Tell Me What You Think

 

posted by Orlando

The University of Alabama, Is My Color Really Welcome??

Hellooo, my name is Orlando and I have a very important question that I would like you to take time out and think about. First off, look around the campus! You can tell automatically that without a doubt that there are more Whites then Blacks. Every black person that attends The University of Alabama should know about how this school was originally for Whites but although that was long ago and blacks are allowed to attend, are we welcome to attend the same way as Whites? Now a days the whole Blacks vs. Whites thing has greatly decreased and dyed down, but that doesn't mean that the issue is completely over. There are still some racist white people; the same as there are still some Blacks that hate Whites for the way they treated their ancestors. This campus has been around for quite some time but although Blacks and Whites can go to school together, do some people still feel that they treat the White students better than the Black ones? This controversial topic probably has been repeated numerous of times, but judging from different opinions this topic brings, it probably will never cease on campus because it is a topic that seems to have no ending to it. With that being said, all Blacks pause, and think for a second. Is the color of my skin really welcome at The University of Alabama?

Rainbow vs. Hollister

Hey!!!! My Name is Alexis and I wanted to address the idea that white people and black people dress different. What makes an an outfit appropriate for black people or white people. According to society it seems that black people are more into labels, whereas white people just dress in either what they look good in or what they are comfortable in. When black people decide to shop at stores like American Eagle or Hollister, they are percieved to be dressing white. Are the black guys suppose to wear Jordans, sag and show their underwear and the girls suppose to shop at stores like rainbow? So My Question is how are black people "supposed" to dress????

Yo' Hair is Fried, Died, and Laid to the Side

What is “good hair”? In the African American community, we women take much pride in what our hair looks like. It’s not uncommon to spend 4 hours at the beauty salon perfecting a style or dodging the rain to keep our hair from being ruined. Dyeing, relaxing, curling, and straightening have been a part of all our hair regimens.  There is much debate centered on the idea of what the best hair type is. Naturally, most Black women are born with a kinky hair texture, sometimes considered as “nappy”.  Many African American women choose to chemically alter their natural hair texture to achieve a straight and smooth look, which is said to be more desirable. We will go to the extremes to make sure our hair is laid, even causing permanent damage. Does this desire stem from a need of social acceptance and an issue of self-hate? Why is relaxed hair the norm in our society? Why should we as women conform to mainstream society’s idea of beauty? These are questions that I believe every Black woman should ask herself.  I think that many women are brainwashed into believing that there is only one standard of beauty. We are bombarded with images of long, straight, Indian remy hair and are told that THIS IS WHAT GOOD HAIR IS.  Why are we afraid to accept that our nappy, curly, kinky, coily hair is also beautiful? When did we become convinced that what we were born with is what we shouldn’t have? I heard someone say “natural hair ain’t for everybody”, which had to be one of the most ignorant comment I have ever heard. How can something that was genetically predetermined not be meant for you? I believe that it is one’s own prerogative to choose whether to chemically process their hair or not, but it shouldn’t be because they feel like they have to in order to be beautiful. What do you think?


                                                                                                                                    --Courtney

Are We All Loud and Ghetto With Bad Attitudes?

In this video, they are discussing whether or not Black women (and all Blacks in general) have "attitudes". The guy stated that Black women act the way they do because they have issues and insecurities about their nappy hair, skin, and Black men's interest in a more exotic looking woman. Ummm, no.  I think the Black woman's "bad attitude" is more of an unfair generalization, just as saying all Blacks, are loud and ghetto. I agree with the idea that it may be a cultural thing, a way that we show expression. All of the finger snappin', neck rollin', lip smackin' we do is just another way to help get our point across, and it shouldn't always be looked down on as a bad thing. Watch the video and tell me what you think.

--Courtney

The Reputation of Black Culture in the Media

Hi it's Kayla! After seeing a preview for Tyler Perry's newest movie "Madea Big Happy Family" I wanted to discuss the reputation of Black culture in the media. I don't know about the rest of the Black culture but there isn't a "Madea" or any of her kind in my family. In my opinion I feel that Tyler Perry does a poor job of representing the black culture well. I believe and hope his intentions are good, but I find it hard to believe that "Madeas" existed in most African Americans families. I love how all of Tyler Perry movies with exception to For Color Girls end in a fairy tale ending. REALITY is that's not how life is! His movies delivers a good message in most of them, but the representation and depictions of the African American culture are all screwed up! I'm not bashing Tyler Perry there are a list of others, such as musicians and reality stars that does the same exact thing. I hope that people are smart enough to know that it's just television and not to buy into the stereotypes. 

Black Cultural & Homosexuality

Hello it's Kayla! I thought it would be interesting to talk about Black Cultural and homosexuality. In general homosexuality for a while now is taboo to even discuss in some homes in America. After gathering some of my friends thoughts and opinions on the subject I've came to the conclusion that some people feel that African American gays are more comfortable than non African American gays, while others feel that African American gays have to hide their identity from the world because they already have a "strike" against them for being black, and being black and gay will only make things worst for them. One thing that I found interesting from one of my friends opinions is that many black fathers cannot accept that their son is homosexual but in many situations find it easy to accept that their daughter is. WHY IS THAT? My personal opinion on this matter would be that homosexuality in the black culture is subjective. I have homosexual relatives and friends, I can't tell you guys that I know exactly what goes on inside their homes but from the information that I've gained from them some of them and their families are comfortable with them being gay, while others have yet to tell their family their sexual identities because they're scared that won't be accepted. I feel that fathers in general have a certain perception (society's norm) of what their son should and will be and if he's anything different fathers find it difficult to accept that. I believe that every cultural and family have their own ways of dealing with homosexuality, whether they don't accepted or embrace it depends on the person.
Below is a video that I also found interesting!
--Feel free to comment your thoughts & opinions.