(17 years of informed commentary)
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
On Hiatus
If you haven't noticed the Ghost has been silent. It's OK. I'll be back in form or extra form in a few days. Don't unlink or anything like that. Just sometimes a Ghost needs to do other things, speak on other forums and not be "on" (some of ya'll know about that being 'on' stuff). So don't worry I'll be back to my old self soon meanwhile enjoy the official end of summer. Special shouts of appreciation to whomever it is from Belgium who keeps checking in. The person from Hammond LA., The person who apparently works at or goes through Delta Airlines. The Cali people. The Indiana people. And the NY/NJ people. And a shout to the students who apparently link to my stuff for classwork. I am honored.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
And Shall Always Be...
Scott held up a sheet of paper to Watson that had a picture of President Obama on it, his face made to look like the joker in Batman, a swastika on his forehead. Then he read what it said.
"They address it to n----- David Scott, 'You were, you are, and you shall forever be, a n-----'," Scott said, reading from the letter.
11Alive.com
RE: Why Men Need to Get Over Their Femiphobia
I admit it. I haven't read any of Dyson's work. I rarely catch him when he's on CNN or whatever other media he finds himself. In fact I only really know him for his shots at Bill Cosby. Anyway. His piece, apparently an excerpt from his book, that appeared in Alternet yesterday begged to be responded to.
The piece spends a lot of time discussing how black men, in essence need to straighten up in their attitudes towards black women. Something I generally don't have an issue with. though it is an interesting angle given a recent study found in the Psychology of Women Quarterly (vol.33. No.2) that found that:
So perhaps this charge of "femiphobia" by Dyson, at least as it relates to black folks may well be overblown.
In any case his discussion about African-American "femiphobia" took a turn to religion where Dyson says:
I would say that if Mr. Dyson is really interested in dealing with religious equity within the black religious sphere, that he advocate mass exoduses from the "white mans' religions(tm) (and perhaps the Arab man's religion as well). While Dyson points out the principle of mutual submission as Biblical we can point out the clear teaching that women ought not have authority over men and other ideas such as a man is head of house as Christ is the head of the church (his wife). But I don't want to belabor that point but go back to my exodus suggestion.
If Dyson is concerned about female representation in black religion he ought to advocate that black folk change to a religion such as Ifa. I know, I know, clear boosterism on my part. But really though, the whole male domination thing really doesn't apply among us (not to say that gender issues are absent). In our religion, which I'll call the "Old time religion" just to get under some people's skin, we have both male and female priests. They are referred to as Babalawos and Iya's (Iyanifas). They are both accorded the same level of respect, though there are some significant differences between the two that are based on gender. Initiates will have either God Mothers, and God Fathers who essentially shepherd their children (Omo-Orisa) through initiating and higher levels of Iwa-Pele (Good character). And since a Babalawo or Iya cannot give what he or she does not have, members are referred to different priests to receive whatever initiation is required for them. Furthermore throughout our "pantheon" are both male and female gendered Orisha (angels being the easiest translation). And each are accorded their due respect as well as their manifestations in our personality or character (long explanation). Most importantly, God, Olodumare, is not gendered in it's representation. Yes, there are many who speak of Olodumare as "he" but I, and others see no support for this in how Olodumare is to be thought of. In fact, while one will often see carvings of different Orisa (Esu, Ogun etc.) along with certain sacred groves, one will not find such carvings for Olodumare because in general Ifa is seen as an intercessionist (possibly not a word) religion in which access to Olodumare is negotiated via Orisa and therefore one must be on "good terms" with all Orisa, male and female, in order to have proper communication to Olodumare (consider this the very short discussion).
Hence, unlike Christianity, Islam and Judaism (the religions of interest to Dyson) Ifa is more structurally egalitarian. Such egalitarianism does not need to be "translated into" the religion, it doesn't need to be "re-worked" or wait for some Pope. Imam or Rabbi council to declare..oh God didn't really mean for women to be kicked to the curb.
It should strike any thinking person that the rise of the "West" as well as monotheistic and expansionist religions also coincided with the destruction of more egalitarian bi-gendered traditional religions and their replacement with highly authoritative and often angry God heads.
That black churches are purportedly 75% female ought not shock Dyson. As it is generally natural for men to not want to submit to such an overwhelmingly male power being, not to mention one that does not look like them in the least. I would also suggest that it is entirely possible that the submission of black women to a white male imagined god head is not healthy for black male-female relationships.
Lastly to deal with the issue of sexuality, it should be noted that Oya, is the Ifa representation of Femininity. She is married to Shango (so called God of thunder). She is wife, but she is also a warrior. So it could be said that in our original state, we respected women who were warriors and these women, even being warriors, still respected their men. Many (and this does not imply a majority) women have difficulty not being a warrior to their own men, hence the many references of "niggas ain't shit." "I can do for myself" etc. So let us not be surprised when black women have been yanked from their previous positions as part of that which we call the spiritual universe, made to look to a white god head as an object of "perfect love" to then have issues relating to black men, who have also been trained to see a white male as the height of perfection and godliness and black women as having nothing to do with matters of religion other than deaconesses and choir members (I'm speaking broadly here). Imagine the deep psychological significance to being in a relationship in which if and when the male messes up, his wife will point out that he's not living up to the standard of this invisible white male whom she sees as the paramount symbol of manliness.
So in essence to address Dyson's concern in the quoted paragraph, there are authentic African religions out there that address his concern of the place of black women at a deep level. It's too bad he chooses not to acknowledge them place them in front of his reader.
The piece spends a lot of time discussing how black men, in essence need to straighten up in their attitudes towards black women. Something I generally don't have an issue with. though it is an interesting angle given a recent study found in the Psychology of Women Quarterly (vol.33. No.2) that found that:
African American women and men have been found to be more supportive of feminist principles than white women and men.
So perhaps this charge of "femiphobia" by Dyson, at least as it relates to black folks may well be overblown.
In any case his discussion about African-American "femiphobia" took a turn to religion where Dyson says:
A new understanding of black male and female relationships that can truly help our communities should flow from our churches. I believe that the black church is still the greatest institution black folk have, and we’ve got to work hard to keep it that way. That means we’ve got to move beyond the spiritual apartheid we practice. Seventy-five percent of the black church is made up of women, and yet they rarely have access to the central symbol of power — the pulpit. We’ve got to stop dragging our feet and begin to acknowledge just how important black women are to our churches — and to our mosques, temples, ashrams, and sanctuaries of all sorts. We must also realize just how important black women are to our success and survival as a people.
I would say that if Mr. Dyson is really interested in dealing with religious equity within the black religious sphere, that he advocate mass exoduses from the "white mans' religions(tm) (and perhaps the Arab man's religion as well). While Dyson points out the principle of mutual submission as Biblical we can point out the clear teaching that women ought not have authority over men and other ideas such as a man is head of house as Christ is the head of the church (his wife). But I don't want to belabor that point but go back to my exodus suggestion.
If Dyson is concerned about female representation in black religion he ought to advocate that black folk change to a religion such as Ifa. I know, I know, clear boosterism on my part. But really though, the whole male domination thing really doesn't apply among us (not to say that gender issues are absent). In our religion, which I'll call the "Old time religion" just to get under some people's skin, we have both male and female priests. They are referred to as Babalawos and Iya's (Iyanifas). They are both accorded the same level of respect, though there are some significant differences between the two that are based on gender. Initiates will have either God Mothers, and God Fathers who essentially shepherd their children (Omo-Orisa) through initiating and higher levels of Iwa-Pele (Good character). And since a Babalawo or Iya cannot give what he or she does not have, members are referred to different priests to receive whatever initiation is required for them. Furthermore throughout our "pantheon" are both male and female gendered Orisha (angels being the easiest translation). And each are accorded their due respect as well as their manifestations in our personality or character (long explanation). Most importantly, God, Olodumare, is not gendered in it's representation. Yes, there are many who speak of Olodumare as "he" but I, and others see no support for this in how Olodumare is to be thought of. In fact, while one will often see carvings of different Orisa (Esu, Ogun etc.) along with certain sacred groves, one will not find such carvings for Olodumare because in general Ifa is seen as an intercessionist (possibly not a word) religion in which access to Olodumare is negotiated via Orisa and therefore one must be on "good terms" with all Orisa, male and female, in order to have proper communication to Olodumare (consider this the very short discussion).
Hence, unlike Christianity, Islam and Judaism (the religions of interest to Dyson) Ifa is more structurally egalitarian. Such egalitarianism does not need to be "translated into" the religion, it doesn't need to be "re-worked" or wait for some Pope. Imam or Rabbi council to declare..oh God didn't really mean for women to be kicked to the curb.
It should strike any thinking person that the rise of the "West" as well as monotheistic and expansionist religions also coincided with the destruction of more egalitarian bi-gendered traditional religions and their replacement with highly authoritative and often angry God heads.
That black churches are purportedly 75% female ought not shock Dyson. As it is generally natural for men to not want to submit to such an overwhelmingly male power being, not to mention one that does not look like them in the least. I would also suggest that it is entirely possible that the submission of black women to a white male imagined god head is not healthy for black male-female relationships.
Lastly to deal with the issue of sexuality, it should be noted that Oya, is the Ifa representation of Femininity. She is married to Shango (so called God of thunder). She is wife, but she is also a warrior. So it could be said that in our original state, we respected women who were warriors and these women, even being warriors, still respected their men. Many (and this does not imply a majority) women have difficulty not being a warrior to their own men, hence the many references of "niggas ain't shit." "I can do for myself" etc. So let us not be surprised when black women have been yanked from their previous positions as part of that which we call the spiritual universe, made to look to a white god head as an object of "perfect love" to then have issues relating to black men, who have also been trained to see a white male as the height of perfection and godliness and black women as having nothing to do with matters of religion other than deaconesses and choir members (I'm speaking broadly here). Imagine the deep psychological significance to being in a relationship in which if and when the male messes up, his wife will point out that he's not living up to the standard of this invisible white male whom she sees as the paramount symbol of manliness.
So in essence to address Dyson's concern in the quoted paragraph, there are authentic African religions out there that address his concern of the place of black women at a deep level. It's too bad he chooses not to acknowledge them place them in front of his reader.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Proving Welsing?
Recall that Dr. Welsing and Neely Fuller Jr. posited that the overall reasoning for the White Supremacy System is to protect whites from Genetic Anhiliation since they are the overwhelming minority of the people on the planet. When we see these protesters who are nearly universally white, bring up the spectre of "Obama-care" leading to the rationing of health care, the euthanization of the elderly and the killing of babies, one has to wonder if subconsciously they are playing out that deep seated fear, alluded to in my post yesterday of being overrun by non-white people? In other words, are these rank and file people giving voice to that which those farther up the chain have understood? Mind you, I was around for Hillary-care and the tone, while certainly loud, did not have the clear racial overtones and what I perceive to be genuine (if not unfounded) fear of this black man having power over white people's lives (via health reform).
Just as we have seen the glossing over of the fitness center shooters racial commentary by the news I think there is an ignored side to this that goes further than simply labeling these people racist. I think that we ought to revisit Welsing, Fuller and Bobby Wright and compare notes.
Just as we have seen the glossing over of the fitness center shooters racial commentary by the news I think there is an ignored side to this that goes further than simply labeling these people racist. I think that we ought to revisit Welsing, Fuller and Bobby Wright and compare notes.
Monday, August 10, 2009
More Irony
Read at Alternet:
Lets think about this claim for a minute. This particular non-black person (I'll assume to be a white male) thinks that because there is a black president, that black folk are systematically getting black privileges.
Think on that. When people like myself bring up issues of white power structures run by white people for the benefit of white people first and foremost, people say "You're being anti-white."
To even suggest that there is white privilege will lead many a white person to talk about how they worked hard and whatever. But now with a black president white folks are imagining a so called black supremacy system that works to benefit black people first and foremost. Is this not a clear example of projection? Aren't these people stating what they know at least on an unconscious level to be true; that white people give special favors and breaks to other whites simply because they are white?
[Obama] and his socilist party are ruining this country ... I know that if I was a black man right now, I would be able to get help from the government with my construction business and household bills.
Lets think about this claim for a minute. This particular non-black person (I'll assume to be a white male) thinks that because there is a black president, that black folk are systematically getting black privileges.
Think on that. When people like myself bring up issues of white power structures run by white people for the benefit of white people first and foremost, people say "You're being anti-white."
To even suggest that there is white privilege will lead many a white person to talk about how they worked hard and whatever. But now with a black president white folks are imagining a so called black supremacy system that works to benefit black people first and foremost. Is this not a clear example of projection? Aren't these people stating what they know at least on an unconscious level to be true; that white people give special favors and breaks to other whites simply because they are white?
Marriage down among educated black women
Does the following make sense to anyone?
I read the above as: Highly educated black women are least likely to marry a college-educated spouse.
Does that make sense? If true why would educated black women not be more likely to marry educated black men? Hit me on e-mail if you have insight into this.
Brueckner said the growing divide may be due to a lack of acceptable partners for highly educated black women.
"They are less likely than black men to marry outside their race, and, compared to whites and black men, they are least likely to marry a college-educated spouse," he suggested.
I read the above as: Highly educated black women are least likely to marry a college-educated spouse.
Does that make sense? If true why would educated black women not be more likely to marry educated black men? Hit me on e-mail if you have insight into this.
Sunday, August 09, 2009
The Irony
How many people remember when MoveOn.org had a web video competition in which a few videos featured Bush characterized as Hitler? Republicans went nuts and MoveOn.org removed the videos. Now We have Rush and company comparing Pelosi et al. as Nazis and some Republicans walking around with posters featuring Obama in Hitler drag. The Irony.
Not only is it the height of hypocrisy but it shows a complete lack of understanding what the National Socialist Party of Germany was about.
The last thing that is stupid, is that you'll see all these old(er) white Americans literally foaming at the mouth talking about "take your hands off my healthcare" when many of these people are covered (or soon will be) under government healthcare called Medicaid and Medicare.
See, stuff like that makes me daydream about the reinstatement of literacy tests at voting places as was done during Jim Crow. Except this time we have those white folk talkin' that nonsense prove they actually can read and understand on a high school senior level before they can vote.
That's only a daydream.
Not only is it the height of hypocrisy but it shows a complete lack of understanding what the National Socialist Party of Germany was about.
The last thing that is stupid, is that you'll see all these old(er) white Americans literally foaming at the mouth talking about "take your hands off my healthcare" when many of these people are covered (or soon will be) under government healthcare called Medicaid and Medicare.
See, stuff like that makes me daydream about the reinstatement of literacy tests at voting places as was done during Jim Crow. Except this time we have those white folk talkin' that nonsense prove they actually can read and understand on a high school senior level before they can vote.
That's only a daydream.
Thursday, August 06, 2009
Jefferson Convicted of Bribery
NY Times
Fear that Jefferson would go to Africa to stay? That's funny. Not many African-Americans do that. A lot of we talk a lot about Africa but few are looking to actually live there pending jail time or no.
Prosecutors wanted Mr. Jefferson, 62, detained immediately after the verdict on grounds that his ties to Africa made him a flight risk, but Judge T. S. Ellis III allowed him to remain free on bond, citing his local ties.
Fear that Jefferson would go to Africa to stay? That's funny. Not many African-Americans do that. A lot of we talk a lot about Africa but few are looking to actually live there pending jail time or no.
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