Thursday, March 8, 2018
Wednesday, February 28, 2018
Representation Matters
Stories are important. Stories propel humanity further. Heroes and villains, right and wrong, reality and absurdity. As a species we communicate lessons through the method of storytelling. In the modern world those who tell stories, and create media have the power of changing perception.
In 2018 we have the luxury of smart phones which can create media and stories instantly. Smart phones are so incredible and so intertwined with society that it’s hard to remember life before them. There are incredible, outrageous, amazing things happening around us every day. We are so inundated with incredible things we take most of them for granted. I don’t stop and think how amazing my phone is every day. Under the same vein I never realized how important representation is to self-esteem.
The fact that black people are not always positively portrayed within media is a well-known fact. If you are any minority you can understand the effects of negative representation. Constantly seeing people who look like you being portrayed as stereotypes or jokes can be damaging. After constant reminders with t.v. shows and movies where people with your skin color are bad the message becomes clear.
Being biracial and growing up in the 90s I never saw anyone who looked like me. I didn’t even have negative representation, I had no representation. There were little to no characters who resembled me.
Things are much different now and people of all color around the world have access to tools to create media. We can all tell our stories and more importantly it’s necessary for us to do so as a species. While consuming media it is also necessary to acknowledge the effect of said media.
Be diligent in selecting what media you wish to consume, the stories you carry with you, are a part of you…they are you. The stories you have committed to memory shape you.
Thursday, February 15, 2018
Popular Culture is Black Culture
Right now the most untrendy thing to be is white and rich. Unlike every other singular time period in history there are actual drawbacks to being a wealthy white person during this current juncture in time.
The world is stirking back against those in power and possessing privelege. Donald Trump and his image of white privelege accompanied by corporate nepotism and large-scale handouts has infuriated less fortunate and priveleged Americans.
Rich white kids are now dressing down in rags and wearing street fashion emulating black celebrities because being black is what's popular.
Diversity is in, and it's hip to be poor because being poor is more relatable to the majority of America than vast riches at this point. Social media is dominated by diverse individuals who inseminate the world with snippets and slices of black culture.
On Reddit there is a subReddit called Black People Twitter which is heavily frequented by white people.
The internet is driving new trends and steering culture in a new direction. Hip-Hop is now blending with Pop music, slang is commonplace even in corporate or professional settings.
Young impressionable minds in this country look up to the The Rock, Cardi B, and Migos. Black people have received far more favorable representation than whites within the last five years.
I don't see a reversal to this trend within 2018 and beyond as more people of color infiltrate positions of power and drive media and culture.
The world is stirking back against those in power and possessing privelege. Donald Trump and his image of white privelege accompanied by corporate nepotism and large-scale handouts has infuriated less fortunate and priveleged Americans.
Rich white kids are now dressing down in rags and wearing street fashion emulating black celebrities because being black is what's popular.
Diversity is in, and it's hip to be poor because being poor is more relatable to the majority of America than vast riches at this point. Social media is dominated by diverse individuals who inseminate the world with snippets and slices of black culture.
On Reddit there is a subReddit called Black People Twitter which is heavily frequented by white people.
The internet is driving new trends and steering culture in a new direction. Hip-Hop is now blending with Pop music, slang is commonplace even in corporate or professional settings.
Young impressionable minds in this country look up to the The Rock, Cardi B, and Migos. Black people have received far more favorable representation than whites within the last five years.
I don't see a reversal to this trend within 2018 and beyond as more people of color infiltrate positions of power and drive media and culture.
Wednesday, January 31, 2018
No offense, but are you BLACK?!
Today I'm going to discuss a concept that I have run across frequently. This notion is alive and well and has been present in society for at least the last 5-10 years. Below is a picture of me from today. I got a new phone and wanted to check the camera
I am bombarded with questions on what my ethnicity is. I don't mind the questions because I acknowledge that I am racially ambiguous. Even earlier today at work, one of my supervisors after learning I can speak Spanish approached. She said "Henry what's your nationality?"
 |
| Hmm what's your nationality? |
I replied I'm a red-blooded American, but my ethnicity is Half Irish and Half Black. She told me she thought I could have been Italian. I learned a lesson on not to judge others as well because my supervisor is mixed and also speaks Spanish and upon learning she knew Spanish I immediately assumed she was Puerto Rican or Dominican.
This encounter was completely respectful and through our conversation, we gained a newfound mutual respect and understanding for one another.
What I cannot tolerate any longer is people guessing my race and saying "No offense but are you black?" The mindset behind the statement says that it is offensive to be black. I don't want to offend you by this ghastly association sir but are you possibly African American?
Fuck Yes I am. I'll say it loud and say it proud! I am Black, 50 percent to be exact. Being Black is nothing to be ashamed of. I've never had anyone say to me in 26 years "No offense are you Irish?"
The perception of being Black is that it sucks and is something abnormal. The US has made being Black something strange and weird, when that couldn't be further from the truth.
I know this was somewhat of a ran but in the future if you are curious about a person's ethnicity be respectful, and if you suspect they might be Black as long as they don't have self-hatred and you are not a racist there's nothing to take offense to.
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Don't ask Don't tell.
It's a tricky thing to be black or mixed in today's world. As I've stated before biracial Americans are often racially ambiguous, and considered "exotic" by many.
Rashida Jones is one actor who walks the line of ambiguity frequently. Jones is the younger daughter of Quincy Jones and Peggy Lipton. Throughout her career Rashida Jones has played a variety of roles on shows such as Freaks and Geeks, Boston Public, and Chappelle's Show. As Jones' career and notoriety advanced so did the caliber of her roles.
Jones went from a character actor to leading actor and has starred in films and tv shows such as I Love You, Man and Parks and Recreation. I am a huge fan of Jones and I would never doubt her pride in her heritage as she has always defended being bi racial but there's one thing that puzzles me about the roles Jones portrays.
Seldom do they define her race, in any role Rashida Jones plays. In I Love You, Man Jones marries Paul Rudd and there is little to no discussion of race. Jones has played white in some movies even with white parents and at other times it is assumed that character she portrays share her mixed background.
Meghan Markle is another young actor finding success with her biracial charms. Markle's mother is African American and her father is of Dutch and Irish descent.
Markle is best known for her role as Rachel Zane in the popular drama Suits. Zane is the love interest of the shows protagonist Mike Ross played by Patrick J. Adams. There are a couple things I found interesting about Markle's character Zane.
Markle being chosen as the love interest while being biracial shows a shift in thinking radically different from a decade or two ago. In the most recent episode of season 3, Rachel Zane confronts her father and the other characters learn she is the daughter of the powerful African American lawyer, Robert Zane.
This moment is important for the story because robert Zane becomes a recurring character, but by admitting Zane is her father she is also admitting she is black. Although it had been hinted to in the series it had never been outright stated by Markle's character Rachel.
Although Actors such as Jones, and Markle are often criticized for not publicizing their African American roots we need them. We need them to keep playing lead roles and portraying women in roles where they are not defined by their race. Their persistence and success in the industry will blaze a path for others in generations to come.
Jones went from a character actor to leading actor and has starred in films and tv shows such as I Love You, Man and Parks and Recreation. I am a huge fan of Jones and I would never doubt her pride in her heritage as she has always defended being bi racial but there's one thing that puzzles me about the roles Jones portrays.
Seldom do they define her race, in any role Rashida Jones plays. In I Love You, Man Jones marries Paul Rudd and there is little to no discussion of race. Jones has played white in some movies even with white parents and at other times it is assumed that character she portrays share her mixed background.
Markle is best known for her role as Rachel Zane in the popular drama Suits. Zane is the love interest of the shows protagonist Mike Ross played by Patrick J. Adams. There are a couple things I found interesting about Markle's character Zane.
Markle being chosen as the love interest while being biracial shows a shift in thinking radically different from a decade or two ago. In the most recent episode of season 3, Rachel Zane confronts her father and the other characters learn she is the daughter of the powerful African American lawyer, Robert Zane.
This moment is important for the story because robert Zane becomes a recurring character, but by admitting Zane is her father she is also admitting she is black. Although it had been hinted to in the series it had never been outright stated by Markle's character Rachel.
Although Actors such as Jones, and Markle are often criticized for not publicizing their African American roots we need them. We need them to keep playing lead roles and portraying women in roles where they are not defined by their race. Their persistence and success in the industry will blaze a path for others in generations to come.
Monday, January 28, 2013
Biracial Athletes in sports
In April 1947, Jackie Robinson made his Major League Baseball debut on the Brooklyn Dodgers he went on to win the MLB's Most valuable Player award two years later, becoming the first African American player to do so.
And while Robinson inspired millions and taught the world that competition knows no color. Robinson's skills were remarkable but unfortunately he is not the topic of discussion for tonight. I'd like to focus on multiracial athletes and all their splendor.
While most Americans should have no trouble pointing out diversity in sports sometimes we can't decipher just exactly what race athletes are.
Whether you realize it or not mixed and biracial athletes have proliferated all of sports and have attained unparalleled success.
This beautiful competitor is Lolo Jones. Jones is French, Native American, African American and Norwegian. She was the favorite to win in the 2008 Beijing olympics in the 100m hurdle. Jones' dream were shattered when she tripped on a hurdle. Since then she has gone on to become the American record holder in the 60m hurdles with a time of 7.72
This next athlete has taken the Los Angeles area by storm since his professional debut, he has taken one of southern california's most laughable franchises into a playoff contender. If you couldn't already tell I'm talking about Blake Griffin.
The 6'10, 251 pound power forward was born to an African American Father and White mother. Griffin was tragically injured before his rookie season and did not play a game. He rehabbed his injury and in his Rookie(technically should have been his sophomore) year was already an NBA All Star. Griffin became the first rookie in the All Star game since Yao Ming in 2003 and the first one voted in by coaches since Tim Duncan in 1998.
Whatever Griffin is doing is working. The Clippers 33-13 a franchise record and has his sights set on an NBA title.
Finally that brings us to the famed San Francisco 49ers quarterback...
Kaepernick was adopted at a young age and is the youngest child of his parents Rick and Teresa. Kaepernick, unbelievably has less than 10 starts in the NFL and despite this, is the favorite to win the Super Bowl as a sophomore player.
Kaepernick in one game ran for more yards than anyone in the postseason and even set a franchise record for most rushing yards beating all of San Francisco's previous running backs.
Kaepernick is also on track to set the record to be the most bet on player ever in the Superbowl generating over $100,000 in wagers. Critics have not been able to point out flaws in his game besides the tattoos on his arm heading into the superbowl.
There are countless multiracial athletes who are all not just great but superstars and franchise players including Tiger Woods, Derek Jeter, Hines Ward, Jimp Thorpe and Stephen Curry.
Whatever it is that drives these athletes is extraordinary, their abilities and legacies will be remembered forever, this blogger says good luck to you all and keep accomplishing for biracial people everywhere.
And while Robinson inspired millions and taught the world that competition knows no color. Robinson's skills were remarkable but unfortunately he is not the topic of discussion for tonight. I'd like to focus on multiracial athletes and all their splendor.
While most Americans should have no trouble pointing out diversity in sports sometimes we can't decipher just exactly what race athletes are.
Whether you realize it or not mixed and biracial athletes have proliferated all of sports and have attained unparalleled success.
The 6'10, 251 pound power forward was born to an African American Father and White mother. Griffin was tragically injured before his rookie season and did not play a game. He rehabbed his injury and in his Rookie(technically should have been his sophomore) year was already an NBA All Star. Griffin became the first rookie in the All Star game since Yao Ming in 2003 and the first one voted in by coaches since Tim Duncan in 1998.
Whatever Griffin is doing is working. The Clippers 33-13 a franchise record and has his sights set on an NBA title.
Finally that brings us to the famed San Francisco 49ers quarterback...
Kaepernick in one game ran for more yards than anyone in the postseason and even set a franchise record for most rushing yards beating all of San Francisco's previous running backs.
Kaepernick is also on track to set the record to be the most bet on player ever in the Superbowl generating over $100,000 in wagers. Critics have not been able to point out flaws in his game besides the tattoos on his arm heading into the superbowl.
There are countless multiracial athletes who are all not just great but superstars and franchise players including Tiger Woods, Derek Jeter, Hines Ward, Jimp Thorpe and Stephen Curry.
Whatever it is that drives these athletes is extraordinary, their abilities and legacies will be remembered forever, this blogger says good luck to you all and keep accomplishing for biracial people everywhere.
Monday, January 21, 2013
Passing
Passing. According to wikipedia, "Racial passing refers to a person classified as a member of one racial group attempting to be accepted as a member of a different racial group."
Passing was once an unfortunate but necessary reality for many minorities living in the United States. Especially in the south due to legislation such as the Jim Crow Laws and the "One-drop rule" which stated anyone with a drop of negro blood was considered Black.
To be able to fully explore our country or to just walk around with harassment you had to pass. In modern times passing has evolved as most things do with time.
These days passing isn't about avoiding bodily harm its more about hiding your heritage for social or financial advancement.
In 2011 MTV's True Life aired an episode entitled "True Life: I'm Passing as someone I'm not" The episode follows Domaine and Danielle two young women coming to grips with who they are.
Danielle is a black girl who constantly hides her ethnicity by passing as Costa Rican. Danielle never having known her father doesn't acknowledge her African American heritage and is uncomfortable admitting she is black.
As I've previously stated I am Half Black and Half White. I have been to a family reunion on my father's side where my brother and I were the darkest people present.
I can also recall a time in middle school when a black student a year or two older then me came up to me and said "You got some nigga in you, don't ya?"
In both instances I proudly proclaimed I was Black. I have been mistaken for practically every race under the sun yet, I have never hidden my race or attempted to pass.
Passing demonstrates a feeling of shame or an acknowledgement of inferiority. I am neither of those when it comes to discussing my ancestry.
Although discrimination is alive it takes courage and strength to defeat, we need self assured individuals to have pride in their descendants and pave a righteous path of tolerance for the uncertain and downtrodden.
Passing was once an unfortunate but necessary reality for many minorities living in the United States. Especially in the south due to legislation such as the Jim Crow Laws and the "One-drop rule" which stated anyone with a drop of negro blood was considered Black.
To be able to fully explore our country or to just walk around with harassment you had to pass. In modern times passing has evolved as most things do with time.
These days passing isn't about avoiding bodily harm its more about hiding your heritage for social or financial advancement.
In 2011 MTV's True Life aired an episode entitled "True Life: I'm Passing as someone I'm not" The episode follows Domaine and Danielle two young women coming to grips with who they are.
Danielle is a black girl who constantly hides her ethnicity by passing as Costa Rican. Danielle never having known her father doesn't acknowledge her African American heritage and is uncomfortable admitting she is black.
I can also recall a time in middle school when a black student a year or two older then me came up to me and said "You got some nigga in you, don't ya?"
In both instances I proudly proclaimed I was Black. I have been mistaken for practically every race under the sun yet, I have never hidden my race or attempted to pass.
Passing demonstrates a feeling of shame or an acknowledgement of inferiority. I am neither of those when it comes to discussing my ancestry.
Although discrimination is alive it takes courage and strength to defeat, we need self assured individuals to have pride in their descendants and pave a righteous path of tolerance for the uncertain and downtrodden.
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