this time.
So the Irish guy was trying to be funny and laughing at ignorance helps, in a way. But don’t play with guns, especially loaded ones like that.
Comment by Rolston — November 7, 2008 @ 6:01 am
Yep, that word sucks. Can’t even use it when quoting somebody else without feeling a bit dirty. You want to create some painfully awkward tension in a room? Incorporate the N-bomb in to a sentence.
I don’t think a vote for McCain equates to racism or even a desire to suppress the good that comes from electing the first black president. However, after some time and reading Christina’s comments, I’m happier with the election outcome than I was a few days ago. Regardless of how the Obama presidency plays out (and the worst case scenario is nowhere near where some scaredy cats think it is), this is a monumental leap forward. If this moment on its own makes African Americans feel like this is their country, too (I’m assuming that wasn’t the sentiment before based on what I’ve read), what a moment.
I’m not surprised by white guys trying to get all over black girls as a result of this. Generally we like to handle positive emotional times by having sex with someone and then taking off when the moment passes. It’s not well thought out, we just go with our gut.
Comment by Lyle_s — November 7, 2008 @ 2:14 pm