Monday, June 22, 2009

Black media as Mindguards


...........................Genius leaves the building...........................



Now some of you are worried about the demise of black magazines and periodicals, paricularly as a few well known ones have announced that they are on the brink. We have indeed lost a few in recent months, I know that a black newspaper round my neck of the woods recently went into adminstration as they say.

However unlike many of you I actually celebrate the passing of a number of black publications. I wish that a few more would crumble.

'Why?' you ask. Well because for over a decade now, many of these publications have set themselves up as 'mind guards', preventing and disallowing necessary and even critical understanding of what ails us particularly us as black women. These newspapers and magazines would rather push a lie that B is the problem when it is plain to see that A is the critical issue that needs to be addressed. I have talked about how they keep us locked in old conversations here or of my particular experience with a black editor, who guaging the 'liberating' effect of what I was reasoning for black women, decided to ensure their 'fetters' remained firmly in place by ignoring the discussion for something less threatening to the status quo.

Yes it remains important for these folks that black women continue operating in the belief that they have to scramble for black men. You see, many if not most of these magazines are diametrically opposed to our real freedom as black women, so they suppress any information (or doctor them and take away their potency) that would cause eyes to open and cause black women to reach for all they can have. Indeed these folks that are loudly lamenting about how whites are denying them opportuntities and vital information are the same one, only too happy to set limits on the minds of their fellow black people. How they can live with the sheer hypocricy is shocking to me. Indeed some of you are talking about white folks hiding critical information from black people, well I tell you now, that they can be taught a thing or two by the master obscurants that are the black media!

It is black newspapers and magazines that dig past glaring and obvious problems for some manufactured or non-critical side issues which they send black women after. The result is confusion, with many folks doubting and afraid to voice pure and simple and effective comonsense solutions around the issues afflicting black folk because an atmosphere has been created, where comonsense is no longer seen as such.

They have also spread this disengenious way of approaching issues in the 'Black community', so that today, you can actually have seminars and conventions where black issues are discussed and there is deliberate meandering round the the huge elephant in the room and people go home feeling valid dialogue has taken place. Not just that, these 'avoidance discourses' are now the dialogue style of choice for the majority who have become practiced in chasing after imaginary or statistically insignificant problems than face squarely the key issues that are staring us in the face. Yep the big elephant goes undressed while the focus becomes some imaginery or side issue at best.

(too bad I couldnt get an all black version of this picture)

So why would I want such publications to continue to exist.

So called black media have become stepped in and characterized by blatant disengeniousness and feigning ignorance of the real issue, skirting real solutions for non solutions, refusal to highlight real solutions because they fall outside endorsed black activities, solutions and parameters. These rags have serenaded black women in the face of danger and have sold false hope and false security that has kept many black women sitting ducks. They have betrayed the trust of black women who depend on these journals to tell them the truth about what is really going on around them. The best thing these magazines have done is provide a place for black women to complain and blow off steam and then get back to drudgery. They deem this as 'doing something concrete'. On their watch, Aids became a epidemic without check among black women, singleness soared and no real suggestions on a solution is forth coming from them. Catastrophic failure I would say!

So tell me again, why I would want such publications to continue to exist.

And so there was an article in Roots about black women learning from Michelle. Same ol formula; black women are the ones always in need of some adjustment or other, while black men somehow magically remain untouched while living within the same conditions that result in black women needing corrective adjustments. It is indeed amazing isnt it, how black women's character seems to have undergone change but magically black men remain unaltered and unaffected by the same situations that have left black women in need of major preaching and attitude 'adjustment,' well according to these articles that is.

It is clear that many of these publications do not give black women the credit of having complete brains, either that or they feel they can bait and toy with black women without repercussion at this point. I know communtities that would reward such constant disengenuos commentary with 'survival threatening' subscription cancellation.

Yes, this is all deliberate, this is deliberate substituiting of the clear and apparent causes for some drummed up issue. Indeed if these editors and writers can get black women to think that maybe the reason why there is high singleness among their ranks, is because of the 2% of black women who reject nerds, then maybe they can keep them jogging on the spot long enough for some change in winds to headoff the inevitable broadening of black women's relationship search beyond just black men.

Remember this is the objective. This is about sending black women on a wild-goose chase, a stalling tactic keeping black women back from focussing on the real causes and thus from realizing the need to find solutions beyond just black men(clearly the next step open to those serious about relationships and marriage). Yep, this is about at least holding them back long enough in hope that a change will somehow 'magically' occur to prevent them resorting to non-black options.

So indeed, why should these magazines (online and off) that are playing cruel games on black women, continue to enjoy our patronage. This is simply paying to be insulted. I would much rather let these magazines fade away, so that those that have solutions and are willing to honestly deal with black women's issues have a chance to emerge. We need 'truth telling' magazines and newspapers. Being black is just not going to cut it anymore.

Get clued up about interracial dating, read the Interracial Dating E-Book

Send your questions to relationshipadvice@dateawhiteguybook.com (I will try my best to give a reply/answer)

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

Excellent post Halima. And so very true.

Stealthkitty

Felicia said...

Keep it up. KEEP it up.

BRAVO for shining the light on this issue.

The more of these "black" (black male focused to the EXCLUSION of BW's basic and average needs being honestly addressed) magazines biting the dust the better.

Many black magazines specifically targeted to BW and black girls need to seriously rest six feet under.

Because they've helped normalize a very ABNORMAL state of affairs.

And you see the consequences of this legitimatizing an illegitimate lifestyle/frame of mind/outlook daily.

AIDS, the chronically high OOW birthrate, 70% single rate, etc... are partially the result of BW taking the "advice" (poison/stupidity) given in these RAGS.

Most BW sadly have resorted to intraracial relationships that have not been based in reciprocity or equality, or have willingly let their ovaries dry up because they refused to have OOW children.

All of this MESS because of a sense of "racial obligation" BS that was partially fed to them by these deceitful and harmful publications.

Most BW have successfully been guilt tripped into staying on a sinking ship that is going under FAST.

Suffice it to say I celebrate the demise of a good number of these black rags out there.

It's better for BW to be FREE from the opinions and commentary of the black thought police anyway.

Because they mean them NO GOOD in the end.

Taylor-Sara said...

Wow, Halima! you get better and better! That was a fantastic post. And that's exactly why i would not lift a finger to help these 'struggling' publications. They are deceitful, and complicitous in bw living and dying all alone. I try to tell women never trust someone to tell you how to get out of a ditch if he has a vested interest in you staying in it....

sistrunkqueen said...

Another damaging media is black radio. There is a very controversial issue about paying artists a royalty fee for playing their songs. Of course black radio stations are against it. They would have to go out of business. I n Atlanta some of these stations just play mindless rap music and the DJs are always talking about the same ole issues. They can be very demeaning toward AA women too. They need to go!

Anonymous said...

Haha, I usually disagree with everything you say, but to your credit, you were on target with this post...especially since I found myself reading that same absurd Roots article.

Welcome said...

Million Man March, State of Black America Conference etc. and nothings changed.

Gloria said...

"...I try to tell women never trust someone to tell you how to get out of a ditch if he has a vested interest in you staying in it...."

*Two snaps and a Z-formation*

Anonymous said...

A-friggin'-MEN! I hate so much that is Black these days and am so angry at so many aspects of "the race" that I could just scream. I am glad to be clear; I'm sad that I'm so old (45) and was raised with Black nationalism in my home and heart. I'd do so much so differently. It's hard for me to date, as attraction to Black men seems organic/genetic. I know that it's not; I also know that other men aren't limited by my limitations; they've shown interest often. However, I need something to get me from point A to point C. That darned "B" has slowed me up for so long, I often fear that the race is lost for me. :o(

Anonymous said...

I agree with you ladies and to prove a point...

This past Monday I was driving to work and I had Tom Joyner's morning show on and Tom and Jay was already having a conversation about some guy.
Jay(laughing) said something about the quy in question does not have any problems when he has a fine ww at home. And, one of the lady djs said, "Oh, that is all he needs, huh?" And, Jay(laughing)said it again..."Oh, yeah you are ok when you have a fine ww at home.
All Tom did was laugh knowing he has an AA wife. Tom could have easily said something positive in defense of his AA wife. This guy Jay has no problem making bw jokes and the lady djs they seem to be a little weak when it comes to standing up for bw.

Ann

Halima said...

A-friggin'-MEN! I hate so much that is Black these days and am so angry at so many aspects of "the race" that I could just scream. I am glad to be clear; I'm sad that I'm so old (45) and was raised with Black nationalism in my home and heart. I'd do so much so differently. It's hard for me to date, as attraction to Black men seems organic/genetic. I know that it's not; I also know that other men aren't limited by my limitations; they've shown interest often. However, I need something to get me from point A to point C. That darned "B" has slowed me up for so long, I often fear that the race is lost for me. :o(

Annonymous, never say its too late or you are too old. You have entered another phase in life and with willingness and determination, you can move from A-C. There are always men who are where you are, 45 is not old at all.

Never loose hope. Yes you might have to work on getting over some hangups and ingrained ways of being.

Try internet dating, ask for some help and there are books and rescources that can help; look at the sidebar to this blog as well as follow some of the links also on side bar.

also stick around and read and read and also respond (also visit the other links to read), you are in good company with bw who do want to move from a-c and we all assist each other on the journey.

Halima said...

This past Monday I was driving to work and I had Tom Joyner's morning show on and Tom and Jay was already having a conversation about some guy.
Jay(laughing) said something about the quy in question does not have any problems when he has a fine ww at home. And, one of the lady djs said, "Oh, that is all he needs, huh?" And, Jay(laughing)said it again..."Oh, yeah you are ok when you have a fine ww at home.
All Tom did was laugh knowing he has an AA wife. Tom could have easily said something positive in defense of his AA wife. This guy Jay has no problem making bw jokes and the lady djs they seem to be a little weak when it comes to standing up for bw.


Ann I have come to see that bm see this as a competition with us on who can rack up more 'white people luv us more' points. This is really how they see it, as a point scoring session against bw.

Analyse the whole attitude of bm to IR and you clearly see this sentiment on display.

And notice how upset they get at points as if to say, 'No no, we must get more white affection than you'. 'No no this must not happen, these are our stakes to win'.

Fancy that, all the things bm could seek to excel in, it has to be that they get more interracial browny points. lol!

Pamela said...

To anonymous,

I will be 50 in December. I have had more attention from men after 40 than I ever did as a younger woman. My guess some of it is that since then I have become more comfortable in my own skin. I could care less what others think (not hostile about it). You just get to the point where other people are going to do what they want so I will do the same and dare anyone to tell me otherwise. It is amazing how much a smile helps. I had been told time and time again that I have a beautiful smile. You can genuinely smile when you are at peace within. I have been for years even though I was not in any kind of relationship.

I am convinced that environment plays into who we find attractive. At least this has been my experience. I have been in all-black settings. During those times the men I found attractive were bm, not non-bm. When I have been in all-white settings I found wm that were attractive to me. When I have travelled to Asia at times (not as much) I found some of the Asian men attractive. When I attended college with different races I found men of several races attractive at some point. Most of these black publications insist that bw should only look at bm as potential dating/marriage partners. Of course bw that partake of this madness will only find bm attractive because they will not allow themselves to look at anyone else for fear of reprisals, some violent ones at times.

Of course physical attractiveness is at the low end of importance to me ALTHOUGH I want that. At my age I realize that the definition of attractive changes over time. So does how you look:) There is a lot more to consider if you are looking for a long-term relationship. For me that is marriage. Anything less is a waste of my time.

Check out my profile picture. I just started dating him a few months ago after almost 25 years of no dating. Unless he or I should die (NOT HAPPENING) we will be married by the end of the year. It was a very long time coming but it happened for me. We met at the church I attend so I was fortunate/blessed considering being an older single. However the suggestions presented by Halima have worked for others and could work for you also.

Jazine said...

Oh Pam! I'm so happy for you and your finance! I've always enjoyed reading your posts. Your advice to 45 y/o anon is spot on. Although we can't speak to each other face to face, your warmth and confident energy always shines through in your writing. You give me as a younger bw inspiration. You have beauty outside and within.

I have met a wonderful wm myself. Still in the vetting process, and I'm purposely pacing myself by going on other dates and taking it slow, but this guy is clearly ahead of the competition.

As to the topic of the post, I agree - let these black media outlets crumble. I haven't read a black demographic targeted publication in sometime. I would in a heartbeat if the content wasn't worth the garbage can. I'm so glad Gina from WAOD put heat on Essence magazine's June issue. This anti-bw rhetoric will be exposed to more and more bw. I hope more bw will take heed.

Khadija said...

Pamela,

Congratulations! Good for you and your fiance! That's wonderful news! {wild cheering}

Back to the post topic: Yes, yes, and yes...these rags need to disappear. The sooner the better. In fact, I do what I can to hasten their demise.

I've been on an evangelizing, anti-subscription kick regarding "Messence" ever since their interview with Mo'Nique (which celebrated her "open" marriage as somehow representing empowerment).

I've known more than a few BW who had maintained their subscriptions to that rag out of habit (dating from before it became totally foul); and hadn't been reading the articles. Once they started reading the articles, several cancelled their subscriptions. Praise God; and may their numbers increase.

Peace, blessings and solidarity.

Unknown said...

I completely agree with you also. The sad thing is: almost ALL women's magazines seem to play to women's insecurities, keeping them trapped in subscriptions.

We (and other open minded women who aren't living trapped in stereotypes, perceptions of themselves based on damaging social constructs, fears etc) need to encourage black women-those who truly uplift and encourage black women to live the best lives possible-to create magazines/radio shows/tv shows/movies to represent the diverse interests and perspectives present in the black community. Our perceptions of ourselves are often based on what we see and what we hear. We have to be able to control our own images, or at least be able to present more balance presentations of ourselves.

bwdb said...

Thanks so much for this post Halima...I need to get with you about borrowing that "Elephant in the room" photo...Too funny!


Whether it's advising BW to:

1. Fight over the only 2 semi-eligible Black men in the neighborhood

2. Goto the nudie bar to meet men

3 Look up to babymamas "covergirls"

These publications have had their run...I wish 99% of them would go belly-up...These periodicals play a HUGE part in keeping BW on the hamster wheel...I am grateful to the ever-growing numbers of Black Women Empowerment bloggers who demonstrate a life beyond the "front yard"...


***BTW Pamela A BIG CONGRATULATIONS

Pamela said...

Thanks, CW.

Halima said...

CW feel free to use the elephant pic!

And yes pamela congrats once again!

Anonymous said...

Goodbye and good riddance to those anti-Black female rags!