The Angry Black person
Either you've seen it...you've experienced it...or you've done it. Everyone (Black, White, Yellow, whatever) knows what I'm talking about. For us Black folks, whenever we decide that we do not want to be bothered, like by the Girl Scouts out in front of Wal-Mart; a sales clerk in a dept store; someone in the mall or on the street handing out flyers or coupons; etc. -we put on this "mean-muggin-don't-eff-with-me" look that says "if you mess with me, I'll kick your ass". I did it today at lunch on a woman that was backing out of a parking space at the bank. I shot the look at her- she slammed on her brake and waited for me to pass. Is it wrong? Probably. But the bigger question.....
Is it effective? Oh hell yeah! Whether it be a co-worker or family member, that "don't mess with me today" look, works like a charm.
I hate to say it but, aside from a few select white friends of mine (you know who you are.... "Hale") most cannot pull off "the look" with any reasonable degree of success. I suppose that is the "plus" side of the media always making us out to be "scary and crazed" (if there is such a thing as a "plus" side) Think about it. When we are not the scary type, we are often labeled as acting "white" or told
"Gee, you aren't like the other ones". For the longest time, our sports figures did their best to be "not like the other ones". Now in this age of "keeping it real", our sports figures look, act, and portray themselves as common thugs and hoodlums. Instead of bringing an air of class and common decency back to the hood, most have chosen to bring the hood to the levels of the aristocrats (i.e. 50 Cent hanging with Donald Trump; Bruce Willis partying with Snoop Dogg, etc). I'll leave that alone for now...and save that for another rant. In closing, next time you feel you
have to use the "mean mug", take a moment to give thanks to the media who has helped perpetuate the stereotype. We of course, turn right around and use it to our advantage which, in the grand scheme of things, probably isn't such a bad thing after all...or is it?
As always,
To Punka, Doobie and Ses- my love.
one
Either you've seen it...you've experienced it...or you've done it. Everyone (Black, White, Yellow, whatever) knows what I'm talking about. For us Black folks, whenever we decide that we do not want to be bothered, like by the Girl Scouts out in front of Wal-Mart; a sales clerk in a dept store; someone in the mall or on the street handing out flyers or coupons; etc. -we put on this "mean-muggin-don't-eff-with-me" look that says "if you mess with me, I'll kick your ass". I did it today at lunch on a woman that was backing out of a parking space at the bank. I shot the look at her- she slammed on her brake and waited for me to pass. Is it wrong? Probably. But the bigger question.....
Is it effective? Oh hell yeah! Whether it be a co-worker or family member, that "don't mess with me today" look, works like a charm.
I hate to say it but, aside from a few select white friends of mine (you know who you are.... "Hale") most cannot pull off "the look" with any reasonable degree of success. I suppose that is the "plus" side of the media always making us out to be "scary and crazed" (if there is such a thing as a "plus" side) Think about it. When we are not the scary type, we are often labeled as acting "white" or told
"Gee, you aren't like the other ones". For the longest time, our sports figures did their best to be "not like the other ones". Now in this age of "keeping it real", our sports figures look, act, and portray themselves as common thugs and hoodlums. Instead of bringing an air of class and common decency back to the hood, most have chosen to bring the hood to the levels of the aristocrats (i.e. 50 Cent hanging with Donald Trump; Bruce Willis partying with Snoop Dogg, etc). I'll leave that alone for now...and save that for another rant. In closing, next time you feel you
have to use the "mean mug", take a moment to give thanks to the media who has helped perpetuate the stereotype. We of course, turn right around and use it to our advantage which, in the grand scheme of things, probably isn't such a bad thing after all...or is it?
As always,
To Punka, Doobie and Ses- my love.
one
posted by Darryl Krush at 1:55 PM
0 comments
