I find this to be one of the funniest (and ill-informed) things I've read all week. Coincidentally, the following was left in my post about how we've permissively excused racially charged Condi cartoons because she's a Black Republican :

Buttersoul(at)hotmail.com

So I happened across you site thru the blogoshpere. I will do my best to convey the heart wrenching disgust I see here on your little corner of the blogoshpere. First, I'm going to tell you that I'm NYC raised black woman. My mother was not only a Black Liberation Army member but she is also a Vassar graduate. I myself have been raise all my life to be proud of my heritage as well as keenly aware of racism and assimilated racism of my brothers and sisters. I have lived all over the country as well as traveled abroad. I have attended various colleges including Vassar like my mother. With the diversity of experience that I have been exposed to I must say, you my sister are not even aware of your own self-hatred. You press and straighten your hair, denying yourself an acceptance of who you really are on a topical level let alone internally. Do you really think that because you have been exposed to rich white kids you have managed to assimilate? Because you mingled in prep schools, assumed their ideology that you (or Condoleeza for that matter) are a white persons peer in their eyes? I myself have been exposed to the same and have also lived in Seattle but never adopted the mindset of those environments as it seems you have. You have adopted the goals of a culture that has no love for you. You come to the southern states and you will be rocked to the core to know at how obvious the injustices and prejudice that still thrive and plot against you and your people in such a indirect, extensive and cunning way here in this country. I am truly saddened that you have not been exposed to your heritage, truly. You don't even know who you are. This was the goal of slavery as well as it continues to be a facet of American society to mold it's negros, just like Condoleezza, Colin and the many that think assimilation is the answer to African Americans identity crisis or general issues. *shaking head* Actually your position is just an easy way out as far as I see it. It's definitely easier to assume the dominating ideology than to take hold of the truth and fight for it to be heard.

Posted by Ambra at November 22, 2004 8:33 AM in Blogging

 

« In Defense of Tarjay | Main | Column's Up »

 

 

Comments { 58 }

 

Wait, isn't this an English language blog, created in the U.S.?

Posted by mj | November 22, 2004 | Link | Reply

For someone that is so "proud of [her] heritage", she sure does have hate for other races. On the one hand, she's proud and confident in her race, and this and that...and on the other, she's terrified of what other cultures have to offer.

It simply doesn't add up.

I smell a fraud.

Posted by Tadou | November 22, 2004 | Link | Reply

Her name must be NoelleTA. *shakes head violently*

Posted by Eric | November 22, 2004 | Link | Reply

I'm assuming that you are a child of God, which cannot be defined by others' definitions of what you should be.

Posted by mj | November 22, 2004 | Link | Reply

And what truth is she reffering to? That you should be living in the ghetto with two or three illegitimate kids from different men? That you should be wearing tight short shorts and tight shirts and you should be dating a guy with a diamond studded necklace big enough to blind someone if they catch it in the sun?

Bravo to you Ambra for being yourself and not falling into the traditional black stereotype. Is that the African American identity? Pimps, hoes, and rap music? I think you can and you have risen above that. I respect you for that.

Posted by spencer | November 22, 2004 | Link | Reply

Oh the irony...suggestion go live in the hood or attend a predominantly black college. I'm talking to you "Abraham/Nykola" or whatever your name is...and know this I'm just dropping my two cents in...whatever comments may result I don't care. Generally, people only value the opinions of those that matter to them.

People like you make me want to join the KKK. Yes, I am a black person. It's not because you voted for Bush, it's because you cannot just "be". Go back to college and finish what you started.

Personally, I don't care about what white people think about black people. Or what black people think about white people. Stereotypes have been around since black people came to America. Haven't changed and never will change. There will be no racial harmony on earth.

And my opinion on Iraq is that Saddam was tending to his business. Would Americans want someone to come over and destroy their way of life? If you think that Iraq is better off, some of you need to read this-http://www.riverbendblog.blogspot.com/

Posted by SolSister | November 22, 2004 | Link | Reply

This is a combination of the fact that you as a black woman live in Seattle (a predominately white area) and that you do not spew the black rhetoric that is heard in most places (i.e. YOU ARE AN INDEPENDENT THINKER). This woman has wrapped he identity in her blackness, the fact that she lives in NYC, and in the "piece of paper" she received from a WHITE MAN (college degree). Who is shallow here?

Posted by Duane | November 22, 2004 | Link | Reply

As expected, the nationalists come out of their trove. What I find hilarious are that people who say things like the comment or SolSister, haven't read my blog in its entirety and make assumptions based on what they think they know. Just a few things I'll point out:

1) Neber make false assumptions about a person's upbringing.

2) Seattle isn't Conservative, it's Liberal...Duh. The fact that my beliefs more closely align themselves with conservative values makes me an outcast here, not an assimilant. I don't do this to be accepted.

3) Vassar and Wesleyan are the same in that they're one of those "Little Ivy" liberal arts college that breed liberalism.

There is no need to respond in depth to commenters who talk out the side of their neck (read: they don't know what they're talking about). Don't cast your pearls before swines.

Posted by Ambra | November 22, 2004 | Link | Reply

What is with this assimilate stuff?

Blacks are from Mars, Whites are from Venus?

Posted by Steven J. Kelso Sr. | November 22, 2004 | Link | Reply

Unfortunately, in a way you are "casting your pearls before swine" because you dare to think independently, and you've posted your thoughts in public.

Posted by mj | November 22, 2004 | Link | Reply

PURE COMEDY!!

Posted by Rikki | November 22, 2004 | Link | Reply

tsk, tsk. Those Seven Sisters' tuitions just don't buy what they used to?

(does dey??)

Posted by Bijan | November 22, 2004 | Link | Reply

Yes, come on down to the Southern States where people burn crosses on interracial couples' lawns.

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/22/nyregion/22cross.html?ei=5006&en=afd9377348d45e27&ex=1101790800&partner=ALTAVISTA1&pagewanted=print&position=

Oh, what's that? That was in NEW YORK, the bluest of blue states? Oh. My bad.

Posted by Yurodivi | November 22, 2004 | Link | Reply

And what pray tell (in response to this post), is the point of linking articles on cross-burning and blatant bigotry? Has there ever been a question on my site that I don't believe racism is deeply entrenched, rampant, and indoctrinated into our sytem?

I've been to the South plenty, I have family there and yes, I see what we're up against. I am not a Republican. AND??? What is the point here? These links and comments about the South are supposed to provoke what? Am I supposed to throw my fist up and say, "You know what, everybody else is right, it's a woman's right to choose, I'm growing my hair natural, going back to get that almighty degree and voting for Kerry!"??

Last time I checked, Lil'Kim and all the other video whores (and hos) had relaxers (for the un-cultured, chemical hair straightener)...our energy would be much better directed towards how black people are being misrepresented in media. Heh. Now that'll preach.

Posted by Ambra Nykol | November 22, 2004 | Link | Reply

I'm not sure to which "whites" this woman is referring. Not anyone I know. I am a white woman raised in an all-white upper-middle class community and I don't have problems with Ambra. I feel that she is certainly equal to me except she writes a whole lot better than I do. And thta makes me less, not her....:)

I now live in a mostly middle class city with very few blacks. However, from time to time black residents ahve lived in our condo and no one looked twice. Everyone gets along well. Of course I live in S. California where anything goes--any race, religion, sexual orientation and so forth. We have learned more acceptance perhaps than other palces. I'm not saying everything is hunky dory here as far as racism goes, but I think a lot of this is now classicism rather than always racism. The commenter above that asked if you shoud live in the ghetto with three children has it right on. It's not about racism as much anymore (well..in most places..the South is a different country), but it is getting mroe and more about classism. If (excuse my terminology here) "poor white trash" moved into our condo, we would all be up in arms. But a clean-cut black person? No one blinks an eyelash here.

Oh, I forgot to tell you that 35 years ago our city was the headquarters for the Nazi party here in the USA. Since then our city has come a long waaaay, baby.

Posted by Diane Roberts | November 22, 2004 | Link | Reply

I'm not sure to which "whites" this woman is referring. Not anyone I know. I am a white woman raised in an all-white upper-middle class community and I don't have problems with Ambra. I feel that she is certainly equal to me except she writes a whole lot better than I do. And thta makes me less, not her....:)

I now live in a mostly middle class city with very few blacks. However, from time to time black residents ahve lived in our condo and no one looked twice. Everyone gets along well. Of course I live in S. California where anything goes--any race, religion, sexual orientation and so forth. We have learned more acceptance perhaps than other palces. I'm not saying everything is hunky dory here as far as racism goes, but I think a lot of this is now classicism rather than always racism. The commenter above that asked if you shoud live in the ghetto with three children has it right on. It's not about racism as much anymore (well..in most places..the South is a different country), but it is getting more and more about classism. If (excuse my terminology here) "poor white trash" moved into our condo, we would all be up in arms. But a clean-cut black person? No one blinks an eyelash here.

Oh, I forgot to tell you that 35 years ago our city was the headquarters for the Nazi party here in the USA. Since then our city has come a long waaaay, baby.

Posted by Diane Roberts | November 22, 2004 | Link | Reply

Buttersoul squeaked: "I myself have been raise all my life to be proud of my heritage as well as keenly aware of racism and assimilated racism of my brothers and sisters."

Who is the direct object and who is the subject in this verbal monstrosity?

Further: "You have adopted the goals of a culture that has no love for you. "

1. How can a culture have love...
2. How can a culture prove love...

Blathersoul:"You don't even know who you are. This was the goal of slavery as well as it continues to be a facet of American society to mold it's negros, just like Condoleezza, Colin and the many that think assimilation is the answer to African Americans identity crisis or general issues."

A "facet of American society is to mold" its African-Americans. Awright-- so where is the master plan? Where do they hold these meetings? Who is she kidding? People are people and just truck along. Old people die, ideas change, and culture grows from a mix of ideas. This idea of a conspiracy of direction ignores the random, crazy and malleable nature of society.

Posted by Brian Crouch | November 22, 2004 | Link | Reply

Puked by SolSister: "And my opinion on Iraq is that Saddam was tending to his business. Would Americans want someone to come over and destroy their way of life?"
Sometimes I could just scream. This twerp ignores the cheers in Dearborn's Iraqi neighborhood, the weeklong party in Iraq after racist murderer Saddam was felled from power, the exultation when he was later captured. "Tending to his business"? What a farking idiot. Does Solspitter know how Saddam came ot power? Does she know about the Republic of Fear? Of course not.

"If you think that Iraq is better off, some of you need to read this." If you think it's not better off, you need to talk to the Kurds and the Shia. Riverbend was a Sunni Baath insider, sucking the life out of the Iraq. She's a sleaze. Solsister is depending on info from the equivalent of a politburo insider during the Stalinist pogroms, or the blog of a Nazi. Or maybe, like reading the words of a white Boer during the power shift in South Africa. The Sunni Baath were the evil inner circle that controlled and abused Iraq. But as long as Riverbend insults America, she must be the good guy, right Solsister? Never mind that she's a nazi racist slime.

Posted by Brian Crouch | November 22, 2004 | Link | Reply

Some of you are missing the point. For a person who has "lived all over the country as well as traveled abroad", and attended Vassar,her grammar is atrocious. I don't agree with everything I read, but often respect a columnist or writer for their ability to articulate their stand (W.F.Buckley,G. Will, e.g.).

BS, however, is a distracting read because of the way in which she uses language. Ambra, if you gave her real e-mail address, she's gonna get deluged.

Posted by Bijan | November 22, 2004 | Link | Reply

To this woman 'Black heritage' = victimization. However one views it the African-American experience has always been a reflection of 'white' America's ethos and pathos. What one chooses to do about it is the key to progress. The Civil Rights movement was progress. 'Black heritage' = vicimization, even with legal safeguards, brawling multimillionaire baskeball players, a black Secretary of State replacing another black Secretary of State, Barack Obama after Carol Moseley Braun, Al Sharpton making a foll of himself and the Democratic party with impunity, the black CEOs of Merrill Lynch and American Express, Sidney Poitier life time achievement Oscar which he says is also owed to white Jewish producers (the Mirisch brothers) and more, is truly sad.

Posted by Kevin Leo | November 22, 2004 | Link | Reply

To this woman 'Black heritage' = victimization. However one views it the African-American experience has always been a reflection of 'white' America's ethos and pathos. What one chooses to do about it is the key to progress. The Civil Rights movement was progress. 'Black heritage' = vicimization, even with legal safeguards, brawling multimillionaire baskeball players, a black Secretary of State replacing another black Secretary of State, Barack Obama after Carol Moseley Braun, Al Sharpton making a fool of himself and the Democratic party with impunity, the black CEOs of Merrill Lynch and American Express, Sidney Poitier life time achievement Oscar which he says is also owed to white Jewish producers (the Mirisch brothers) and more, is truly sad.

Posted by Kevin Leo | November 22, 2004 | Link | Reply

Dang B, Tell us how ya really feel.

Posted by Eric | November 22, 2004 | Link | Reply

It's definitely easier to assume the dominating ideology than to take hold of the truth and fight for it to be heard.

The one thing that actually made sense to me in all that spew. Of course my idea of "the truth" and Buttersoul's are two entirely different things...

Posted by Joan | November 22, 2004 | Link | Reply

This person seems to be an armchair Ambra-ologist. I always say ignorance is the fruit of presumption.

Anyway, It seems somewhat antithetical to title this post 'fanmail'.

Posted by Alex | November 22, 2004 | Link | Reply

Ambra,

sorry to give offense. But I do get *really, really tired* of having to defend the south against people like your anonymous correspondent. That was my only point. She seems to think racism is much worse here than in the "blue" states.

In my travels (and briefly habitation) outside the south, the tension between black and white seems much higher than it does here, or any other place I've been in the south. Part of that is surely that I am most comfortable at home and among my familiar cast of characters, but part is also the palpable tension I've felt in St. Louis, Boston, Philly and Chicago -- the stares and glares I got when I wandered into the wrong place or bumped into the wrong person. Being threatened with a lawsuit because I used "Rhett" and "Scarlett" as names in a classroom illustration, because, you know, they were "racist icons."

So sorry if I offended you. That was not my intent.

In any case, prejudice and bigotry will always be around. They're as natural as the fight-or-flight response, as natural as murder, adultery or thievery. And they won't go away until our Lord comes back.

Posted by Yurodivi | November 22, 2004 | Link | Reply

Ambra,

sorry to give offense. But I do get *really, really tired* of having to defend the south against people like your anonymous correspondent. That was my only point. She seems to think racism is much worse here than in the "blue" states.

In my travels (and briefly habitation) outside the south, the tension between black and white seems much higher than it does here, or any other place I've been in the south. Part of that is surely that I am most comfortable at home and among my familiar cast of characters, but part is also the palpable tension I've felt in St. Louis, Boston, Philly and Chicago -- the stares and glares I got when I wandered into the wrong place or bumped into the wrong person. Being threatened with a lawsuit because I used "Rhett" and "Scarlett" as names in a classroom illustration, because, you know, they were "racist icons."

So sorry if I offended you. That was not my intent.

In any case, prejudice and bigotry will always be around. They're as natural as the fight-or-flight response, as natural as murder, adultery or thievery. And they won't go away until our Lord comes back.

Posted by Yurodivi | November 22, 2004 | Link | Reply

This is funny stuff Ambra. This woman's ignorant comments are the equivalent of verbal diarrhea... aimed not to inform but to insult. I am proud of YOU for being a rose amongst thorns, and for not being afraid to stand your ground. You very much know WHO you are... and that doesn't make you any less black. You're a beautiful child of God! I feel honored to know you... even if it's not in person, but via this blog. God bless!

Posted by Janna | November 22, 2004 | Link | Reply

Dang! Sorry about the double post.

And for the record, I'm not a republican either.

Posted by Yurodivi | November 22, 2004 | Link | Reply

Ambra, the "rose amongst thorns" comment I made was not in reference to the "thorns" being African-Americans... I am saying that the "thorns" are ignorant people... no matter what race. I just wanted to clarify so no one is off-put. :)

Posted by Janna | November 22, 2004 | Link | Reply

So having nappy hair, moving to the south and using "ebonics" is supposed to make me "a real sista"? Please. The devil IS a liar.

Posted by Gina R Johnson | November 22, 2004 | Link | Reply

Well, once again, I figured the masses were smart enough to drudge their way through such rhetoric. And even more eloquently so than I would have myself if I'd responded.

Eric: You're a MESS!! :-)

Gina: *high five* and thanks for my second laugh of the day.

Posted by Ambra Nykol | November 22, 2004 | Link | Reply

I am white. I am a theist. Like Ambra I was a heady intellectual type. I was in love with my own accomplishments. I learned quickly that there is no real freedom or meaning in worldly praise and achievement. Only by knowing Christ can we know ourselves(to paraphrase Pascal). Only by serving him are we truly free. Props to Ambra for being so Independent and on fire with love for God!

Posted by phil | November 22, 2004 | Link | Reply

Does anyone know if there are any Black Republican sellouts? Is/Isn't there a single one? How do you tell?

Posted by memer | November 22, 2004 | Link | Reply

Esse Quam Videri

Posted by Alex | November 22, 2004 | Link | Reply

memer(the pot stirrer),I'm with ya on that. I don't believe anyone can be a "sellout". People don't sellout,we buy in.

Posted by Eric | November 22, 2004 | Link | Reply

"As expected, the nationalists come out of their trove. What I find hilarious are that people who say things like the comment or SolSister, haven't read my blog in its entirety and make assumptions based on what they think they know. Just a few things I'll point out..."

This is exactly my point, didn't you do the same thing to Lisa????

For the record:

1. I am a college graduate

2. Non-ghetto

3. People white and black say that I talk and act white(not that I care one way or the other).

4. Who cares about name calling??? calling people a sleaze etc.,

5. You know less about me than I do about you, so truly you don't have enough information to say anything about me.

6. My entire message to you is that you don't speak for all black people.

7. Lisa does not represent all black people, or all black people in the South.

8. Relax your hair or wear it natural, who cares?

9. White people brought black people from Africa as slaves. White people always think that black people should act the way they expect.

10. Summation: You are a lame (expletive) poor excuse for a Negro your readers are mostly white boys who act like pussies. Well, y'all started. Name calling and racism with slavery.

11. The most important point is that all of you can get together and collectively kiss my black (expletive)...that is all.

12. I am not a Democrat nor a Republican- but I approved this message.

13. You have the nerve to abuse every bloggers rule and then use the ones that you want to your advantage. No wonder the white boys secretly want you as their "I've never been with a black girl toy."

14. Everyone has a right to be...be black or gay or ghetto or uneducated but want to be intellectual. Oh yeah, did I mention that most of the bloggers on your comments are GAY (expletive)WHITE BOYS?

[ Comment edited by site administrator for language. This is your first warning. The next time you use foul language, you WILL be banned. Other than that, this comment was left in its entirety to show how juvenile and childish "grown" adults can act when confronted with the truth. Quite revealing isn't it? Watch the machine at work... ]

Posted by SolSister | November 22, 2004 | Link | Reply

Solsister, your e-mail says all we need to know about you. "Gay white boys"? Surely you cannot be serious. I just got one question for you Solsister, the drugs that you are on,do you cook them on the stove, or do you grow them in your closet?

Posted by Eric | November 22, 2004 | Link | Reply

poor thing got her heart broken by a white guy and now she wants to take her anger out on the rest of the world. sad.

Posted by Jasmin | November 22, 2004 | Link | Reply

///SolSister said: 8. Relax your hair or wear it natural, who cares?///

Esse Quam Videri

I'd rather be who I am than seem to be who I am not. In the mortal words of Benjamin Franklin "What you seem to be, be really". Your dogma is the reason every rich, young, black, male, childhood friend of mine have been to jail or dropped out of school (with the exception of my brother an I). I guess being showered with everything and living in the 3-story houses with the elevators wasn't enough. They felt the need to sustain an erroneous, media-driven 'image' of blackness--the same false image that you suggest.

///SolSister said: "Oh yeah, did I mention that most of the bloggers on your comments are GAY (expletive)WHITE BOYS?"///

So is that what you googled for when you unintentionally ran across this blog?

*chortle*

I think you did a thorough job of exposing yourself with your own solecism, so I shall not comment further.

Although I am interested in what expletive you could've use alongside 'gay' without sounding extremely stupid.

Posted by Alex | November 22, 2004 | Link | Reply

I receive similar e-mails, Ambra. What always gets me when these people spout nonsense like "You've adopted the goals of a culture that has no love for you." What does that mean? Unless you're doing things a certain way, the "black" way, that you are not "authentically black" or don't know your heritage? Who gave these people authority to make such assertions?

I was born and raised in the south, and the crack about the "southern states" isn't true. I don't know what's she's talking about. I'm making no sense so I'll stop writing. I've got to learn to control the emotions!

Hang in there, Ambra...

Posted by LB | November 22, 2004 | Link | Reply

Wow... so THAT is why I have had no luck with the chicks. Glad our tolerant SolSista pointed out the problem so clearly!

I always thought it was my chunky frame and smart-aleck nature ;)

Posted by Glen | November 22, 2004 | Link | Reply

Congratulations on being interviewed in Seattle Magazine. And how you put this posting up for balance and all, such class. Given her rage for you, I shudder to think what Buttersoul thinks of Oprah. Is someone really supposed to know their own true, deep, inner-most 'self' by twenty five anyway?

Posted by P. Scott Cummins | November 22, 2004 | Link | Reply

Well, this was a refreshing course in race relations.

Let's review:

All black people who don't fall in line with your brand of political ideology are playing the victim card.

All black people who don't fall in line with your brand of political ideology fall into the "stereotypical black person" category. (Wasn't aware there was one. Learn something new every day.)

Using colorful language to describe liberal black leaders is allowed, but villifying Condi Rice for being the mindless black drone she is is verboten.

Hm. Got it.

A lot of your fans consider themselves mental giants. As my Muslim hairstylist would say, "This makes me feel laugh." I'm not going to attack you or applaud you for being "different" or "special." That's right up there with "Oh, you're so articulate!" and we ALL know what that means (well, I shouldn't say all because you seem to live in a very different universe than most of us). Anyway, this post and these comments have been quite fascinating, as it reinforces my longstanding belief that while the "moral majority" love to make rules, they never love to FOLLOW them.

Quite frankly, this scares me. I've always been one of those "live and let live" types. I mean, what do two homosexuals marrying have to do with ME? What does a woman having an abortion have to do with ME? The God that you and your kind are shoving down our collective throats believed in free will, right? So who are we to infringe upon a person's right to do what they want?
But the sweet irony is that your kind are the ones who decry government meddling. Like I said, FASCINATING.

Oh, a fascinating tidbit about marriage and the US gov't: they only got involved to prevent miscegenation after the civil war. Isn't that something? Boy, I tell ya...the more things change...

I'm sure you won't post or respond to this because it isn't sensational enough. I didn't pepper my response with four-letter words and I didn't call you a shiftless, Uncle Tomming sellout, which is sure to disappoint your fans as I'm sure they'd love to see another "stereotypical black person" getting all riled up and snapping her neck like a caricature on some UPN show. I just gotta be me, though.

All most of us really want is the right to live our lives in the manner we see fit. It isn't up to you or your crew to save us from ourselves; if you and your friends follow the Bible you so desperately cling to you'd remember that THAT is actually God's call. And if you're right, feel free to go "neener neener" when He shoves me into the "Down" elevator.

This country is doomed to collapse from the weight of its own hypocrisy. Of that I am certain.

Posted by Encyclopedia Brown | November 22, 2004 | Link | Reply

Oh, and I'd be remiss if I didn't post this, since a few of your friends need a refresher course on the definition of racism:

Racism is founded on the belief in one’s racial superiority over another.

Racism encompasses the beliefs, attitudes, behaviors, and practices that define people based on racial classifications.

Racism involves a generalized lack of knowledge or experience as it applies to negative beliefs and attitudes.

Racism uses the inflexible assumption that group differences are biologically determined and therefore inherently unchangeable.

Racism does not exist in a vacuum, but rather is enacted and reinforced through social, cultural, and institutional practices that endorse the hierarchical power of one racial group over another.

Without the social power necessary to exploit the objects of a particular group's prejudice, there can be no racism. Racism in the United States is purely a function of the long-standing institution of white privilege and the socio-political power wielded by those who adhere to it.

In short, Power + Prejudice = Racism.

You're welcome.

Posted by Encyclopedia Brown | November 22, 2004 | Link | Reply

Ambra,

She makes some valid points concerning some black folks who try to assimilate, but she has you pegged wrong, as did I at first. Dont sweat that shug

Posted by Jayda Kaine Alston | November 22, 2004 | Link | Reply

Eric, I really like that idea about buying in vs. selling out, but I'm afraid you misunderstand me. A common response to accusations of "Uncle Tom-ing" (just to choose a term. puh-leeze don't give me some technicality about how UT is really some majestic hero or whutever. you bloody well know what i mean) is to say it's a free country, and these guys really do have the right idea (blablah).

Thing is, surely Uncle Tom-ism isn't dead. People are still people afterall. The chief classic reasons for Uncle Tom-ing ain't dead:

1) self-preservation (if you can't beat 'em...?)
2) overriding attraction to power
3) extra goodies from being a go-with-the-flow-er

And, if I read EB right (man, what an awesome nom de plume. i used to LOOOVE them books), there's a potential fourth one that's cropped up for the modern day Black Conservative:

4) need to feel "different"/"special".

Can we confidently say there are no UTs in America? Condy might not be one. She may be a conservative who somehow found her way to that camp completely independent of the traditional routes mentioned above. Thing is, by being in such lock-step with Administration policies, she looks like one. So how can you tell she's NOT?

Colin Powell, in my books anyway, has largely removed himself from that label as he's been known to actually buck the boss (or the boss' cabal). Mebbe it's too early to say for Condy (tryin ta be charitable), but there is precedent set by Kissinger for an SoS to push independent (ie. different) policies from bossman's.

Posted by memer | November 23, 2004 | Link | Reply

p.s. EB, I agree with the definitions of racism cept the last paragraph. That is just racism-in-action.

Posted by memer | November 23, 2004 | Link | Reply

Dang!! I'm a white guy but I'm not gay. Does that mean I have to leave the message board? :(

Posted by Ray Phelps | November 23, 2004 | Link | Reply

EB's got a point regarding hypocrisy. One can't very well say "I want the federal government to tell folk what to do w/ their pregnancies and what they can and can't do in their bedrooms, then, get all upset when the same BIG GOVERNMENT wants to take away some of your rights (i.e. your rifle, your handgun, your right to home-school)

Can't have it both ways people.

Posted by Bijan | November 23, 2004 | Link | Reply

Thanks, Bijan and Memer. I loved the E. Brown series as a child too. I'm a girl, though. And I blog under the same name at the website I linked. :)

Posted by Encyclopedia Brown | November 23, 2004 | Link | Reply

I am the last person to ask everyone to hold hands and sing "Kumbaya." It's frustrating to find folks who claim to be intellectual types hurling insults at one another.

I can see that a handfull of you bloggers have addressed Buttasoul's email but no one has really countered what she actually said. I just see insults. If you disagree with her views, say it and give ample reason, don't insult.

I will say that Buttasoul (and i love you, woman!) was wrong about Ambra on quite a few things. She is not a republican, an elitist, or a right winger. Ambra may say a few things some of of us don't agree with, but she is not a "sell-out."

I will say this, some of you have some racist views about black people. I tend to work and live with some of the most intelligent and active black people. Not all of us are gangsta rappers or basketball players. Not all of us listen to Lil' Kim. Then again, not all of us are intellectual types. Some of us are working class folks who want to go to college and make sure our children have the best, like everyone else.

It bothers me that people only have two images of black people: the Uncle Tom or the field slave. That is not the case.

Posted by Dan Tres OMi1 | November 23, 2004 | Link | Reply

Dan, you make a good point. I think for all different types of people, stereotypes abound. In the case of black people, mass media projects only two extremes and since most of us have bought-in to the machine, we only base our assumptions on what we see. Or rather, what is shown to us. The same is so for black people who've been systemically indoctrinated (often by their own people), to think that they must operate in a lower quality of life than intended. We have to be careful that we don't let our false realities based on linear thinking determine how we categorize people, even when we think we're saying something good.

And this isn't to say my white readers have to walk on egg shells around me. I've been subjected to quite a bit, so very little phases me. I also know that hyper-sensitivity and bullying in this country has given birth to a bunch of people who are afraid to be honest about what they're feeling for fear of being labeled a racist, bigot, homophobe, or any other 'ist'. I'm all about dialogue.

And to your points Bijan and Jayda Kain, the unfortunate thing is that when people resort to mis-appropriated anger, mudslinging and vapid (and stereotypical) personal attacks, it disqualifies whatever good and valid points they may be making. And if I might co-opt a line from the Cosby Show (the I-ching and sum of all wisdom), "it's like delivering a juicy steak and potatoes on a trash can lid--not too appetizing".

What we are encountering here is the inherent problem I have with political parties. People read snippets of my writing and jump to assume I'm a Republican, wherein the knee-jerk *hatehatehate* reaction is become defense and stoop to the lowest of lows by becoming self-credentialed arbiters of racial authenticity.

But what happens when someone doesn't fit the stereotypical ideology we've all become accustumed to hating so much? The same goes for Republicans that love to hate Democrats. They get nervous when they are unable to pin someone according to the flip chart of hatred.

I understand the assimilation theory. I'll tread lightly today, but I've seen it exemplefied in the Asian/Pacific-Islander community both for the good and for the bad. There are a lot of issues here, but in getting back to the origination of this post--the Condi caricatures. I thank Oliphant and Danzinger for being bold enough to publish a snapshot of what many white, liberal Americans consider permissible to think about black people.

Yes Houston, we have a problem. The defense mechanism for independent political thought is to attack identity. If we can make people think and feel less than because they reject certain ideology, than we can get them to "buy-in" which is really the true definition of "selling-out".

Posted by Ambra Nykol | November 23, 2004 | Link | Reply

It's not a problem with the political parties per se. You'll encounter this kind of heat in these kinds of forums where usually it's the boldest (read: brashest bigmouths) who plant a stake.

still, in all the nobody-knows-my-story stories, nobody's answered my question: how do you tell a real Uncle Tom? do you agree that there likely are some still around?

p.s. is it never ok to draw cariactures of Black people? Esp, er, tough-on-the-eyes ones like Condy? not an easy answer for me.

Posted by memer | November 23, 2004 | Link | Reply

"Buying in" is the definition of "selling-out" Naw, I can't believe that. When a person buys in, all that person is doing,is accepting a certain mindset or philosophy. Selling-out involves not believing in a certain mindset or philosophy, but goes along anyway. Yeah memer, I would guess that there are some UT's around,but you can't tell a real one. A real one would have to TELL you. Fess up and stuff.

Posted by Eric | November 23, 2004 | Link | Reply

Uncle Tom -- I have to be quite honest, I NEVER READ Uncle Tom's Cabin. I need to. But here is what i found in my dictionary (it's in there , Merriam websters, crazy huh?) :

Etymology: Uncle Tom, pious and faithful black slave in Uncle Tom's Cabin (1851-52) by Harriet Beecher Stowe
1 : a black who is overeager to win the approval of whites (as by obsequious behavior or uncritical acceptance of white values and goals)
2 : a member of a low-status group who is overly subservient to or cooperative with authority

Personally, i agree with the above definition, but i find drug dealers, tv evangelists, and others who take advantage of their own people to be Uncle Toms as well.

Posted by Dantresomi | November 23, 2004 | Link | Reply

Hmpf! I knew there'd be somebody who couldn't resist funkin up the definition ;-)

Eric: fair enough, soul brotha, fair enough.

Next stop: tweezing out this old formula
Conservative Values = White Values

Posted by memer | November 23, 2004 | Link | Reply

This seems to me to be all about group think/identity. To be honest it seems to me that among some black people in this country, of course they are individuals, however, there SEEMS to be a lot of pressure to conform to the group, as we see with emails such as this, and the treatment that some prominent black individuals receive when they go against the majority of the group.

I'm disgusted that the 'tolerant and diverse' left would sit idly by and defend the blatantly racist depictions of Ms. Rice. Excusing it by saying, "She's not black enough." It is the height of dirty racial politics.

I don't recall hearing of prominent white people having someone question their "whiteness." However, here we have a writer, Ms. Nykols who goes against the status quo, and her racial identity is questioned.

I'm sorry to see this. The email in question is chock full of fallacies, universal claims that are easily falsified, which render the claims null and void.

Nearly every black woman I know relaxes their hair. So what? I don't get the objection to this, as being an attempt to "look white". My daughter has very curly hair, I straightened it some, it's not pin straight, but it's relaxed, I did this for practical reasons, to make it more manageable.

I read this website regularly, I don't post comments usually, but I just want to chime in and say, I applaud you for standing up for what you believe in.

I fear that white people who voice their support of your writing will just add fuel to the fire, apparently if white people like you or agree, this is bad, cause we're all evil racists you know.

Posted by Heather | November 24, 2004 | Link | Reply

Ms. Vassar-educated needs to embrace the fine art of using paragraphs. But I suppose that would force her to organize her ideas in a coherent manner.

Sol[sic]Sister: I'm a "gay white boy?" Hmmm, that explains my love of show tunes. Sheesh! Talk about a VNJC (Vast Nut-Job Conspiracy)!

How come I never get any good mail to make fun of? ;-) ('Cause you know I'll do it.)

Posted by Juliette | November 24, 2004 | Link | Reply

Aw man, you missed your chance!
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