Sign Of Our Times

“One of the sad signs of our times is that
we have demonized those who produce,
subsidized those who refuse to produce,
and canonized those who complain.“

Thomas Sowell

So my man Landrian hits me with this Sowell quote and asked me to churn it through the Darkest Berry machine to see what would come out the other side. Side note: I really appreciate this dude for regularly following this space and for providing an idea for a new post – I was a little dry on ideas. Anyway, as with many quotes by Sowell it hits you at a fundamental, common sense level… almost a “Of course! Why didn’t I say that?” level. I was unfamiliar with this particular quote so on first read I’m thinking, “Word!”, but on further reflection I saw it in a different light… especially as it relates to Black people [I'm not sure which "we" he was referring to in this quote.]

We Gotta Do Betta

A couple of days ago my cousin sent out a collection of ghetto hot mess-esque high school prom shots.  She didn’t send them to be mean or somehow set herself above these folks… she was sharing.  Like showing folks a four-leaf clover or a unicorn.  It was more like, “Am I really seeing this?  Let me run this by someone else.”  Her sister said she wasn’t sure if her reaction should be laughter, tears or just falling numb after viewing the get-ups.  I just shook my head.  Let’s face it, we’ve all convinced our parent[s] to buy something that, in hindsight, was straight foolish.  We weren’t trying to hear the “less is more” argument or any other common sense ["Mom, I want the white platforms!" Yes, that is my shame.]  We had our “style” and that was that.  

White Men Can’t…

Have you seen this Red Stripe commercial?  ESPN has been running it again lately.  The sh*t is hilarious.  It takes me back to my days in corporate when my super stiff White colleagues would roll into the office party… demure, taking it all in… after knocking back a few they were out on the floor gettin’ low, low, low.  Of course, they were moving free from any restraints, showing only the slightest relationship with the beat of the song.  They were whooping it up… dancing to the words.  But, actually, some of them could dance.  This type of thing falls into that gray area of racism – the stereotype – and it’s kind of funny how it goes down.

If this commercial was changed to, “Timex! Helping our Black friends get to work on time for 70 years!”  We would have a damn fit.  But they will let us get the Red Stripe commercial off… laughing right along with us.  Why?  I think it’s because they can laugh about being unskilled at something they don’t care about.  If the joint was, “Kelly Temps!  Helping our White friends stay employed for 70 years”… their jaws would probably get a little tight.  No uproar over “White Men Can’t Jump”… again, what do they care about being good in basketball? [even though Woody has game and probably could have posted up the tax dodger.]  If that joint was “Black Guys Can’t Play Quarterback” we would have lost our minds.

Maybe it’s easier for them to laugh along because our stereotypes for them are poking a little fun [stiff, corny] but the ones heaped on us are derogatory or hurtful [lazy, less intelligent].  They don’t mind letting us feel superior at insignificant sh*t.  They’re tossing us a little bone… cheaper than the 40 acres or that corner office.

We need some new sh*t… I got one, “White Men Can’t Be President.”  Laughing now?

Today’s Mathematics

So we’re still in a war** based completely on half-truths, manipulation and flat out lies.  We have known about the lies for years now but, hey, got to support the troops - right?  I want to support the troops… by bringing them home.  The only time we hear about Iraq now is when some politician makes a secret [though somehow broadcast on TV] visit or the casualties hit a round number… 1000, 2000, 3000, etc.  What about number 4092?  That soldier’s death is no less significant than number 1000 or 292 or 3018 or any other one.  I took a look at some of the other numbers… even the ones that were not round.  

What Will It Take?

I woke up early this morning and walked around my house… not a sound.  I got in my car and drove around… all was quiet.  I decided to drive to NY… hit all 5 boroughs and still not a peep.  The Sean Bell verdict came in five weeks ago and by all accounts [that I can see] we have returned to life as usual.  Note, my journey started in my own glass house so I’m not throwing stones at anybody.