July 16, 2020
(Thursday)
7:30 Eastern — 6:30 Central
Tag Archives: African-American Women
$4,000,000 Wenches: Why Kelly Loeffler’s Attempt to Silence WNBA Players Has Been Largely Ignored by Americans
One of the best writers parked at the bustling intersection of Race and sports is William Rhoden. To be honest with you, Rhoden has built an impressive career offering insightful commentary at this increasingly busy thoroughfare his entire career. Although it seems to be decades ago when Rhoden delivered the classic book Forty Million Dollar Slaves: The Rise, Fall, and Redemption of the Black Athlete to a nation that has been embattled by racial problems since the initial Africans arrived in the Jamestown colony.
The shocking title of Rhoden’s book, Forty Million Dollar Slaves, was a recalling of a public insult that a white fan shouted in the public arena at a black player in Madison Square Garden during a New York Knicks game. The insinuation that black athletes are nothing more than commodities whose lone use is to entertain whites was neither new nor subtle.
Unfortunately for black women, one of the primary consequences of Black Liberation being conceptualized and frequently articulated as gender specific is that the population that Malcolm X cited as “the most disrespected person on the planet,” has been an after-thought in robust discussions of Black liberation. Make no mistake about it, Black liberation has historically been very BLACK and very MALE. Most “race men” behave as if it were a given that if black men were saved, black women would also be saved; there is little in the recent historical record that supports such assertions. Make no mistake about it, black women have been the mules of every liberation struggle as they have had to simultaneously fight on multiple identity politic battlefields that involved some combination of race, class, gender, and sexuality.
Put simply; it is difficult being a black woman in America. They are expected to aid others in their liberation fights while remaining silent when their opportunistic allies simultaneously enjoy the fruits of the labor of black women while passively viewing their never-ending struggles.
This understanding that black women alone are solely responsible for improving their plight sits at the center of others silence when Kelly Loeffler, a Senator (R) from Georgia and co-owner of the WNBA franchise the Atlanta Dream, delivered a relatively rudimentary attack. According to Loeffler, WNBA players, the black one’s in particular, need to mute themselves regarding this nation’s pressing racial matters. According to Loeffler,
The truth is, we need less — not more politics in sports. In a time when polarizing politics is as divisive as ever, sports has the power to be a unifying antidote. And now more than ever, we should be united in our goal to remove politics from sports.
It is no stretch to say analogize that if the black NBA players that William Rhoden wrote about are “40 million dollar slaves” then Loeffler considers WNBA players “4 million dollar wenches” that need to be taught to shut-up and dribble.
Were it not so sad, Kelly Loeffler’s political tone-deafness would be somewhat hilarious. At this unprecedented moment of social activism and racial progressivism, she wants American Flags stitched on the warm-up suits of WNBA players instead of Black Lives Matter or “Say Her Name”, a reverberating tribute to Prairie View A & M University’s Sandra Bland.
Unfortunately for Loeffler, today’s athletes are too savvy to remain voiceless on substantive political issues. Current activism flowing from the sports world harkens back to the 1960s when athletes such as Jim Brown, Muhammad Ali, and Bill Russell took on pressing racial matters. If the co-owner of the Atlanta Dream were not blinded by a desperate attempt to earn political currency via her resistance to progressive movements, she would realize that a veritable dream team of WNBA stars such as Sue Bird, Natasha Cloud, Skylar Diggins-Smith, and Alysha Clark oppose her.
It is ironic that Loeffler, a political figure steeped in a special election to replace Johnny Isakson in the U.S. Senate has chosen to use her prominent position in the WNBA to rally potential supporters by opposing racial progressivism and politics in the sports world. Her hypocrisy is startling, yet predictable. Only time will tell if this well-timed gamble to trade in her partial ownership of the Atlanta Dream for a U.S. Senate seat will payoff for Loeffler.
The world watches while WNBA players are seeking to remove Loeffler from their environs. The fact that players are now wielding so much power leads one to muse “My how things have changed.” However, if Loeffler is able to stave off calls for her to sell her stake in the Atlanta Dream and win her bid to become a U.S. Senator, one will be forced to question if things have changed at all?
Dr. James Thomas Jones III
© Manhood, Race, and Culture, 2020.
Prince Harry’s Master Class to Black Men
If such things were not routine on social media sites, the audacious statement from some Black women that it took Prince Harry to show Black men “how to protect a Black woman” would have been alarming. Unfortunately for the sake of such critics, I, and the vast majority of Black men, have become desensitized to such commentary from a small group of Black women who appear to be afflicted with a host of psychological maladies.
This matter reverts my mind to social critic Ishmael Reed’s assertion that “a people can be no stronger than their stories.” Reed’s observation holds much truth regarding how people’s dominant narrative reveals much about how they view their past, present, and future. Hence, the assertion that Prince Harry is conducting a “master class” to Black men titled “how to protect a Black woman” speaks volumes about the past, present, and future perspective of a portion of Black women regarding the uselessness of Black males.
Now, the salacious allegation that I am a glutton for punishment may be verified by the fact that I find the comment sections of issues such as this one particularly riveting. The anonymity of message boards presents an unadulterated glimpse into the psyche of disgruntled Black women. So, while this issue was trending, I followed the lead of famed NFL Wide Receiver Terrell Owens and grabbed my popcorn and read through hundreds of comments regarding Prince Harry’s “Master Class” on “how to protect a Black woman” as proven by his treatment of Meghan Markle, the former Duchess of Sussex.
As I expected, some Black women celebrated Prince Harry’s actions while issuing scathing critiques of Black men. I was surprised that these comments were counter-balanced by a cross-section of Black America that not only challenged the prevailing narrative, but also seized it for their own purposes. A task that I have advised my community to do in this space on numerous occasions.
If I did not know any better, I would have been convinced that those lauding Prince Harry’s treatment of his wife did not live in the Black America that reared me and droves of others like me.
Although it would be deceitful to state that I do not know Black men who absconded their familial responsibilities, such realities do not blind me to the fact that I hail from a family of Black men whose foremost priority is taking care of their home. Within my Black America, I witnessed Black men work themselves into the grave as they attempted to provide for their offspring despite the presence of demonic entities known as prejudice, discrimination, racial bigotry, and institutionalized racism. The men that I speak of are analogous to fallen service members who gave all for those that they loved.
If provided the opportunity, I would tell the relatively small cadre of Black women fawning over Prince Harry’s actions to treat him as they have treated Black men who routinely accomplish the same task. They should purse their lips, give him their signature side-eye look and inform him that “you don’t get credit for doing what you are supposed to do.”
Seize and change the narrative y’all.
Dr. James Thomas Jones III
© Manhood, Race, and Culture, 2020.
WHY 50 CENT’S ATTACK ON OPRAH SAYS SO MUCH ABOUT HOW LITTLE BLACK MEN AND WOMEN SUPPORT PROGRESSIVE BLACK WOMEN
Before an attentive global audience, famed comedian Chris Rock simultaneously shocked Whites and angered Blacks by airing a portion of Black America’s “dirty laundry” before “mixed company.” According to Rock,
There is a Civil War going on within Black America between Black folk and niggas. And niggas have got to go!!!!!!!
Unbeknownst to Whites, Blacks regularly discuss this risqué topic in the privacy of their homes, barbershops, during Black-only happy hour gatherings and church meetings.
An attentive listener would realize that Rock’s riveting commentary touched on only one of the many “Civil Wars” occurring within Black America. Politically astute Blacks can attest to the fact that at any given moment there are many “Civil Wars” occurring within a non-monolithic Black community. This understanding of the never-ending in-fighting within Black America makes the recent attack of Oprah Winfrey by rapper 50 Cent understandable.
In case you missed it, 50 Cent took the famed talk show host to task for inconsistencies in her #MeToo activism.
From the hip-hop icon’s perspective, Oprah has chosen to attack Black men such as Michael Jackson and Russell Simmons while remaining quiet as a mouse regarding White men deserving of her attention.
According to 50 Cent,
I don’t understand why Oprah is going after black men. No Harvey Weinstein, No Epstein, just Michael Jackson and Russell Simmons this … is sad.
If nothing else, this matter provides insight into how many Black men view the duties of “their sisters” as they seek to navigate this White Man’s world.
The alluded to men harbor a dogged belief that at their best, Black women serve as “helpmeets” whose sole purpose is to aid them along this path called life. These women sacrifice themselves for the good of the Race without any expectation of reciprocity. Although such demands may appear selfish, the truth of the matter is that the alluded to self-centeredness is informed by a historical record rife with Black mothers, grandmothers, girlfriends, aunts, daughters, and acquaintances effortlessly sacrificing lives and muting hopes and dreams for the men that they adore.
Make no mistake about it, when Whites attack Black men, there is a natural expectation that Black women will rush to the front of the line to defend Black men. Ironically, the above expectations are not lessened when Black women are the victims of some Black male’s brazen attack. For far too long, Black men have taken it as a given that Race trumps gender in the minds of Black women. Far too often, Black women have served as a willing sacrificial lamb to be slaughtered at opportune moments for the benefit of all others.
Although frightening, it is nevertheless true that many Black men mirror 50 Cent’s thoughts in believing that Black women are little more than a tool to be used to advance personal political agendas. Behind closed doors, it is not considered boorish for Black men to demand that Black women settle into a depressing intellectual slum that promotes Black male interests while muting the concerns and interests of Black women.
One needs to look no further than 50 Cent’s commentary to understand that many Blacks consider Oprah Winfrey a traitor to the Race. Such thinking beckons Black America to a time where racial solidarity was essential to survival. Unfortunately for those harboring such thoughts, many Black women have vacated “their place” and take definitive steps toward advancing an agenda centered on “Black women issues”; interests that may not benefit Black men directly.
There may be no clearer sign that many Black men are participating in a Civil War against Black women such as Oprah Winfrey who seek to take Black men to task for their actions against their “sisters”. Unfortunately, it does not appear that there are many Black men interested in aiding Black women as they seek to ascend out of a marginalized position that has historically been so marginal that Malcolm X termed them “the most disrespected person on the planet.” Even the most optimistic among us must concede that far too many Black men appear to have at best a loose alliance and fleeting interest in the plight of Black women.
And in the words of 50 Cent, “that is … sad.”
Dr. James Thomas Jones III
© Manhood, Race, and Culture, 2019.
How The Failure to Understand a Common Writing Technique Has Led So Many Blacks to Put Their Ignorance on Full-Display
I guess it is merely a “Sign of the Times”. The fact that our contemporaries are incapable of differentiating between entertainment “inspired by real-life events” and in-depth scholarship. Such failings speak volumes about not only the education system but also the misplaced faith that so many place in non-scholarly sources of information.
Of course, the primary impetus for the above thoughts is the over the top reaction of so many Blacks to the Hollywood film, Harriet.
As they are known to do, the so-called “woke” community has called for all to boycott Harriet for lack of historical accuracy among other things. In many ways, a perfect storm of race, representation, and voice caused this brouhaha. The presence of Kate Larson, a White female who served as the historical consultant on Harriet, did not help matters at all as her presence exacerbated critics’ propensity to form outlandish conspiracy theories.
Let me be forthright regarding this issue of Whites telling the story of Black ancestors like Harriet Tubman. In many ways, I am uncomfortable with the proposition of such a remarkable story being placed in the hands of the White imagination, an imagination that rarely has presented a suitable recitation of Black life.
Yet, this posting has less to do with Kate Larson and everything to do with the production of edutainment by Hollywood Studios. To simplify my thoughts regarding this matter, I must state that my definition of edutainment is the means of describing media creations aimed at introducing a historical topic while providing entertainment to viewers. More times than not, those who consume these popular culture depictions of events “inspired by real-life events” have little knowledge about what they are viewing. In actuality, these types of films are phenomenal ways of introducing a historical event to the general public.
One thing that is obvious about the droves who have chosen to criticize Harriet is that they have no understanding of the writing process. There is not a serious writer alive who will deny that every story has gaps within it. Writers circles’ are filled with those who lament that the story does not “flow” in an entertaining manner; in fact, this problem is so pervasive that there are support groups for writers who are afflicted by “writer’s block.” Such moments can be the height of frustration for writers wed to that sultry siren or witch called historical accuracy. Alas, the demonic entity does not possess every writer in the same manner. Those constructors of “historical fiction” have well-established means of dealing with that thing called historical facts. They use an Excalibur called “literary license” to free their pen in ways that are unimaginable to others. This literary device is as common in Hollywood as actors or a script.
One needs to look no further than Spike Lee’s iconic Malcolm X blockbuster film for verification of the use of “creative license.” Fortunately for Lee, his movie, rife with moments of “historical fiction,” was wildly celebrated by adoring Black audiences for a host of reasons.
I am confident that if one interviewed the writers of Spike Lee’s Malcolm X regarding how they conquered the Herculean task of abbreviating Malcolm’s heroic life to fit on the “big screen,” the words “literary license” would figure prominently in that discussion. Although I am not psychic, I guarantee you that a significant portion of that discussion would revolve around “Brother Baines.”
Let’s be clear on this matter, “Brother Baines” is birthed through “creative license” and used to push the riveting story along. “Brother Baines” is the bridge between Malcolm’s incarceration to his arrival and exit from the Nation of Islam. Any decent writer of “historical fiction” will tell you that such characters are a convenient tool used to move a story along without introducing a slew of characters that will slow momentum by confusing viewers.
These attacks on Harriet reveal a disappointing reality that many can not distinguish between a scholarly book/documentary from an edutainment Hollywood biopic.
In the end, it appears that the critics of Harriet are doing what comes natural to them; that being, providing criticism that is neither constructive nor address the major issue of presenting stories capable of capturing the minds of young African-Americans. Such critics are ironically serving as a roadblock to the process of sparking the imagination of Black youth to a large audience. Who knows if this exposure will serve as the impetus to them exploring the Black experience in an uncommon manner. Sadly, this unwise course of action, caused by a conventional literary device that they do not understand, threatens to seal a reasonable path to develop a bourgeoning interest in African-American studies among American youth.
What a blind and stupid people we can be at inopportune times.
Dr. James Thomas Jones III