I watched parts of the HBO documentary The Black List.

I attend an annual business meeting that is essentially a “thought forum” – analyzing and discussing trends and projections related specifically to the African-American Consumer Market.

As a result of this, a white co-worker sent me an email expressing interest in attending the meeting.

I politely responded in an email that first and foremost applauded her interest and desire to further enlighten herself about the African-American consumer. However, given the limited number of space for attendees at the conference, I would respectfully reserve any open space for my African-American co-workers as their input, life experiences and ultimate use of the information gleaned would further stimulate their work as assist in their growth and development as African-American Marketing experts.

Much to my own dismay, my co-worker’s errant interpretation of my explanation was that “I didn’t think she was Black enough to attend the meeting.”

I was taken aback, first, by her fictionalized re-telling of what I had actually said.
But to the point she made, I wondered if she was under the impression that she, having been exposed to parts of the culture was “in tune” enough to actually “be” Black.

That was the only conclusion I could draw from the “Black enough” comment.

The debate over whether we have become a post-racial society is rampant and sure to continue…
There are those who feel that Black people “arrived” with the election of the first Black president; and clearly those who have not – insert comments by Donald Trump and Mitch McConnell I attend an annual business meeting that essentially is a “thought forum analyzing and discussing trends and projections related specifically to the African-American Consumer Market. A white co-worker sent me an email expressing interest in attending the meeting and seeking my consul and endorsement that she be allowed to attend.

I politely responded in an email that first applauded the co-worker’s interest and desire to further enlighten herself about the African-American consumer, but given the limited number of openings in the conference, I would respectfully reserve any open space for my African-American co-workers as their input, life experiences and ultimate use of the information gleaned would be…

The co-worker’s ‘public’ interpretation of my explanation was that “I didn’t think she was Black enough to attend the meeting.” I was taken about first by her fictionalized re-telling of what in reality what I had actually said. But to the point she made, I wondered if she somehow felt herself to be Black. That was the only conclusion I could draw from the “Black enough” comment.

The debate over whether we have become a post-racial society is rampant, devisive and sure to continue.
There are those who feel that Black people “arrived” with the election of the first Black president;

…and clearly those whether they choose to admit it, still can’t get over the fact that he actually won
–
Donald Trump – “To be honest with you, I want him to have a birth certificate,” Trump said, “because [otherwise] that would mean that his presidency was, I guess you’d have to say, illegal. You have to be born in the United States. I hope that he was born in the United States. I hope – but I want to get rid of the word hope, I want to know for sure – I hope that he was born in the United States and I hope this doesn’t become a big issue…”

Mitch McConnell – “…the single most important thing we want to achieve is for President Obama to be a one-term President.”.

I was told from as far back as I can remember to never discuss politics or religion in public forums. Casting caution aside, I recently found myself engaged in a spirited conversation with a White woman about the importance of encouraging people, all people, but most especially, people of color, to register for the upcoming round of elections…specifically the 2012 Presidential election.

In an effort to both, enlighten and make a compelling argument, I explained that many Black people, including my grandfather, put themselves in harm’s way in order to secure the right to vote not only for themselves, but future generations.

I was, and admittedly, still am, shell-shocked and dumbfounded by this seemingly intelligent woman’s response that “her grandmother too was denied the right to vote.” While I never viewed it as a contest, I couldn’t help but think to myself that it was highly unlikely, if not improbable that this White woman, ever faced the threat of death or bodily harm as a deterrent to exercising her constitutional right.

“By mid-1942, only a little more than 5,000 black men were serving in the Navy, representing a mere 2 percent or so of the Navy’s male enlisters. Almost all were mess attendants or stewards, now bowing to pressure, the Navy in January 1943, began admitting Blacks to match their percentage of the total population. By February, Black men in the Navy amounted to 26,909; by the end of the year, more than 100,000 were on active duty. – Grace of Silence, page 78

Despite the fact that these men were granted the right to serve their country, they were reminded that they were still second class citizens by their non-combat remedial assignments.

“My parents, and the countless other Black Americans, who not only endured, but thrived within the limited occupation sphere granted them, would have been proud of what has been accomplished since 1963, but they would not have wanted us whitewash that earlier world.” – NYTimes/’Dangerous White Stereotypes’/Patricia A. Turner

“Sometimes I dance around my apartment in my underwear. Doesn’t make me Madonna.” Cynthia to Tess (Working Girl)

.
As a Black man
I was told from as far back as I can remember to never discuss politics or religion in public forums. Casting caution aside, I recently found myself engaged in a spirited conversation with a White woman about the importance of encouraging people, all people, but most especially, people of color, to register for the upcoming round of elections…specifically the 2012 Presidential election.

In an effort to both, enlighten and make a compelling argument, I explained that many Black people, including my grandfather, put themselves in harm’s way in order to secure the right to vote not only for themselves, but future generations.

I was, and admittedly, still am, shell-shocked and dumbfounded by this seemingly intelligent woman’s response that “her grandmother too was denied the right to vote.” While I never viewed it as a contest, I couldn’t help but think to myself that it was highly unlikely, if not improbable that this White woman, ever faced the threat of death or bodily harm as a deterrent to exercising her constitutional right.

“By mid-1942, only a little more than 5,000 black men were serving in the Navy, representing a mere 2 percent or so of the Navy’s male enlisters. Almost all were mess attendants or stewards, now bowing to pressure, the Navy in January 1943, began admitting Blacks to match their percentage of the total population. By February, Black men in the Navy amounted to 26,909; by the end of the year, more than 100,000 were on active duty. – Grace of Silence, page 78

Despite the fact that these men were granted the right to serve their country, they were reminded that they were still second class citizens by their non-combat remedial assignments.

“My parents, and the countless other Black Americans, who not only endured, but thrived within the limited occupation sphere granted them, would have been proud of what has been accomplished since 1963, but they would not have wanted us whitewash that earlier world.” – NYTimes/’Dangerous White Stereotypes’/Patricia A. Turner

“Sometimes I dance around my apartment in my underwear. Doesn’t make me Madonna.” Cynthia to Tess (Working Girl)

I don’t watch a lot of television.

When I do, it is primarily ‘pay’ cable programming.

Nurse Jackie, Shameless, Real Time with Bill Maher, The Real Desperate Housewives of Atlanta.

…and news. I don’t know about you, but I tend to watch news programs based on both content and the likeability of the anchor(s).

When I am at home in Philadelphia, I watch the same local news that I grew up watching.

Like a pair of old shoes, it is comfortable and familiar.

If I’m ever home on a Saturday evening I do make a point of catching Don Lemon on CNN.

Whether reporting on an ever-rising crime spree in an major urban market, the volatile U.S. economic picture or interviewing a pop icon like Mary J. Blige, Lemon always brings a fresh and personable slant to his reporting.

I never assumed that the slant had anything to do with his sexual orientation.

In fact, like many of my peers who watch Lemon, we do so beacuse we are pleased (and proud) to see an articulate, attractive, African-American ‘representing’ and doing his thing in a global forum.

So, I have to ask, at the end of the day, does anyone care about his sexual orientation?

It certainly doesn’t affect how this viewer will perceive this man and the fine job of reporting he does.

The real question, as my friend, Scott Manning, asked is “Will it affect others decision to watch or not?”

Click for the New York Times article.

As the headline and accompanying article suggests, this is a potentially tough subject to raise in the mainstream, but it speaks to the pride (and predjudice) that motivates all of us.

So, let’s talk about home.

While home is defined as a place of residence or refuge, it is also used to refer to the georgaphical area that a person grew up in or feels they belong.

Home is personal…very personal.

The bottom line is two-fold:

No one wants to live next door to the “Shameless” family

(A very eccletic fictional family depicted on the Showtime series, “Shameless.”)

..and as the attached article points out,

“Blacks, like all Americans, want good schools and a safe community…”

It is part of the American dream…to have a home…one’s own safe and secure dwelling where they live and share with family. However, in reality, it is bigger than an individual. Community is a collection of individuals, interacting, sharing and affecting the lives of their neighbors.

Foreclosures helping change color of some suburbs – The Denver Post