Monday, April 30, 2012
Lets Talk About: Your Brain on White People
I found this article to be quite interesting. Hope this sparks some thought and maybe even conversation. http://www.salon.com/2012/04/29/your_brain_on_white_people/?source=newsletter
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Lets Really Talk about: Minorities in the Media
One of my friends, Shareef Elkady, is a homosexual that struggles with the image the media portrays of gay mailes. He feels that because of the stereotypes that are perpetuated through media, people expect all homosexuals to be one of the two extremes, when in reality most are somewhere in between. I find this is true for most stereotypes, and its sad that people who only see these to polar extremes through media use them to judge the rest of the world.
Did I mention Shareef's family are Egyptian, and most middle eastern families practice Islam? If any of you know anything about the religion of Islam, you probably know they have no tolerance for homosexuality. I had to redo this video but the first time i filmed it Shareef Explained that homosexuality in Islamic culture is punishable by death, and that was something drilled in his head as a child. Traveling back and forth from America to Egypt where is father and his father's side of the family, Shareef felt like he had to live a double life in order to hide his true self from his family.
But even through all of that Shareef still hold Islam very close to his heart, because it represents his family. So he also find the media's image of people of Middle Eastern Decent to be quite disturbing. "they do more than drie taxi's and own Dry cleaners. They own restaurants...my father owned a restaurant actually" Shareef hopes that one day the world would not depend on the tainted pictures the media paints to judge people they don't know or understand.
I really wish you all could see the first video I did and I wish i had more than a five minute time limit for the video. Shareef offered up some very interesting insight on the matters at hand and I really enjoyed hearing his opinion. If you ever get a chance to talk with Shareef especially about any minority group and the media he will talk for days about it. It's a subject that he is very passionate about. If you would like you can be friends with Shareef on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/shareef.elkady
Let's Really Talk about: Minorities in the media
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/UMbK54wq1mg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
http://youtu.be/UMbK54wq1mg
One of my friends, Shareef Elkady, is a homosexual that struggles with the image the media portrays of gay mailes. He feels that because of the stereotypes that are perpetuated through media, people expect all homosexuals to be one of the two extremes, when in reality most are somewhere in between. I find this is true for most stereotypes, and its sad that people who only see these to polar extremes through media use them to judge the rest of the world.
Did I mention Shareef's family are Egyptian, and most middle eastern families practice Islam? If any of you know anything about the religion of Islam, you probably know they have no tolerance for homosexuality. I had to redo this video but the first time i filmed it Shareef Explained that homosexuality in Islamic culture is punishable by death, and that was something drilled in his head as a child. Traveling back and forth from America to Egypt where is father and his father's side of the family, Shareef felt like he had to live a double life in order to hide his true self from his family.
But even through all of that Shareef still hold Islam very close to his heart, because it represents his family. So he also find the media's image of people of Middle Eastern Decent to be quite disturbing. "they do more than drie taxi's and own Dry cleaners. They own restaurants...my father owned a restaurant actually" Shareef hopes that one day the world would not depend on the tainted pictures the media paints to judge people they don't know or understand.
I really wish you all could see the first video I did and I wish i had more than a five minute time limit for the video. Shareef offered up some very interesting insight on the matters at hand and I really enjoyed hearing his opinion. If you ever get a chance to talk with Shareef especially about any minority group and the media he will talk for days about it. It's a subject that he is very passionate about. If you would like you can be friends with Shareef on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/shareef.elkady
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Lets talk about: Sneakerheads- collectors??
Every time Nike releases a new overpriced pair of Jordan's sneakers Malls and outlets across America prepare themselves for the worst. And every time we all hear reports the next day of a shooting, a fight, or some type public disturbance. This along with the association with urban culture sneakerheads tend to have a bad rep. Sneakerheads have a stigma of being low class people shallow people who have their priorities in the wrong place. When Nike rereleased their vintage Concords Air Jordans, there were a lot of trending topics on twitter like #butoyugotthemconcordsthough. My timeline was full of tweets like "your light bill isn't paid #butyougotthenewconcordsthough," and "yourhaven'tpaidyourchildsupportbutyougotthemconcordsthough."
People even compare paraphernalia such as these pricey sneakers and flashy clothes to modern day American slavery, with certain materialistic things such as cars, clothing, sneakers geared towards people of urban culture being the chains and the corporations who profit off of these sales as the slaveholders.
Though I find this metaphor somewhat accurate, I deem it necessary to play devil's advocate. So I pose the question what's the difference between a person who enjoys collecting sneakers and one who enjoys collecting stamps,or porcelain dolls, beer caps, glass eggs? What makes one a low class shameful obsession and the other a series of art? Don't get me wrong. In no way do I believe that every person who stands in line for hours ready to spend $200 just to sit their fresh pair of sneakers on display. However, I do know there are people who actually appreciate the beauty of a shoe standing in those lines. So whenever you hear the release of the next Nike shoe remember that not everyone fits the stigma associated with the sneakerheads.
People even compare paraphernalia such as these pricey sneakers and flashy clothes to modern day American slavery, with certain materialistic things such as cars, clothing, sneakers geared towards people of urban culture being the chains and the corporations who profit off of these sales as the slaveholders.
Though I find this metaphor somewhat accurate, I deem it necessary to play devil's advocate. So I pose the question what's the difference between a person who enjoys collecting sneakers and one who enjoys collecting stamps,or porcelain dolls, beer caps, glass eggs? What makes one a low class shameful obsession and the other a series of art? Don't get me wrong. In no way do I believe that every person who stands in line for hours ready to spend $200 just to sit their fresh pair of sneakers on display. However, I do know there are people who actually appreciate the beauty of a shoe standing in those lines. So whenever you hear the release of the next Nike shoe remember that not everyone fits the stigma associated with the sneakerheads.Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Lets Really Talk about: black hair
As we all know, black hair tends to be a taboo topic, especially for people of other races. Whether they had question or not, most people would rather accept what they see and keep their questions to themselves. However, recently films like Good Hair, have brought these conversations to the surface.
I'm under the impression that the purpose of the film was to give a better understanding to the world of black hair and to answer burning questions most people had been to scared to ask. BUT it seems to me that instead of answering these questions, the film raised more questions. We all been told "There's no such thing as a stupid question" well I'm here to inform you that, that maybe true but there are such things as ignorant questions, and when inquiring on a sensitive topic you must consider those five W's and that one H that you learned in grade school.
What you ask- Will this question actually benefit me or am I just making conversation or trying to look cool?
Who you ask- Do this person know me well enough to understand I mean no harm in my question?
where you ask- Did I pick the appropriate place to pose this question? Is there an audience or others who may take offence to this question? Could this question embarrass myself or others?
when you ask-Did I pick the appropriate time to ask this question?
why you ask- Am I really curious or am I trying to mock or make fun of others?
most importantly HOW you ask- How can I word this to truly articulate my thoughts but not sound like a complete jackass. Okay let me elaborate- remember that this is a touchy and even awkward topic, so use your vocabulary wisely. and consider your tone and body language.
To be a little more clear, here's a list of questions you DON'T ask
1. "Is that your real hair?" or "Is this a weave?" or anything along those lines! this may sound like a simple question to you but speaking for most black women this is a very personal question. Its like someone asking you what kind of panties you're wearing! At the end of the day its really none of your business!!!!
2. This is a not necessarily a question however, do not start a statement nor question with the phrase "Not to sound racist" because no matter what you say after that you WILL sound racist. Even if it isn't a racist comment or concern it will be taken as one. This phrase puts people on the defense before you even get your thoughts out. Try something like "my intentions are not to offend you"
3. Can I touch it? Not everyone has a problem with that I myself don't if it is coming from someone that I know. But not a lot of black women agree. Some black woman won't let anyone but a beautician and a doctor touch their hair. Personally I would say only ask a FRIEND or someone who has made it clear that they are open to conversations about hair. definitely never a stranger. However, before you ask anyone black person (male or female) know that you are liable to get cussed out if you ask the wrong person.
Here are just a few rules of thumb to consider when divulging in a conversation about black hair and possibly any other topics you find when you lift the social rug.
I'm under the impression that the purpose of the film was to give a better understanding to the world of black hair and to answer burning questions most people had been to scared to ask. BUT it seems to me that instead of answering these questions, the film raised more questions. We all been told "There's no such thing as a stupid question" well I'm here to inform you that, that maybe true but there are such things as ignorant questions, and when inquiring on a sensitive topic you must consider those five W's and that one H that you learned in grade school.
What you ask- Will this question actually benefit me or am I just making conversation or trying to look cool?
Who you ask- Do this person know me well enough to understand I mean no harm in my question?
where you ask- Did I pick the appropriate place to pose this question? Is there an audience or others who may take offence to this question? Could this question embarrass myself or others?
when you ask-Did I pick the appropriate time to ask this question?
why you ask- Am I really curious or am I trying to mock or make fun of others?
most importantly HOW you ask- How can I word this to truly articulate my thoughts but not sound like a complete jackass. Okay let me elaborate- remember that this is a touchy and even awkward topic, so use your vocabulary wisely. and consider your tone and body language.
To be a little more clear, here's a list of questions you DON'T ask
1. "Is that your real hair?" or "Is this a weave?" or anything along those lines! this may sound like a simple question to you but speaking for most black women this is a very personal question. Its like someone asking you what kind of panties you're wearing! At the end of the day its really none of your business!!!!
2. This is a not necessarily a question however, do not start a statement nor question with the phrase "Not to sound racist" because no matter what you say after that you WILL sound racist. Even if it isn't a racist comment or concern it will be taken as one. This phrase puts people on the defense before you even get your thoughts out. Try something like "my intentions are not to offend you"
3. Can I touch it? Not everyone has a problem with that I myself don't if it is coming from someone that I know. But not a lot of black women agree. Some black woman won't let anyone but a beautician and a doctor touch their hair. Personally I would say only ask a FRIEND or someone who has made it clear that they are open to conversations about hair. definitely never a stranger. However, before you ask anyone black person (male or female) know that you are liable to get cussed out if you ask the wrong person.
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