Today is such a BIG day for me. I mean, it's the last day of BHM which means that I no longer have to write a post a day. My carpal tunnel will be excited about it. It's the beginning of ANTM: British Invasion which means that I am sure to find out new levels of fuckery courtesy of one Tyra Banks. Today is New Month's Eve, which is exciting because it leads to new beginnings and gives me a chance to get drunk and make out with randoms. On top of it all, it's also leap day. Not sure what happens on a leap day but everyone else is in a tiz, so I just jumped on the bandwagon.
Even though there is so much going on today, I had one more BHM spotlight post to write. I've been thinking all day "Who should wrap up the month?" I mean there are a lot of Black people out there and I could really go on about any one of them. Hell I could even have shined it on the guy who looked like he was about to jump me as I walked into work today, but I decided to keep it classy this BHM. Instead, I am turning the light onto myself and my best friend Max. Yes I can win my own award. It's my blog and I make the rules around this bitch. OKKK?
I picked us for a bunch of reasons:
1.) We have really owned the reverse Oreo pose in the above photo
2.) We are forever educating cocoa inhibited individuals on the virtues of our cocoa culture
3.) I wanted to make a point that BHM isn't just for the rich and famous. You can ball on a budget and still live the dream!
4.) We created the Oreo dance move. That was truly a game changer.
Beyond those reasons, it still is cool to me that Max and I have both broken so many stereotypes and overcome obstacles. We both graduated college. Max even went on for further schooling. (always trying to show me up) At least one of us (me) swims. Our rap sheets are clean (NOLA foolishness doesn't count right?) and we are both gainfully (girl I guess) employed. I know these things sound completely unremarkable but you have to keep in mind that the statistics can be bleak for Black men in this country. We have been fortunate enough to beat the odds and that should be applauded. Go on, I'll wait.. I've got all damned night. Clap! (hands optional)
In all seriousness, Max and I aren't that odd anymore. That's why it still shocks me when people are so shocked that I am so well spoken. LIke am I supposed to sound like a character out of "Roots" or "The Color Purple"? Get out of here before I beat you like Harpo! There are plenty of people out there just like Max and me. Thanks to the people who paved the way for us waay back when (I see you Frederick Douglass!) and people who continue to pave the way today (Whattup Obama?!) we are constantly redefining what it means to be black in America. Yes the Beyonces and the Diddies of the world are showing people different facets of Black people and black culture, but it's the Maxs and Ians of the world who you know. Y'all are NOT hanging out with Bey or Puff. Lesbi-honest here. I truly feel like it's the daily interactions that we have that help change the way people think. Did I stage a 1 million man march? Hell no! You know I hate marching. But I know I have proven that Black people can swim and that Black people can be excellent at science. I am still working on proving that I can be on time, but Egypt wasn't built in a day y'all...
No comments:
Post a Comment