Our Legaci

Beyonce’s Journalism Award Causes Criticism of New York Association of Black Journalists

admin — Sat, 05 May 2012 05:10:33 +0000

The New York Association of Black Journalists recently announced that it was awarding famous singer Beyonce with a journalism award for her article Eat, Play, Love which was published in Essence Magazine. This new recognition of Beyonce as an award winning journalist has caused an online frenzy amongst journalists and Essence Magazine readers. Many feel that Beyonce may be receiving the award due to her celebrity status, more than her actual journalist abilities. Upon the announcement, Essence Magazine’s Facebook page was flooded with comments. Though many readers were excited about the announcement, most readers seemed disgruntled and annoyed by the decision.

The New York Times, The Washington Post and many other online news sources have addressed the on going controversy surrounding the award. Some feel that the NYABJ may be using this as a pr stunt. How do you feel? Is the NYABJ just trying to get popular or does Beyonce truly deserve the award?

Jessica Ann Mitchell

Jessica Ann Mitchell has a M.S. in Public Relations and a M.A. in Pan-African Studies. Mitchell specializes in multicultural outreach and communications. She also writes on her personal blog at OurLegaci.com. To reach JAM email her at mitchelljessicaann@gmail.com.

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Black Women Start Online Boycott Against Colorism In The Black Community

admin — Tue, 01 May 2012 01:10:48 +0000

On April 14th, 2012 a new Youtube account called 4BlackWomenOnly posted a video featuring negative comments that Black celebrities have stated about Black women. The list included Kevin Hart who stated that dark skinned women were “broke ass dark hoes.”

Other Statements Included:

Nicki Minaj – “Them nappy headed hoes, but my kitchen good”
Isaiah Mustafa – “Yes, it does have to be real. I want my kids to have nice hair so she better have good hair.”
Chris Brown – “Sandra Rose when you were little all the kids hated playing hide and seek with you…unless you opened your eyes and showed your teeth.” “Sandra Rose you so Black you gotta wear white gloves to eat chocolate.”

The list of offenders also includes: Taye Diggs, Wesley Snipes, Eminem, Lil Wayne, Young Berg, and Toure.

The video publishers ask that Black women, ” Take a stand against ANYONE who speaks against our character…
Who devalues us due to our complexion, hair texture, facial features and body…Who deems us all unworthy of respect relative to non-Black women.”

In just two weeks the video has received almost 7,000 views and is quickly spreading across the internet. In response, the publishers, have created a Facebook Page where they continue the dialogue of sharing positivity among Black women.

Love,

Jessica Ann Mitchell

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Being The Only Black Person At Your Job

admin — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 18:05:14 +0000

Being the only Black person at your job can be a daunting and highly interesting experience. For those of us in the corporate world, we’ve all dealt with the awkward silences, the “hair” conversation, the name pronunciation lesson and much more. For those of us that have experienced being the only Black person at work, we often have to hide our inner feelings and thoughts in order to survive. Thankfully a new web series called the Unwritten Rules, focuses on this very situation. The web series is based on a young Black woman named Racey who has just started her new job as a manager. Her first day is full of common instances that Black people deal with in the work place. After its first episode, this show has already become an online favorite.

Do we really need “Niggas In Paris”?

admin — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 14:01:47 +0000

Do we really need “Niggas In Paris”?

I recently engaged in a Facebook chat with at friend who shared an article with me about a politician’s decision to use the song, “Niggas in Paris” as a part of his campaign. Now, CNN is asking if the usage of “Niggas in Paris” by the politician has a racial connotation or “racist” undertone. Every time someone mentions the name of the song, there’s always an uncomfortable pause or feeling that enters the atmosphere. Even on the radio, djs have a hard time saying it. I’ve heard one dj simply say “N-bombs in Paris” with uncomfortable laughter followed behind it.

This is precisely why I was unenthusiastic about the song in the first place. Why was it necessary for Kayne and Jay-z to name the song “Niggas in Paris”? My friend believes that they named the song “Niggas in Paris” because they think they’ve transcended. As in, they think they’ve transcended race. This made me stop and think.

When people put out material like this, whether they want it to or not, it affects all Black people. Unfortunately, some people don’t understand this fact or choose to ignore it all together. Kanye especially seems to think that with his fame and stardom he has somehow transcended race. Perhaps they believe, using this term in the manner they’ve used it, is somehow provocative, exciting, or cool. However for millions of other people, hearing the name of the song and its lyrics is degrading, and down right embarrassing experience. Was it really necessary?

Yasiin Bey aka Mos Def who is known as a conscious rapper, flipped the entire song and changed it to Niggas in Poorest. He then stated repetitively, “Don’t get caught up in no throne.” Yasiin Bey then includes a commentary on how we need to protect our children and stop worrying about gaining riches. He states, “We seeking for forgiveness and safety for our children.” This remix further shows that the song, “Niggas in Paris” and its materialistic nature, rapped up in some false sense of “Nigga” empowerment, has definitely struck a chord among some in the Black community.

A few years ago Nas wanted to name his album “Nigger”. Of course his record company said absolutely no. It ended up being called “untitled”. However, when Nas tried this, even with the discomfort it brought, his album expressly stated the educational purpose behind wanting to name it, “Nigger”. Through interviews and his lyrics, he used the album to spark discussion about racial divisions and the oppression of Black people around the world. Even still, the controversy surrounding the name of the album often times overshadowed the educational aspects of the lyrics.

Nevertheless, Kanye West and Jay-z seem to use “Niggas in Paris” as a fashion statement, describing their exuberant kingly lifestyles. The main components of the lyrics include money, bitches, more bitches and of course Niggas. With Jay-z even referring to Beyonce as a bitch. Saying, “I got that hot bitch in my home.”

Niggas: “Got my niggas in Paris. And they going gorillas, huh!” Says Kanye.

Gee guys, thanks! But was it really necessary?

Love,

Jessica Ann Mitchell

Why Murdering Black People is Acceptable in America: A Critical Analysis

admin — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 22:26:49 +0000

Why Murdering Black People is Acceptable in America

Every week we are bombarded with another heartfelt story of someone Black located somewhere in America that has been murdered under the most unbelievable circumstances. They are murdered by the police, murdered by “frightened” non-Black strangers or murdered by other Black people. Unfortunately, these deaths are as American as apple pie. There is a longstanding tradition in the U.S of murdering Black people and the government allowing these murders to be acceptable. Why is this so?

Blackness or Africanity (being an African descendant) has been demonized, vilified and criminalized over the past five centuries. There is an ever present notion that if you are Black, you are some how criminal. Not “a criminal” but “criminal”. This means there is a racial prejudice that permeates our lives, with the belief that the very existence of a Black person is “wrong” and must be fixed.

Even Martin Luther King Jr. acknowledged this when he stated, “Somebody told a lie one day. They couched it in language. They made everything Black ugly. Look in your dictionary and see the synonyms of the word Black. It’s always something degrading and low and sinister. Look at the word white. It’s always something pure, high and holy.”

Indeed this lie was couched in language and hundreds of years have gone by with Black people enduring the superiority complexes of other ethnic groups in America. Even among ourselves, we are tiered. Believing that the lighter we are, the more beautiful we are. Believing that the less kinky our hair is, the more “good” it is. We don’t realize that this language only further promotes that ethos that Blackness is inherently “wrong” or less “valuable”.

America has a history of utilizing Black culture for commercial purposes while at the same time demonizing Black people when they are not providing some form of labor or entertainment. If Black people are not singing, playing sports, dancing or being “the help” they are considered a danger. In 1915, a film called “Birth of Nation” featured a white male in Black face kidnapping a white woman. This imagery was put in place to further instill a fear of “the blacks”. The film was sending a signal that the recently freed Black people should be feared and killed. In fact, the KKK used this film to recruit new members. The strange fruit hanging from Southern trees bore witness to this fear mongering.

Black people were being murdered for just being Black. Black people were being murdered while walking down the street. Black people were being murdered after attending church. And the excuses for the murders were always associated with a “criminal” description that was never proven. Lynch mobs would say, ” He stole something. That’s why we killed him. She hit someone. That’s why we killed her. He raped someone. That’s why we killed him.” But there was no investigation, trial or conviction of the murderers. This is because, murdering a Black person was not perceived as something bad. It was almost perceived as a civic duty on the part of good upstanding Americans, to put the negroes in their place.

In 2012, this is very much the same mentality and fear that is currently being promoted under the guise of politics and lawmaking. In 2012, this fear mongering is being upgraded and once again Black people are being murdered for walking down the street. Black people are being murdered while giving street directions. Recently, two white males allegedly went on a Black people killing spree in Tulsa, Oklahoma. So far, 3 people have been murdered and two have been injured.

Not only are Black people being murdered, they are also being arrested more often and given harsher sentencing than other ethnic groups; even when a judge or jury is presented with the same exact evidence. This is because the Eurocentric society of America has criminalized the state of being Black. Whenever something goes wrong, people can claim a Black person did it and they will be believed. If Trayvon Martin had killed George Zimmerman, he would have been arrested immediately for murder and the police would have launched a full investigation.

There is an endless list of Black people that were unarmed, murdered and whose murderers have gone free. Because somehow, the Black people were “threatening”. In the case of Trayvon Martin, watch and you will see. George Zimmerman’s defense team is cooking up a way to make Trayvon the aggressor. They are going assert that this unarmed Black boy is a “criminal”. Because that’s why murdering Black people in America acceptable.

But we have to go to task as Black people in America. When we are fighting for our human rights we have to do so fervently among ourselves as well. When we have cases in which we are murdered unjustly, we should definitely raise our voices. However, let us be just as mad, if not even angrier, when Black people murder each other. Let us be just as vocal and enraged about Black on Black crime and unsolved murders in Black communities.

Currently some of the most popular songs among Black youth contain lyrics in which we brag about killing each other, selling drugs to each other, degrading each other and oppressing each other. Let us make our lives and our humanity be the utmost priority at all times. In this manner, we can make it truly UNACCEPTABLE for members of our communities to be murdered and killed.

R.I.P. Rekia Boyd, Trayvon Martin and countless others.

Love,

Jessica Ann Mitchell

The Difference Between Africans and African Americans

admin — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 00:18:16 +0000

The difference between Africans and African Americans…

Africans and African Americans/Black Americans have deep connections. During slavery, many African cultural attributes among enslaved Africans in the Americas were retained but some were also lost (in-part) such as (language and religion). Africans, on the other had endured colonialism (slavery by another name) which presented a new dimension of issues. Due to slavery and colonialism, these connections between Africans and African American or Black Americans have been strained. Much of the tension is based on conflicting and stereotypical media portrayals that have been cross promoted among the two groups.

For the most part, many members of both groups would consider themselves Black (based on color) but at times descents of enslaved Africans in the Americas, do not view themselves as African. However, there are many African Americans that embrace their African heritage and make trips to Africa to learn more about their ancestors. There are instances when Africans do not view African Americans or Black Americans as Africans due to differences in cultural backgrounds. This is not always the case. Often times Africans bond with African Americans. In many instances Africans both groups are essentially linked and do have cultural, economical and ethnic similarities that will forever bond them. In fact, many Africans and African Americans work together towards fighting racism and the oppression that plagues Black/ African descents around the world.

Light Skinned Versus Dark Skinned

admin — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 14:38:39 +0000

This issue of colorism has plagued Black communities around the world, in the Caribbean, Latin America, Africa, and North America. The debate still rages on as many believe that Black communities divide themselves based on skin tones with lighter skin tones (closer to European shades) possibly considered more beautiful. Consequently, in many circles light skinned women are often considered more beautiful. Hip hop culture specifically, is flooded with adoration of beautiful light skinned Black women. Commonly referring to them as Red Bones, Yellow Bones and etc. This has sparked controversy around the notion of self-hatred which is often linked to slavery, colonialism and the overall mis-education of the negro across the Americas.

However, there are many circles in which beautiful dark skinned women have been adored and praised as well. They are commonly referred to as Chocolate, African Queens and etc. The proverb, “the darker the berry the sweeter the juice” is often used in association with dark skinned women/people.

For Black men, darker skin tones are associated with manhood and imagery of hyper-masculinity. Such as thugs, gangsters, pimps and etc. Light skinned Black men are often associated with professionalism and at some times femininity. This is because skin tones have not only been racilized, they’ve also been gendered. Which is why darker skinned women and men face similar yet different experiences.

However, there are many members of the Black community that do not divide themselves based on skin tones. There is also an on going movement to put an end to the colorism in the Black community.

If You Want To Be A Writer, Write!

admin — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 01:14:32 +0000

In order to succeed, your desire for success should be greater than your fear of failure.
Bill Cosby

We all have that fear. What if we don’t succeed? What if we are just wasting our time trying to be a writer, poet, blogger, entrepreneur, etc. Its the fear of failure that drives us away from pursuing our dreams. Meanwhile, time is ticking and opportunities are passing. For those of us who are dreamers, we can’t let this happen. If we really want something, we have to go after it. If you want to be a writer, write. But write like its the only thing for you in the world. Put your entire spirit and soul into it and never give up. We all become afraid sometimes but left fear stifle you or hold you back. So let the fear be your motivation and push through it. You never know what you might accomplish if you never really try. The last thing you want to do is waste 30 years of your life doing something that is not your passion and wondering “what if?”. And if you have already spent years doing something that is not fulfilling you, know that it is not too late. As long as you are still breathing, there is an opportunity for you to follow your passion. Just do it!

Love,

Jessica Ann Mitchell

The Lit Bit Celebrates Women’s History Month

admin — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 12:06:19 +0000

Welcome to Women’s History Month! So often we African Americans complain that the preceding month of February, Black History Month, is the shortest month of the year. That may be, but I love this time of year since it gives me an annual excuse to celebrate Black women in history for both February and March. Yes, I know Black History and women should be celebrated 365, but historical markers created to celebrate special people are just the American way.

The 2012 National Women’s History Month Theme is ‘Women’s Education – Women’s Empowerment.’ This year, I am lifting up the African-American women on whom I focused in my children’s book, Nappy. Each week, I will share a list of 5 books you can read to educate your selves about these empowering women in our history. I will also share a 1-minute video – a Nappy Narrative – with a few quick and interesting facts about my “Nappy Ladies.”

This week we kick things off with the fiery orator Sojourner Truth who fought against slavery and in favor of women’s rights. A little known historical fact about Sojourner is that she made history by winning two court cases against prominent Whites. One of those cases ended the practice of segregated streetcars in Washington, DC almost a full century before the famous Rosa Parks bus ride!

I’ll leave you this week with five inspiring books about Sojourner Truth.

Narrative of Sojourner Truth (Penguin Classics)
Black Abolitionism: A Quest For Human Dignity. (Bishop Henry Mcneal Turner/Sojourner Truth Series in Black Religion) By Beverly Eileen Mitchell
A Picture Book of Sojourner Truth (Picture Book Biography) by David Adler; illustrated by Gershom Griffith
Sojourner Truth’s Step-Stomp Stride by Andrea Pinkney; illustrated by Brian Pinkney
Great Speeches by African Americans: Frederick Douglass by James Daley (includes Ain’t I a Woman?)

Keep those pages turning,

Charisse

@CharisseCarney

Charisse Carney-Nunes is the award-winning author of several children’s books, a social entrepreneur, a literary advocate, and the Executive Producer of The Book Look a webseries airing on the African American Literary Book Club site and elsewhere.

The Problem With Black Republicans

admin — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:10:58 +0000

It has become a norm in the Black community to vote democrat, even if we don’t know exactly who the candidate is. This is a major issue because members of the Democratic Party don’t always implement policies that benefit the Black community. Voting for democrats blindly is very harmful to the democratic process. Nevertheless, the allegiance to the democrats continues. I have never professed to be a member of either party, however I recognize that I definitely have a preference for Democrats over Republicans as well.

Indeed this is a complex issue because the Black community is complex and not monolithic. However, upon a scan of Black community members, many would appear to side with Republicans on certain “conservative” issues. Still there is a major disconnect between the Republican Party and African American voters. As I watched Allen West’s interesting Black Republican panel on C-SPAN, an issue was raised by one of the attendees. How do they get more Black voters to understand and join the Republican party? This same concern was raised recently on BlackRepublicans.blogspot.com a blog ran by Frances Rice, a co-founder of the National Black Republican Association. Rice asks, “But how do we win 25% of the black vote?”

Well, the problem lies in a horrible public relations track record on the part of the Republican Party when dealing with Black voters over the last few decades.

1. In the name of conservatism, many proposed policies promote individualistic approaches to education and economic growth. Consequently, unions, affirmative action and government assistance can be perceived as unnecessary handouts and are constantly under the strain of possible cuts by Republican politicians. This causes historically disadvantaged communities to continue existing as last on the totem pole with stifled opportunities for upward mobility. However, as many Black republicans point out, self-determination and perseverance play important roles as well. And I think for the most part, many would agree with the self-determination aspect of this argument. However, in a modern world, built and based on historic inequalities and disenfranchisement, sometimes self-determination is not enough to secure equal pay, equal rights and equal access to the pursuit of happiness. Until the Republican Party takes steps towards recognizing this, it is going to have a hard time amongst Black communities.

2. The Republican Party may have been the party of Frederick Douglas, but in 2012 the party is certainly hell bent on reasserting the good ole days. Barack Obama stated in his recent State of the Union speech, ” I won’t go back! I won’t go back!” I was immediately reminded of the reoccurring statement amongst Republicans and Tea party members, ” Let’s take our country back!” or “returning to the days of the patriots”. These statements always threw me off. Where are we taking America “back” to? These moments of patriotic nostalgia conjure up frightening images for many African Americans. For many of us “going back” carries negative imagery tied to racially intrinsic historic pains. Are going back to the days when Black was synonymous with “the help”? Newt Gingrich’s recent comment about having children serve as janitors only makes matter worse. Are going back to the days when we knew “our place”? Are we going back to the days when American was synonymous with White Anglo Saxon, Protestant, Heterosexual? Indeed, this rhetoric is off putting along with the disturbing imagery, which often accompanies it.

Juan Williams tried to get Newt Gingrich to answer for his racial/hate mongering statements and Williams was bombarded by heinous heckles during the South Carolina debate. Though Williams’, questions were valid and necessary, his Republican counterparts refused to acknowledge it.

Also, let us not forget presidential candidate Rick Santorum’s Black people or “Blah” people statement. “I don’t want to make black people’s lives better by giving them somebody else’s money. I want to give them the opportunity to go out and earn money, ” said Santorum. He later changed his tune and insisted that he said the word “Blah” instead of “Black”. This is a sad cause of nonsensical denial mixed with a blatant disregard for any ounce of respect towards African Americans. And yet, where was the outcry from well-known Black republicans?

Furthermore, the Obama is a “Black Monkey”, “Muslim, Communist”, “Welfare President” rhetoric & imagery has gone on long enough. Ever since Obama was elected president, there have been town-hall meetings with derogatory pictures of Obama positioned with a turban on his head and a bone through his nose, saying “go back to Africa”.

Even though much of this rhetoric may not come from Black Republicans, their association with the Republican Party makes matters worse when trying to connect with members of the Black community. Especially when they are trying to convince members of the Black community to join them.

If Black Republicans want more members of the Black community to learn about the benefits of their party, they are going to have to do a better job of openly and admittedly holding their party accountable for racially divisive and hatefully charged rhetoric. If they could somehow, get their party to see how off-putting this rhetoric is to potential members, huge strides could be made. However, at the moment, their counterparts appear to be having a good ole’ time basking in the warmth of racially charged rhetoric and hate mongering in order to secure votes among the waning population of America that still awaits the return of Mammy. And it is for this reason that many members of the Black community can not relate to the Republican Party. Thus, Black Republicans take notice. However, good your intentions maybe, the antics of your counterparts and your refusal combat them have ruined your opportunity to connect with the majority of the Black community.

Love,

Jessica Ann Mitchell

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