theobserver
Posts: 456
Joined: 8/18/2008
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Well, I guess I'm your huckleberry because it is you whom I find quite amusing. The point of me taking time to present those statistics was not to gripe about the lack of 'black' magazines but to challenge some of the previous comments suggesting that the mere existence of magazines like Ebony and Essence and networks like BET are somehow promoting separatism and reverse racism.
I posted the statistics to show the very point that your post unwittingly highlights over and over again; in our American society, there is still a purpose for these magazines.
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There are 952 magazines for what they term "Ethnic." Don't you think that perhaps that is where the Black Magazines went?
Well, since neither of us know for a fact that they are listed among the ethnic category, I think it's a bit odd to assume for a fact that they are, especially since, there are two black interest/African-American categories listed and for a few years prior they had magazines listed in those categories but not last year or the year before or the year before that. And why not list the magazines that fall into said category? And if it was a matter of merging them with another category, why not all of them, even the ones from a few years back? I mean, there's still a category for Gay and Lesbian magazines--as well it should be, considering they are an underrepresented group in Mainstream entertainment, much like POC. so I'll repeat: And why not list the magazines that fall into said category? I know you aren't going to argue that Ebony, Black Enterprise and Essence are not considered African-American and/or black?
Wait! don't answer that, because if you did, your backwards, back-handed post would be pointless.
But one last point, cause I simply cannot help myself...952 ethnic focused magazines?! Really, you don't say? Ethnic? As in all ethnic groups? All Ethnic groups combined? Wow! Out of 24,000 +?
Forgive me that oversight.
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Yes, you were so kind as to provide the link. But I have to assume that you believed no one would be able to refute your spin on the statistics.
Hmm, your logic is way off. Why would I bother to provide a link if I didn't think someone might check it out? How then would you have been able to grace us with your smug presence?
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Further the data as you present it is pretty skewed. The publications include many things that are "race neutral." There are publications for Agricultural Supplies, Accountants, Dogs, Animals, Babies and Pregnancy. I'm sure you aren't going to tell me that Blacks have different views on those subjects...
Yes, every category under the sun but the main point was not to mislead, it was to point out that a few black magazines is not a hostile takeover or a separation from the union. In such a big pond of topics, there's room for everyone. So what is the big deal about having a few privately owned magazines that speaks to issues of importance to black people? You do realize that black folks have skin issues that are different than yours, hair issues that are different than yours, some health issues effect us that do not effect you...in addition, there are social and economic issues that have effected the black population more than other people due to many factors and since this is not a debate about the history and psychological repercussions of slavery and Jim Crow, I don't think we need to go there. The point is, a few black labeled magazines is not the end of the world and yes, sorry I will reiterate that they are still very much relevant.
But the most important reason why these publications and visual media outlets are still needed, is because our issues (as in black people and others of color) are not being addressed in a truthful and productive fashion by the mainstream publishing and media outlets. So baby, gardening, health and science mags are abundant but how many of them are truly addressing the issues that directly effect black and other people of color? Things that aren't merely focused on fear-mongering or reinforcing old worn out stereotypes?
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Of those 25,000 publications, the majority of them are what would be deemed as "race neutral."
Nothing in this country is 'race neutral'. That's the most disingenuous comment I've read in a long while. We do not live in a color blind society and why should we? Our differences are what makes all of us special and unique. The focus should be on embracing these differences and learning from them. The point is that we should be able to include everyone and respect each others culture. If Vanity Fair wants to solely focus on affluent whites and white fashionistas, fine, just don't hide behind a false veil of diversity and please don't you nor anyone else tell me that magazines like Vanity Fair can claim to be inclusive but not be inclusive because of the existence of Essence. That's just plain stupid.
On a relevant sidenote:
What I find so interesting about this so-called debate is that no one with an opposing view has yet to acknowledge that black people are some of the most inclusive people on the planet. To be frank, in this country a person of ANY color can go to an HBCU. Proof being, the year before last Morehouse had a white Valedictorian. And as I pointed out in one of my previous posts, the NAACP has had non-black honorees, black film directors have cast non-black actors and actresses in their films even when people like Woody Allen and other directors have bothered with POC. Spike Lee gets crap all the time about his films but Danny Aiello himself has said that Spike gave him a job when no one in Hollywood could be bothered.
We embrace, but it was just several years ago that Mr. Woods couldn't even play on some private golf courses across America. I say to you, give me a break, keep it real or keep steppin.
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What is truly amusing is that you are trying to use this information to make a point that is ridiculous. Of those 25,000 magazines, the majority of them are dedicated to subjects that have nothing to do with race at all. Do Blacks have a special way of viewing pregnancy and babies? Is their interest in Accounting different than whites? What about Religion and Theological issues?...
When did I or anyone else say we had to have all of that? We are still just talking about Ebony, Essence and Black Enterprise or are you being hyperbolic?
I've addressed part of this above so I'll avoid being redundant and move along.
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For the record, we don't have a "Black" president. We have a bi-racial president. You don't have to like it, but don't you think it is a bit prejudiced and bigoted to deny that he is 50% white? The "one drop of blood" law was repealed many years ago, yet for some reason, you want to use it when describing the ethnicity of our country's president.
You might want to take note that only when describing the category "African-American" interests do I use that term. Why? Because I find the term ridiculous. If you lived in Germany, would you be "African-German?" In the UK, would you be "African-British?" Should I be referred to as "Italian-American?"
Actually, Italian-Americans are sometimes referred to as that and in London some people refer to blacks as black-british. But I'll get to that later.
I am very much aware of our President's ethnic background. The President has stated that he is black. Now whether you accept that or not is of no concern to me. I would rather classify the man by what he states he is, not by what I choose to call him.
Furthermore, it's funny how when the President was running for election he was black to the majority populace but now that he's in the White House, he's biracial--because you know, intelligent, well-spoken, dapper people can't possible be classified as black.
I read between the lines of your comments and I've seen this all before, it's nothing new. Same ole' tired lines, same ole' tired accusations and calls of reverse racism. Get some new material.
And if 'just' being American was what everyone was embracing in this country, we wouldn't celebrate Japanese New Year, St. Patty's Day (during Irish-American Heritage month - March),Greek American heritage month (March), Cinco De Mayo, Asian Pacific American History Month (May), Jewish-American month (May), German-American Heritage month (october), Polish American heritage month (Oct)...
Or how about all the other festivities that take place by various communities celebrating their ethnic heritage? Besides African-American or Black (if you will) there are other people that classify themselves as Italian, Polish, Jewish, ect...just because it's not listed with a hyphen by a check box or on a form you fill out doesn't mean people don't identify or label themselves within these groups. But that's different, right?
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The "one drop of blood" law was repealed many years ago, yet for some reason, you want to use it when describing the ethnicity of our country's president.
No, it's still used by people like you when it suits your purposes. By that measure, most black folks born in America should be called biracial. Because the slave daddies were workin overtime in the quarters at night. for all you know we're related, care to invite me over for dinner, cuz?
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Do I expect you to try to argue that your "view" is the correct one? Maybe, but I don't really care. I think I have provided more than enough to prove you wrong. In reality, if someone wants to find bigotry, prejudice and racism everywhere, and they look for it, they can believe they see it. It doesn't mean that it exists, it just means that you can see whatever you want if you look hard enough. Do I believe there is still racism and hatred and bigotry in the world? Of course I do. I also believe that the more every ethnic group keeps kicking and screaming that they need their own publications dedicated to how they view things, their own special anything, you perpetuate the need to be separate. Personally, I refuse to participate in that kind of nonsense because I would rather it stopped. You, obviously feel a need to shout your ethnicity from the roof tops and make sure that is the first thing people see about you. To me, that is kind of sad, because when I read your profile, it was written by a woman who is obviously smart, possibly witty and definately strong and driven, but because you felt you need to keep telling me you were black, it detracted from all those other things and made me wonder why that was the most important thing you had to say about yourself. That and really over mentioning your weight issues. Honestly, the picture you have on your profile and your avatar here shows me a beautiful woman. Yet, your profile shows and angry overweight black woman.
Now here's something you missed on your fishing expedition, when on this thread did I call Vanity Fair racist? When did I call anyone racist? Furthermore, where is the official black nationalist badge on my profile? Because last time I looked my race was stated, not screamed nor expanded on.
So, yeah, if someone's defensive, they can troll a profile on a recon mission to fill in the potholes of their lackluster argument.
Your 'compliments' were backhanded and insincere. It screamed, 'I'm not very clever so I have to reduce myself to high school antics' and was only for the purposes of the audience, to mask what you're really about.
So you dropped by my profile, thank you for the interest (I mean that sincerely). I must have really moved you because bringing up my pic and profile had nothing to do with what we were talking about here.
Let me enlighten you: Whatever I put on the other side, I wanted the public to know, therefore I neither cower nor feel ashamed. You say you didn't see the most important thing I had to say about myself, well maybe you need to look again, I have four pages of journals to help you along.
You rattled off a checklist and what the heck, I'll oblige you:
AM I an overweight woman? yes. Am I beautiful? hell yes! Am I smart and witty? I hope so. Am I angry? sometimes but who isn't? Did I state I was black? yes, twice to be exact. I also put that I was not looking for sex maybe 5 or 6 times (possibly more). What else would you like to know and why; do you want to date me?
I am not ashamed of who I am? Because all those things you picked from my profile simply means that I'm human. Disagree with my posts, fine. Dislike me, that's okay too, but what you won't do is shame me.
I won't flatter you with false compliments because I can see all I need to know about you in this post and that's literally nothing. Which is why you won't see me pervving your profile.
Have a nice day :)
Edited For: Punctuation.
< Message edited by theobserver -- 2/7/2010 1:04:09 AM >
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It is left up to the reader to decipher & determine this post's validity.
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RE: Vanity Fair: Racist? - 
Profile
I did have a crush on my 9th grade science teacher, but she probably isn't what we're discussing, I'm guessing.
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