Mind, Body, and Lens

locsnlyrics: I often find myself in spaces with other...

Tue, 21 May 2013 00:52:18 -0400

I often find myself in spaces with other self-identified, race-conscious Black folk. You are what you attract. The “conscious” Black community is not perfect, but they are my personal favorite. A Black man with a commitment to his people… well… that’s… that (keeping my blog sfw.)

I often find myself in spaces with race-conscious Black men. I’m happiest in these spaces but disappointed to find their readings stopped at race relations. Meaning, as a Black woman I’m still in their space.

I stand on the shoulders of Black female giants when I say, misogyny is no way to uplift the Black community, Gentlemen. The news gets worse. Having a female relative isn’t enough to make you exempt. If that were the case, we could assume sexism would be a biological impossibility.

A potent analogy is an electronic walkway. You’re born. The walkway is set to move you towards the oppression of women. If you stand still, you move in that direction. If you walk in the opposite direction, you remain in the same place. You have to run.

I’m not just going to tell you to stop consciously and subconsciously hating women. I’m going to give you ideas that might help you start today! That’s the beautiful part about this post. And I don’t even get paid for this gig.

1. Stop assuming you’re the exception. Across the globe, having a penis comes with perks, and every perk requires that your fellow female human be denied something.

2. Be an unapologetic feminist. A belief in gender equality might look good on you. Try it on.

3. Respect women because you respect yourself. If your respect is contingent upon the actions of women, you’re perpetuating more of the same shit.

4. Stop interrupting, disregarding, ignoring. Wait till she stops speaking and then ask yourself what you’ve done to elicit such a response from another human being.

5. Equality is not the assumption of sameness. Respect does not mean treat me like a man. That’s some gender, color-blind shit. I’m a woman. I can do things you can’t.

6. Try looking at women wholistically. Stop referring to us by body parts. Stop fantasizing about us in fragments. My mind and my vagina actually cohabitate. They make household decisions together.

The oppression of women has led to your own oppression. Sexism is a threat to male freedom. Being a man means seeing yourself in one whole piece. There is no second brain, Gentlemen. Your sexuality has been degraded. We’ve personified your penis and given you no control over it. Don’t you find that dehumanizing?

7. Make conscious sexual decisions. We are all Godly beings. Sharing your body with another human is sacred. A man who demonstrates a lack of forethought in his sexual decisions is unattractive.

In these conscious Black male spaces, I have to speak from my vantage point. I have to share my experiences, thoughts, and reflections regardless of reception. A man’s gender identity does not give his perspective authority over mine. I have to demand that anyone in my presence be active in my spiritual uplift. I don’t have to accept oppression for a man’s friendship, companionship, or whatever else. I’ll just make room for someone who has given this a little more thought.

18-15n-77-30w: http://18-15n-77-30w.tumblr.com/

Mon, 20 May 2013 15:42:17 -0400

18-15n-77-30w:

http://18-15n-77-30w.tumblr.com/

tyleroakley: See also: life.

Mon, 20 May 2013 14:56:11 -0400

tyleroakley:

See also: life.

neoafrican: El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz Malcolm X

Sun, 19 May 2013 17:11:25 -0400

neoafrican:

El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz

Malcolm X

COUNSELLING BLOG: How to Deal with Feelings of Social Awkwardness

Sun, 19 May 2013 17:10:25 -0400

COUNSELLING BLOG: How to Deal with Feelings of Social Awkwardness:

onlinecounsellingcollege:

1. Realize that you’re not the only one. The reality is that most of us worry about the same kinds of things – such as whether others like us, are bored by others, or the kind of impression we’re making.

2. Try to uncover the roots of your anxiety. There may be a variety of reasons for…

Interesting concepts not sure I agree with all

The Adventures of a Dreadhead: Love In Spite of Distance

Tue, 14 May 2013 13:44:33 -0400

The Adventures of a Dreadhead: Love In Spite of Distance:

locsofpoetry:

10 Ways to Maintain a Healthy Long Distance Relationship

1 self check, 1…2…1…2

In the essential black feminist text, Sisters of the Yam, bell hooks writes, “The art of practicing love begins with our capacity to recognize and affirm ourselves.” Before you engage in a LDR, take time to…

A pretty decent list

Wealth Inequality in America (by politizane)

Tue, 14 May 2013 03:49:02 -0400

Wealth Inequality in America (by politizane)

blackartrocks: Mother -Kasia Blanchard

Mon, 13 May 2013 15:42:05 -0400

blackartrocks:

Mother -Kasia Blanchard

tal9000: [Image: A fake Time cover: “The Indentured Generation:...

Sun, 12 May 2013 20:30:20 -0400

tal9000:

[Image: A fake Time cover: “The Indentured Generation: We trampled their rights, tanked the economy, and trashed the planet for our benefit — but expect them to foot the bill. Why we call them narcissists”]

maxcapacity:

i was just getting mad about this a minute ago

OSCILLATE (by Daniel Sierra)

Sun, 12 May 2013 19:44:15 -0400

OSCILLATE (by Daniel Sierra)

trillatran: Δ

Sat, 11 May 2013 21:55:27 -0400

trillatran:

Δ

Rappers who publicly support gay marriage

Sat, 11 May 2013 21:50:11 -0400

ibetmittromney:

Kanye West

Jay-Z

Nicki Minaj

50 Cent

Lil B

A$AP Rocky

Fat Joe

Queen Latifah

Please stop fucking acting like Macklemore is this special snowflake for being a rapper who supports gay marriage. I know yall love to pretend that black people are homophobes, so obviously the music we make must be homophobic, but that is bullshit and Wacklemore is not the first rapper to publicly support gay marriage.

nemooel: onestepinc: insanelydelish: JC PENNY SEES YOUR...

Sat, 11 May 2013 21:48:34 -0400

nemooel:

onestepinc:

insanelydelish:

JC PENNY SEES YOUR HOMOPHOBIA AND RAISES YOU A DOUBLE RAINBOW.

^ yes

I tried to scroll past this, but it must be reblogged. Must….always….reblog…..

Next time I’m at the mall I’m shopping at JC Penney

Photo

Sat, 11 May 2013 18:51:30 -0400

vmvzxn: Bruhhhhh

Sat, 11 May 2013 18:50:48 -0400

vmvzxn:

Bruhhhhh

thischick25: toughtink: christowitch: teafortwoandtwofortea:...

Sat, 11 May 2013 18:50:22 -0400

thischick25:

toughtink:

christowitch:

teafortwoandtwofortea:

African deities

Also gorgeous..

these are really cool. love the colors in the Obba poster. a cursory google search says these deities are specific to the Yoruba religion, which originates from Nigeria.

[source]

Photo

Wed, 01 May 2013 00:11:54 -0400

YOUNG FLY GIRLZ ” KEEP IT MOVIN’ ” (by...

Sun, 28 Apr 2013 16:56:44 -0400

YOUNG FLY GIRLZ ” KEEP IT MOVIN’ ” (by YoungFlyGirlzChannel)

iheartchaos: Every weekend.

Sun, 28 Apr 2013 02:06:21 -0400

iheartchaos:

Every weekend.

Ira Glass on Storytelling (by David Shiyang Liu)

Sat, 27 Apr 2013 23:11:05 -0400

Ira Glass on Storytelling (by David Shiyang Liu)