I'm eyeballs deep into Our Kind of People, and I have to say, this is why I appreciate our book-selection process. I remember when Graham's book came out, and I always meant to read it, but honestly, while it was on my list, it was so far down on that list that I'm not sure I ever would have actually read it. And now, not only will I have read the book, but I can look forward to sitting around our Black Men Read?! table and reacting to it and listening to---and reacting to---eacn of your reactions to it. What could be better than that?
I say all that to say this: it's getting to be near book selection time again. Think of what you might want to suggest, and the system will be started up again not long after the new year. We'll be picking for March and May---I think. Rodney, you talked about a joint meeting with a women's group for March, didn't you?; what do you have in mind for which book we'll read? Should we pick as usual, and then invite the other group to read our selection with the understanding that next joint meeting we'll read what they're reading? Or vice versa? Let me know.
By the way, I'd appreciate it if you brothers would enter a brief comment below, just this once [even if it's no more than "present"], so I'll be sure who's gotten the message, okay?
Oh, and by the way: and I can't make dinner this off-meeting month: I'm going to Chattanooga to see the Richmond Spiders play for the FCS national championship, 8 p.m. Friday night on ESPN!!!!
GO SPIDERS!!!!
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
"He's Not Black"
Dude: if I'm working it right, I have no thoughts about an Obama assassination; meaning, literally, I try my best not to think about it. Not surprised about alleged white-folks chatter about it, but I'm keeping it out of my mind, except when I pray for BHO's safety...
Thought these articles might be of interest to you and anyone who's been following our conversation, Mark:
Here's Maria Arana's piece "He's Not Black":
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/28/AR2008112802219.html?hpid=opinionsbox1
Here's Ta-Nehesi Coate's precient reply:
Barack Obama isn't black
Maria Arana wishes to alert you to this fact. Before we proceed, let us note that one of the unfortunate things about this campaign is that a slur that is universally condemned when used by poor black kid, is now acceptable for everyone else. Where are all the anti-nationalists, now? Where are all the ones who told us that the biggest threat to black America, was our penchant for telling people they weren't black? What? Nothing? Meh, I should have known. Moving right along, here's Arana:
To me, as to increasing numbers of mixed-race people, Barack Obama is not our first black president. He is our first biracial, bicultural president. He is more than the personification of African American achievement. He is a bridge between races, a living symbol of tolerance, a signal that strict racial categories must go.
The logic here being that there are no black people who are biracial or bicultural. Whenever I read these jingoistic biracial arguments I wonder whether they're little more than attempts to take credit. Somehow, if, say, the Beltway sniper's mother was white, I don't think there'd be a throng of non-black people yelling, "But he's not really black!!"
I wish to highlight the authors parentage as "the child of a white Kansan mother and a foreign father." I mean no disrespect to her or her roots. I simply suspect this sort of thinking is most common among people who aren't likely to have been erroneously stopped by cops, endured fried chicken jokes, done the whop, been embarrassed by group of black kids acting a fool on the train, or snapped on someone's played-out Chuck Purcells--among other things. But you can judge that for yourself.
Look, the thing is this--or rather, the things are this. To be black is not simply to be the opposite of white. Black is a racial/ethnic/cultural/historical marker. Sometimes it's better to think of black people like you think of the Irish. Sometimes it's better to think of us like you think of the Jews. And still other times it's better to think of us as Southern. But mostly it's best to think of us as, you know. humans.
But nationalism--be it monoracial, biracial, or multiracial--has no respect for actual individual humans. And nationalism is really Arana's point--she simply seeks to substitute the strictures of one group (a charmed, rainbow of genes and cultures) and for another (a presumably, pure strain from straight out the Congo). But asserting that Obama isn't black but biracial, is really no better than asserting that he's black, but not biracial.
The arrogance of both arguments are quite stunning. As an African-American, I'd think myself far, far out of place to tell a dude whose mother was a Russian Jew, and father was a Muslim Arab, that he had no right to call himself a Jew or a Muslim or an Arab or even a Russiuan. What the fuck do I know about his life?
Everything flows from respect. Tiger Woods calls himself multiracial. The moral thing to do is not to launch into all sorts of diatribes about shame and blackness, but accept him as he accepts himself. But that cuts both ways. Barack Obama calls himself a biracial black man. The human thing to do, is nod your head and say "Got it." The human thing is to respect these dudes. Respect our own ignorance of their lives. And most of all, respect their humanity.
Permalink :: Comments (61) :: TrackBacks (0)
And here's "I'm Not Post-Racial," another reply, of sorts, to the Arana piece:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/28/AR2008112802233.html
Interesting reading....
Thought these articles might be of interest to you and anyone who's been following our conversation, Mark:
Here's Maria Arana's piece "He's Not Black":
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/28/AR2008112802219.html?hpid=opinionsbox1
Here's Ta-Nehesi Coate's precient reply:
Barack Obama isn't black
Maria Arana wishes to alert you to this fact. Before we proceed, let us note that one of the unfortunate things about this campaign is that a slur that is universally condemned when used by poor black kid, is now acceptable for everyone else. Where are all the anti-nationalists, now? Where are all the ones who told us that the biggest threat to black America, was our penchant for telling people they weren't black? What? Nothing? Meh, I should have known. Moving right along, here's Arana:
To me, as to increasing numbers of mixed-race people, Barack Obama is not our first black president. He is our first biracial, bicultural president. He is more than the personification of African American achievement. He is a bridge between races, a living symbol of tolerance, a signal that strict racial categories must go.
The logic here being that there are no black people who are biracial or bicultural. Whenever I read these jingoistic biracial arguments I wonder whether they're little more than attempts to take credit. Somehow, if, say, the Beltway sniper's mother was white, I don't think there'd be a throng of non-black people yelling, "But he's not really black!!"
I wish to highlight the authors parentage as "the child of a white Kansan mother and a foreign father." I mean no disrespect to her or her roots. I simply suspect this sort of thinking is most common among people who aren't likely to have been erroneously stopped by cops, endured fried chicken jokes, done the whop, been embarrassed by group of black kids acting a fool on the train, or snapped on someone's played-out Chuck Purcells--among other things. But you can judge that for yourself.
Look, the thing is this--or rather, the things are this. To be black is not simply to be the opposite of white. Black is a racial/ethnic/cultural/historical marker. Sometimes it's better to think of black people like you think of the Irish. Sometimes it's better to think of us like you think of the Jews. And still other times it's better to think of us as Southern. But mostly it's best to think of us as, you know. humans.
But nationalism--be it monoracial, biracial, or multiracial--has no respect for actual individual humans. And nationalism is really Arana's point--she simply seeks to substitute the strictures of one group (a charmed, rainbow of genes and cultures) and for another (a presumably, pure strain from straight out the Congo). But asserting that Obama isn't black but biracial, is really no better than asserting that he's black, but not biracial.
The arrogance of both arguments are quite stunning. As an African-American, I'd think myself far, far out of place to tell a dude whose mother was a Russian Jew, and father was a Muslim Arab, that he had no right to call himself a Jew or a Muslim or an Arab or even a Russiuan. What the fuck do I know about his life?
Everything flows from respect. Tiger Woods calls himself multiracial. The moral thing to do is not to launch into all sorts of diatribes about shame and blackness, but accept him as he accepts himself. But that cuts both ways. Barack Obama calls himself a biracial black man. The human thing to do, is nod your head and say "Got it." The human thing is to respect these dudes. Respect our own ignorance of their lives. And most of all, respect their humanity.
Permalink :: Comments (61) :: TrackBacks (0)
And here's "I'm Not Post-Racial," another reply, of sorts, to the Arana piece:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/28/AR2008112802233.html
Interesting reading....
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Coming Racial War?
Recently on a ride with a cycling group one of the members mentioned that several white people on their job admitted they were purchasing guns in anticipation of a impending racial war that will be sparked by the assassination of Barack
This same member overheard customers at a gas station in Caroline County discussing the election of Barack. One commented to the other "...don't worry, he'll be dead in three months".
Barbara Walters asked Barack about this matter during her special that aired Nov. 26 on ABC.
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/President44/story?id=6325238&page=1
Your thoughts?
This same member overheard customers at a gas station in Caroline County discussing the election of Barack. One commented to the other "...don't worry, he'll be dead in three months".
Barbara Walters asked Barack about this matter during her special that aired Nov. 26 on ABC.
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/President44/story?id=6325238&page=1
Your thoughts?
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Open Letter to Bliss Broyard
“How was Bliss?” asked my man Lindsay Robs, via e-mail a few days ago.
He’d wanted to come down from D.C. for her talk, but couldn’t. Me, I’ve been thinking about that very question for over a week now, and I’ve struggled, considering how to put my feelings words. I thought about putting it in a private e-mail to you guys, but then I thought, “You know, there’s nothing I’d say to you that I wouldn’t say to her”---it’s not like there’s some big secret… Still, to prevent me from saying something I have no business saying, I’m going to put my response in the form of an open letter to Bliss herself, just to keep me honest. Bear with me, please---it’s going to take awhile, because it’s not a simple subject, but here goes:
I’m one of many people, Bliss,
who have a love-hate relationship with theory. It’s wonderful to have someone think through many of life’s issues and concerns, and present them in a way that allows me to place my own thoughts or situation in that theoretical context and allow that context to explain certain phenomena. That’s what I like about theory. My problem with theory, however, is that it’s, well, theoretical---it’s in the air, it’s floating context. And I live on the ground.
And the more I think of it, that’s the problem I had with your stance on race---more specifically, “post-race”---at dinner after the talk. Now, one thing I definitely want to do is separate my feelings about your stance with my feelings about you. I liked you, and I enjoyed dinner, and I especially appreciated the way we disagreed. In my world, reasonable people can disagree and still shake hands and walk away smiling. As I’m sure you know, some people can’t quite pull that off, and I’m delighted that we were able to do so. Another thing I’d like to say is that I feel like your post-racial position was fairly representative of how I understand post-race theory in general, so I want you to read what follows as far more of a critique on the concept of “post-race” than on you, personally. Let’s just say you were the first person I’ve had an actual conversation with who held these views, and even though I was wary of post-racial theory before, it’d never been in my face, so to speak, until our dinner.
Now, I said a lot at dinner, and I’ve been thinking over what I said, and to be totally honest, I’m not backing down from any position I staked out. But since this is an open letter, and my fellow Black Men Read?! members weren’t at the dinner---although they did read your book---I’ll try to recount here, as best I can, your position and mine when it comes to what you called “the post-race ideal.”
My first problem was when, as best I can recall, during the Q&A, when asked which race you’d designate for your daughter, you said she knows her cousins, and, as you stood before a projected photo of your blond, blue-eyed daughter and her cousin, a phenotypically black child, you suggested that her racial designation wasn’t important in the grand scheme of things. Those are my words, not yours, and if you feel as if I misquoted you, I apologize for that, but that’s how I heard it. And when we talked later, at dinner, we talked specifically about raising children, and that’s where the disagreement came from.
See, race is, indeed, as the theorists say, merely a fiction, only a cultural construct. True enough. But it’s a fiction that everyone believes in. Let’s compare it with, say, astrology. Astrology is a way of understanding the world, too, just like race is, but while a lot of people believe in astrology, not everyone does, and there’s no penalty for not believing in it. Race is another matter entirely. It is, indeed, how we make sense of the world.
“But do you really think,” you asked during dinner, “that race is the primary way people identify individuals?” Again, that’s a paraphrase, but it’s close enough. The answer is yes, of course it is. Let me tell another story---I told too many illustrative stories at dinner, but here goes (at least) one more: years ago, as a graduate student, I taught a freshman composition class at VCU, and as part of the class requirements, I had the students turn in journals periodically. One of the students, God bless him, turned in his journal, including the doodles and random jottings he was doing on the first day of class, as he sat in the classroom, waiting for me to arrive. And right there, written down in mid-sentence, was his instantaneous reaction as I opened the door and walked into the room: “He’s black!” And the very next sentence was, “Now, why was that the first thing I thought?” I thought it was perfect. He honestly scribbled his top-of-mind reaction, and then (not, at that early moment, knowing he’d be turning it in) critiqued that reaction.
I submit to you that regardless of the race of that student---white, black, or other (and this kid was Asian, if it matters)---, my skin color is the first thing Americans notice about me. That’s what I find so baffling about the post-race crew: what’s so doggone “post” when race is still the initial factor for the person you’ve just met? (I know, I know, some people insist they’re colorblind; I simply don’t believe them, and I don’t trust them. Either they’re naïve, or they’re duplicitous---I can’t fathom any other rationale for the “colorblind” assertion.)
“But don’t you think that’s changing?,” you said to me at dinner. Er, no—I don’t. My blackness screams to others. My social class does also talk loudly, as do my clothes, my hair, my voice and how I use it, along with what I actually say. All those things communicate. But in this country, they communicate in the context of my race. Always have, always will, as long as I live. It’ll be the same for my children’s grandchildren, and likely enough for my children’s grandchildren’s grandchildren. That’s the way it is. I believe most African-Americans will co-sign that assertion. Now, the way it will be is up to question, and although I’ve just given you my prediction, that future is, indeed, up to question. The present, however, isn’t.
But see, you’re in a position to think post-racially because your skin is white, Bliss---it’s as simple and real as that. No one will assume you are of African descent because it doesn’t show on your surface. I’m sorry, but for you, it’s easy to be post-race---nobody is going to remark about your blackness when you walk into a room. More importantly, you won’t (you never have) had to deal with knowing that your blackness announces your presence. You can be post-race, but how post-race can I be? How does that work?
And you know what else? I going to make a distinction between bi-racial people who look white but have been raised by parents who made sure they were raised with a black identity, whatever “black identity” means to them. True, even in that case their blackness doesn’t announce itself, but when they walk into a room they’re walking into it looking out through black eyes, through culturally black eyes. That matters to me. Matters a lot. I know some black folks will diss them because they’re not black enough, or don’t look black, and that’s unfortunate, but nevertheless, that visually-white-looking black person will know who they are. That matters, too. Hugely.
Ultimately, I can’t blame you for your position, since you never had a black childhood, or a black adolescence either, and you can’t go back and get one or the other. You’ll struggle to deal with what it means to have African ancestry for the rest of your life, and I give you credit for doing so, and doing so in public, and in so doing contributing to this ongoing national conversation about race. But you know what? My sense is that you and the positions you have on race are the best example I’ve yet encountered of the difference between “of African descent” and “blackness.” One comes from the genes of one’s parents; the other comes as a result of lived cultural experience, both within the black community and without. That matters, too.
Put this way: I love Richmond. I’ve lived here for a total of 16 years, give or take. But I was a Southern California child, born and raised, and a California adolescent. Because of my upbringing and my cultural interests, there are a lot of things about Richmond that I can completely ignore---and a lot of things that I enjoy immensely about the city, as well. I know, intellectually, that I’m in the South, living here in Richmond, but I don’t conceive of the city in traditionally “southern” terms. It’s simply not a part of my conception of the city of Richmond, as weird as that may sound. But see, it’s easy for me to do so, because although I’m living in the South and plan to do so for the rest of my life, I’m not southern. Never have been, never will be. But here’s what’s most important: I also know that I’m missing a huge component of what it truly means to be a black man living in the South---in the capital of the Confederacy, no less---because I wasn’t raised here. All the nuances, the loaded cultural meanings, the education of where you’re not wanted,, or the brave insistence of going there anyway?---I missed all that. I can tell you all about the cultural nuances of growing up black in L.A., but not the South---it’s simply not a part of my reality, here, and yes, race in America has absolutely changed to the extent that I feel quite comfortable here, quite possibly unaccountably comfortable, and further, it’s possible that my comfort is largely as a result of my ignorance (in a lived, cultural experience sort of way) of the relatively recent racial past of this city.
But even if I set myself to learning, through books and websites and personal interviews and whatever else I could get my hands on, everything I could possibly want to know about growing up black in Richmond between 1959 and, say, 1980---I still can’t go back and experience it! I’ll still be filtering my historical acquisition of knowledge through, alas, my Southern California upbringing; I’ll never---ever---be Southern. It’s simply too late. I arrived here at the age of 25. Grown.
Similarly, regardless of your genetic connection to Africa, I’m afraid it’s too late for you to truly “get” blackness, absent a black childhood and adolescence. It’s not your fault. But the difference between me and the South and you and blackness is that I believe I understand the nature of my relationship with the South, and that understanding means I’m not about to make any New South (“post-south?) declarations, because I know how much I don’t know---and I know what I’ll never know. I’m not sure I can say the same about you, Bliss, based on your talk and our subsequent conversation. Not only that, I also know full well that I’m in no position to tell, not really, whether or how much things are changing here or not. What do I really know---I mean, really? Not much. For me, that’s the bottom line. I believe it is for you, as well, whether you realize it or not. I hope that doesn’t sound harsh, because I really did enjoy talking to you. But I have to be honest. As a black person, you’re simply not credible.
I’m a black man, Bliss. In my mind, theory-in-the-sky is always the biggest problem with post-race. I live on the ground. And you know what? We all do. You do, your daughter does, I do, my kids do. And we have choices to make, down here on the ground. Both/and is nice to position to posit, and it’s a worthy goal, although, as I said at dinner, my dream for a post-race America isn’t both/and, but respect: unqualified, unbound cultural respect for non-white Americans. Respect for difference; true cultural understanding. That’s my dream. But it’s gonna be a long time coming, because in my mind, America ain’t post-racial. We ain’t hardly there yet.
Sincerely wishing you the best,
Bert Ashe
He’d wanted to come down from D.C. for her talk, but couldn’t. Me, I’ve been thinking about that very question for over a week now, and I’ve struggled, considering how to put my feelings words. I thought about putting it in a private e-mail to you guys, but then I thought, “You know, there’s nothing I’d say to you that I wouldn’t say to her”---it’s not like there’s some big secret… Still, to prevent me from saying something I have no business saying, I’m going to put my response in the form of an open letter to Bliss herself, just to keep me honest. Bear with me, please---it’s going to take awhile, because it’s not a simple subject, but here goes:
I’m one of many people, Bliss,
who have a love-hate relationship with theory. It’s wonderful to have someone think through many of life’s issues and concerns, and present them in a way that allows me to place my own thoughts or situation in that theoretical context and allow that context to explain certain phenomena. That’s what I like about theory. My problem with theory, however, is that it’s, well, theoretical---it’s in the air, it’s floating context. And I live on the ground.
And the more I think of it, that’s the problem I had with your stance on race---more specifically, “post-race”---at dinner after the talk. Now, one thing I definitely want to do is separate my feelings about your stance with my feelings about you. I liked you, and I enjoyed dinner, and I especially appreciated the way we disagreed. In my world, reasonable people can disagree and still shake hands and walk away smiling. As I’m sure you know, some people can’t quite pull that off, and I’m delighted that we were able to do so. Another thing I’d like to say is that I feel like your post-racial position was fairly representative of how I understand post-race theory in general, so I want you to read what follows as far more of a critique on the concept of “post-race” than on you, personally. Let’s just say you were the first person I’ve had an actual conversation with who held these views, and even though I was wary of post-racial theory before, it’d never been in my face, so to speak, until our dinner.
Now, I said a lot at dinner, and I’ve been thinking over what I said, and to be totally honest, I’m not backing down from any position I staked out. But since this is an open letter, and my fellow Black Men Read?! members weren’t at the dinner---although they did read your book---I’ll try to recount here, as best I can, your position and mine when it comes to what you called “the post-race ideal.”
My first problem was when, as best I can recall, during the Q&A, when asked which race you’d designate for your daughter, you said she knows her cousins, and, as you stood before a projected photo of your blond, blue-eyed daughter and her cousin, a phenotypically black child, you suggested that her racial designation wasn’t important in the grand scheme of things. Those are my words, not yours, and if you feel as if I misquoted you, I apologize for that, but that’s how I heard it. And when we talked later, at dinner, we talked specifically about raising children, and that’s where the disagreement came from.
See, race is, indeed, as the theorists say, merely a fiction, only a cultural construct. True enough. But it’s a fiction that everyone believes in. Let’s compare it with, say, astrology. Astrology is a way of understanding the world, too, just like race is, but while a lot of people believe in astrology, not everyone does, and there’s no penalty for not believing in it. Race is another matter entirely. It is, indeed, how we make sense of the world.
“But do you really think,” you asked during dinner, “that race is the primary way people identify individuals?” Again, that’s a paraphrase, but it’s close enough. The answer is yes, of course it is. Let me tell another story---I told too many illustrative stories at dinner, but here goes (at least) one more: years ago, as a graduate student, I taught a freshman composition class at VCU, and as part of the class requirements, I had the students turn in journals periodically. One of the students, God bless him, turned in his journal, including the doodles and random jottings he was doing on the first day of class, as he sat in the classroom, waiting for me to arrive. And right there, written down in mid-sentence, was his instantaneous reaction as I opened the door and walked into the room: “He’s black!” And the very next sentence was, “Now, why was that the first thing I thought?” I thought it was perfect. He honestly scribbled his top-of-mind reaction, and then (not, at that early moment, knowing he’d be turning it in) critiqued that reaction.
I submit to you that regardless of the race of that student---white, black, or other (and this kid was Asian, if it matters)---, my skin color is the first thing Americans notice about me. That’s what I find so baffling about the post-race crew: what’s so doggone “post” when race is still the initial factor for the person you’ve just met? (I know, I know, some people insist they’re colorblind; I simply don’t believe them, and I don’t trust them. Either they’re naïve, or they’re duplicitous---I can’t fathom any other rationale for the “colorblind” assertion.)
“But don’t you think that’s changing?,” you said to me at dinner. Er, no—I don’t. My blackness screams to others. My social class does also talk loudly, as do my clothes, my hair, my voice and how I use it, along with what I actually say. All those things communicate. But in this country, they communicate in the context of my race. Always have, always will, as long as I live. It’ll be the same for my children’s grandchildren, and likely enough for my children’s grandchildren’s grandchildren. That’s the way it is. I believe most African-Americans will co-sign that assertion. Now, the way it will be is up to question, and although I’ve just given you my prediction, that future is, indeed, up to question. The present, however, isn’t.
But see, you’re in a position to think post-racially because your skin is white, Bliss---it’s as simple and real as that. No one will assume you are of African descent because it doesn’t show on your surface. I’m sorry, but for you, it’s easy to be post-race---nobody is going to remark about your blackness when you walk into a room. More importantly, you won’t (you never have) had to deal with knowing that your blackness announces your presence. You can be post-race, but how post-race can I be? How does that work?
And you know what else? I going to make a distinction between bi-racial people who look white but have been raised by parents who made sure they were raised with a black identity, whatever “black identity” means to them. True, even in that case their blackness doesn’t announce itself, but when they walk into a room they’re walking into it looking out through black eyes, through culturally black eyes. That matters to me. Matters a lot. I know some black folks will diss them because they’re not black enough, or don’t look black, and that’s unfortunate, but nevertheless, that visually-white-looking black person will know who they are. That matters, too. Hugely.
Ultimately, I can’t blame you for your position, since you never had a black childhood, or a black adolescence either, and you can’t go back and get one or the other. You’ll struggle to deal with what it means to have African ancestry for the rest of your life, and I give you credit for doing so, and doing so in public, and in so doing contributing to this ongoing national conversation about race. But you know what? My sense is that you and the positions you have on race are the best example I’ve yet encountered of the difference between “of African descent” and “blackness.” One comes from the genes of one’s parents; the other comes as a result of lived cultural experience, both within the black community and without. That matters, too.
Put this way: I love Richmond. I’ve lived here for a total of 16 years, give or take. But I was a Southern California child, born and raised, and a California adolescent. Because of my upbringing and my cultural interests, there are a lot of things about Richmond that I can completely ignore---and a lot of things that I enjoy immensely about the city, as well. I know, intellectually, that I’m in the South, living here in Richmond, but I don’t conceive of the city in traditionally “southern” terms. It’s simply not a part of my conception of the city of Richmond, as weird as that may sound. But see, it’s easy for me to do so, because although I’m living in the South and plan to do so for the rest of my life, I’m not southern. Never have been, never will be. But here’s what’s most important: I also know that I’m missing a huge component of what it truly means to be a black man living in the South---in the capital of the Confederacy, no less---because I wasn’t raised here. All the nuances, the loaded cultural meanings, the education of where you’re not wanted,, or the brave insistence of going there anyway?---I missed all that. I can tell you all about the cultural nuances of growing up black in L.A., but not the South---it’s simply not a part of my reality, here, and yes, race in America has absolutely changed to the extent that I feel quite comfortable here, quite possibly unaccountably comfortable, and further, it’s possible that my comfort is largely as a result of my ignorance (in a lived, cultural experience sort of way) of the relatively recent racial past of this city.
But even if I set myself to learning, through books and websites and personal interviews and whatever else I could get my hands on, everything I could possibly want to know about growing up black in Richmond between 1959 and, say, 1980---I still can’t go back and experience it! I’ll still be filtering my historical acquisition of knowledge through, alas, my Southern California upbringing; I’ll never---ever---be Southern. It’s simply too late. I arrived here at the age of 25. Grown.
Similarly, regardless of your genetic connection to Africa, I’m afraid it’s too late for you to truly “get” blackness, absent a black childhood and adolescence. It’s not your fault. But the difference between me and the South and you and blackness is that I believe I understand the nature of my relationship with the South, and that understanding means I’m not about to make any New South (“post-south?) declarations, because I know how much I don’t know---and I know what I’ll never know. I’m not sure I can say the same about you, Bliss, based on your talk and our subsequent conversation. Not only that, I also know full well that I’m in no position to tell, not really, whether or how much things are changing here or not. What do I really know---I mean, really? Not much. For me, that’s the bottom line. I believe it is for you, as well, whether you realize it or not. I hope that doesn’t sound harsh, because I really did enjoy talking to you. But I have to be honest. As a black person, you’re simply not credible.
I’m a black man, Bliss. In my mind, theory-in-the-sky is always the biggest problem with post-race. I live on the ground. And you know what? We all do. You do, your daughter does, I do, my kids do. And we have choices to make, down here on the ground. Both/and is nice to position to posit, and it’s a worthy goal, although, as I said at dinner, my dream for a post-race America isn’t both/and, but respect: unqualified, unbound cultural respect for non-white Americans. Respect for difference; true cultural understanding. That’s my dream. But it’s gonna be a long time coming, because in my mind, America ain’t post-racial. We ain’t hardly there yet.
Sincerely wishing you the best,
Bert Ashe
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Give The Drummer Some!
No, he's not a beat machine. ?uestLove unfortunately has to play to his listening audience. Drummers play a critical role when it comes to improvisation! Some are subtle others are right in your face. ?uestLove is not a Jazz Drummer, but he's definitely not mechanized. I would argue that some artist will typically play down their improvisational skills if they believe the audience is not willing to go on the journey with them. I saw it first hand when the Roots came to Richmond, VA during the summer of 2007. It was so clear to me at this show -> You had real fans of their music (I been down with them since 1993 when I heard them perform in Atlanta impromptu) and you had people who just came to see the Roots. For example, The Roots has a fifth Beetle Position which they allow other artist to sit in with them from time to time. Well, in Richmond, they had a tuba player named "Tuba Gooding Jr." (yep). People (non roots fans) in the audience really weren't feeling this Tuba player. I would say most tuned out (got beer/waited in lines). This was too bad because they missed the highlight of the show!
Tony Williams
Check out.. Chic Corea aided by the great Roy Haynes
They finish up with the Thelonious Monk piece.. classic!!
?uestLove and Travis Barker.. Improvising ..
NO, I'M NOT GOING TO EAT STEAK! LOL
They finish up with the Thelonious Monk piece.. classic!!
NO, I'M NOT GOING TO EAT STEAK! LOL
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Monday, November 3, 2008
Second (Last?) First Friday Lunch Bunch?
Anybody up for lunch this Friday? We'll be doing it at the Plant Zero Cafe, as usual, at 12 noon. I'm hoping and expecting that we'll have something exciting to talk about, something like, say, oh, I don't know....THE FIRST BLACK PRESIDENT!?!
Who can make it? Anyone?
By the way, since a good portion of the group won't never be able to make a weekday lunch move, is anyone interested in a regular, early-dinner move? What about this: we already meet to discuss books on the third Saturday of every other month (except during the summer), so what if we met for dinner somewhere on the ALTERNATE third Friday of the month when we're not meeting?
Now, look: brothers are busy; I know I am. Better to be real and say something like, "Yo, sounds great---I'd love to do it, but I know full well my schedule just can't handle it, and I'd never make it. Wish I could. Can't. Sorry, gonna hafta say 'Not'" rather than saying "Yeah" when you know it's just not possible.
But if it IS possible, like maybe an early, after-work deal---5 o'clock? Six? Which would put us home by 8, nine at the latest?---then say "Yeah," if that's possible for you, okay?
So. I'm throwing it out: is there any interest in setting up a regular, non-binding, come-if-you're-free, off-month dinner for the men of Black Men Read?! If so, say "Yeah," and if not, say "Not."
What say you?
Who can make it? Anyone?
By the way, since a good portion of the group won't never be able to make a weekday lunch move, is anyone interested in a regular, early-dinner move? What about this: we already meet to discuss books on the third Saturday of every other month (except during the summer), so what if we met for dinner somewhere on the ALTERNATE third Friday of the month when we're not meeting?
Now, look: brothers are busy; I know I am. Better to be real and say something like, "Yo, sounds great---I'd love to do it, but I know full well my schedule just can't handle it, and I'd never make it. Wish I could. Can't. Sorry, gonna hafta say 'Not'" rather than saying "Yeah" when you know it's just not possible.
But if it IS possible, like maybe an early, after-work deal---5 o'clock? Six? Which would put us home by 8, nine at the latest?---then say "Yeah," if that's possible for you, okay?
So. I'm throwing it out: is there any interest in setting up a regular, non-binding, come-if-you're-free, off-month dinner for the men of Black Men Read?! If so, say "Yeah," and if not, say "Not."
What say you?
Colson Whitehead This Way Comes!
After much time and effort, the Tucker-Boatwright Committee and the Distinguished Writer-in-Residence Search Committee have exciting news to report. Colson Whitehead will be the distinguished writer in residence at the University of Richmond in fall 2009. He has published four novels: The Intuitionist, John Henry Days, The Colossus of New York, and Apex Hides the Hurt. His fifth novel, Sag Harbor, is forthcoming next year. The Intuitionist won the Quality Paperback Book Club New Voices Award and was a finalist for the PEN/Hemingway Award. John Henry Days won the New York Public Library Young Lions Award and was a finalist for both the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Critics Circle Award. His reviews and essays have appeared in The New York Times, Granta, Harper’s, The Village Voice, Salon, and Newsday. The recipient of a MacArthur "Genius Award" Fellowship and the Whiting Writers Award, Whitehead is a visiting professor at Princeton this fall. He has taught creative writing at Columbia, Hunter College, Brooklyn College, and the University of Houston.
Brothers, I hope we can read and discuss one of this guy's books at one of our meetings while he's in town. We'll discuss it one way or the other, but it's a valuable experience, and at the very least, we can likely hook up and take him to Cafe Guttenberg to chat with him afterwards, since having him at an actual meeting might be a bit uncomfortable.
Brothers, I hope we can read and discuss one of this guy's books at one of our meetings while he's in town. We'll discuss it one way or the other, but it's a valuable experience, and at the very least, we can likely hook up and take him to Cafe Guttenberg to chat with him afterwards, since having him at an actual meeting might be a bit uncomfortable.
Bliss Broyard This Way Comes
Bliss Broyard, American fiction writer and memoirist
November 17, 2008 at 4 p.m.
Weinstein Hall’s Brown-Alley Room
Bliss Broyard is the author of two books: a “beautifully choreographed” collection of stories, My Father Dancing, (Booklist reviewer Donna Seaman) and a provocative memoir/family history, One Drop: My Father’s Hidden Life—A Story of Race and Family Secrets. Broyard’s short fiction has appeared in a variety of venues and was selected for both the Best American Short Stories of 1998 and The Pushcart Anthology.
The daughter of New York Times literary critic Anatole Broyard, Bliss Broyard learned when she was in her early twenties and shortly before her father died in 1990, that he had African ancestry. One Drop explores the reasons behind her father’s choice to pass for white, traces her hidden family history back to New Orleans, details her meetings with family members whom she did not know and reveals her own struggle to come to terms with what all of this means for her own identity and sense of self. Her latest book, which reads like a novel, was published to widespread acclaim last fall and will be out in paperback in September. The Richmond Quest is sponsoring Broyard’s visit.
It's being held in the same room used for Trey Ellis's reading. Now, I know it's in the middle of the afternoon on a week day, and 4 p.m. might make it tough to make for some brothers (whenever I sponsor events, I usually hold them at night, but this ain't my event). Still, I hope the advance notice will allow you to arrange for some time off and you can come check her out...
November 17, 2008 at 4 p.m.
Weinstein Hall’s Brown-Alley Room
Bliss Broyard is the author of two books: a “beautifully choreographed” collection of stories, My Father Dancing, (Booklist reviewer Donna Seaman) and a provocative memoir/family history, One Drop: My Father’s Hidden Life—A Story of Race and Family Secrets. Broyard’s short fiction has appeared in a variety of venues and was selected for both the Best American Short Stories of 1998 and The Pushcart Anthology.
The daughter of New York Times literary critic Anatole Broyard, Bliss Broyard learned when she was in her early twenties and shortly before her father died in 1990, that he had African ancestry. One Drop explores the reasons behind her father’s choice to pass for white, traces her hidden family history back to New Orleans, details her meetings with family members whom she did not know and reveals her own struggle to come to terms with what all of this means for her own identity and sense of self. Her latest book, which reads like a novel, was published to widespread acclaim last fall and will be out in paperback in September. The Richmond Quest is sponsoring Broyard’s visit.
It's being held in the same room used for Trey Ellis's reading. Now, I know it's in the middle of the afternoon on a week day, and 4 p.m. might make it tough to make for some brothers (whenever I sponsor events, I usually hold them at night, but this ain't my event). Still, I hope the advance notice will allow you to arrange for some time off and you can come check her out...
Saturday, October 25, 2008
The Green Collar Economy
If you don't know, you should read up on Brother Van Jones. He's got something to say about poverty and environmentalism. Yep, I said the same thing. How are these two concepts related? He seems to offer an interesting perspective. I caught this while reading the bestseller book section of the New York Times. The focus of this book is not about merely recycling your trash (***Not preaching but WE need to help keep the world clean also**). It's a call to action for all people, cutting across race and class. Since many of our manufacturing jobs are going over seas, it's leaving huge potholes in communities around the country. This hits home with me as I saw my entire family lose their jobs in the closing of a Burlington manufacturing plant in my home town (over 700 jobs lost). The effects of this shutdown is still being felt (increase in drug related crimes,murders,clinical depression,etc..)
Van Jones' thought is to provide training so people can get the necessary skills that helps them secure jobs associated with improving the environment (i.e. solar panel installs,weatherzing homes). It's a great idea!
Nope, I haven't read it but after our next two reads are done, amazon.com here I come. If you're interested in reading more on Mr. Jones and the cause, check out his GreenForAll blog.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Countering the Conspiracy to Destroy Black Boys
Well, I'm sure brother Ashe would be proud. Yep, I'm a fan of non-fiction books.
I recently read the first and second volume of Countering the Conspiracy to Destroy Black Boys. Jawanza Kunjufu is speaking the truth. There are some concepts I wholeheartedly agree with and others where we disagree(hip-hop). I purchased the books from a small book shop called "One Force Bookstore" a while back. Overall, the books are very engaging, but what's amazing is how this topic can even be applied to "grown black men". Why? Well, the book focuses on peer groups and how they can possibly influence decisions in a young black male's life. It made me think back to a conversation during my first book club discussion. Brothers shared some of their struggles on getting black brothers to possibly join a book club. (Shhhhh!!, you're in a book club.. for men.. and you read) Even though we laughed at some of the examples provided, it made me seriously think. Are black men more likely to participate in an athletic gathering versus one that challenges the mind/thought? if so where does this process begin.. In "Countering the Conspiracy to Destroy Black Boys", the author suggest it starts with peer groups and school. in both circles, athleticism is favored over education (honor roll, debate teams, etc..) I would say it continues to play out well into adulthood.
I could go on and on. I would suggest that everyone pick up a copy of the book (Again, somethings will apply and others you can just toss out the window). The books are very quick reads (70 to 80 pages max). Also, check out some of his speaking engagements:
Voting Drama - Already!!!
Wow, only in America can this type of stuff happen!
That's right, Black Enterprise recently ran an article about the absentee ballot mix in Rensselaer County, N.Y. Some 300 + absentee ballots were sent out with the wrong name. How does this happen? I personally cannot see this as merely being a mistake. Is it meant to cause confusion? Similiar to the mess we had right here in our backyard (Chesterfield County-ballot shortage). Why must this "drama" happen when we're trying to push for serious change? Can we all say "Checks and Balances"? Election Commissioners/Registrars need to step up their game or run the risk of being demoted/fired (too bad they are appointed).
Soo... in parting, I encourage everyone to check out the following site (this is only for my fellow Virginians) https://www.voterinfo.sbe.virginia.gov/PublicSite/Public/FT2/PublicLookup.aspx?Link=Registration
This site will allow you to double check your Voter Registration as well as preview the upcoming election ballot. Let's use the technology to our advantage.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Kehinde Wiley Presents The World Stage: Africa, Lagos ~ Dakar @ Studio Museum
If you get a chance, I would highly recommend you taking a trip up to 125th and Malcolm X boulevard. That's right, Harlem New York. Here you will find the home of Studio Museum which is currently exhibiting the art of Kehinde Wiley. I took a recent visit here this weekend and was simply blown away by this artist. His show is entitled "The World Stage: Africa, Lagos ~ Dakar"
I'm sure you'll be amazed at this artist ability to bring life to the canvas.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Vote For Change - November 4th
Well, October 6th was the last day to register to vote in the state of Virginia.
WE NEED MASSIVE CHANGES!
ENCOURAGE EVERY REGISTERED VOTER TO COME OUT ON NOV 4th TO VOTE!!!!!!
VOTEFORCHANGE.COM
Some states have already begun early voting! Get there early because I know we don’t want another 8 more years of what's currently happening on the "HILL"!
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Omar Tyree "Retires"?
Interesting reading---never been into "street lit" much, though, either way...
B.
B.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Michael Baisden Book Club
Michael Baisden has started a book club.
He wants to promote new authors.
He plans to use local book clubs as the readers and reviewers of the books.
This link is to a Mingle City thread for book clubs to post contact information.
Perhaps this is another way to make our presence know on a very large stage?
He wants to promote new authors.
He plans to use local book clubs as the readers and reviewers of the books.
This link is to a Mingle City thread for book clubs to post contact information.
Perhaps this is another way to make our presence know on a very large stage?
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Trey Ellis and Black Men Read?!
Trey Ellis read from his new book, Bedtime Stories, at the University of Richmond on Wednesday, April 16, 2008 and Black Men Read?! was there!From left, William Hobbs, Lindsay Robinson, Nate Harris, Trey Ellis, Bert Ashe, and Mark Saunders
Photos by Jordan Ashe
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
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