So What's with the Q & A

Okay people, I see that the Q & A idea has gained some traction. How would this work? I can’t imagine what you guys would ask. As big E so often tells me I have already put all of my business in the street. Give me an idea of what you are talking about and I will see what I can do.

Trying to get the newsletter together for fan club members. Had one done in anticipation of this but the info in it is now old. So it might take a few days.

Every once in a while I get emails about race. Usually don’t like to touch that one – hot issue. But since a Crew member brought this up I thought I’d give it a shot. She asked whether things like Essence and Ebony festivals were reverse discrimination and asked whether I thought it was okay to exclude white people who really do want to address the race problem. She said that she felt a sense of exclusion and thought it did not help, but hurt, the racial harmony we so desperately want.

HERE’S MY FIRST STATEMENT. I DON’T GET UPSET BY DIFFERENT POINTS OF VIEW. LOVE RATIONAL CONVERSATIONS AND DIFFERENCES OF OPINION. I LEARN NEW STUFF ALL THE TIME. BUT EVERYTHING I DO HERE IS MEANT TO BE TOWARDS GREATER UNDERSTANDING. SO SAY WHAT YOU THINK BUT DON’T GET ALL EXCITED OR MAD. IT’S NOT THAT KIND OF PARTY.

So here’s my response to the black organization race issue thing in general. First, being black is not just a race issue. When we gather we talk about more than our relationship to white people. Being black involves cultural differences.

In the circles I typically travel in often I am the only one or one of a few. Then there are times where I am among mostly black folks at social function of family functions. These different groups have different social rules. I obey the rules of the room I am in.

I believe that black folks and white folks GENERALLY (there are always exceptions) have a different way of doing business and a difference of perspective. I don’t think that can be avoided. But – and here”s the important part – that is not a bad thing I like to think of this country as a salad as opposed to a blended drink. We live together in harmony but we retain our distinct identities. I think different cultures should be celebrated.

So the question is is it reverse discrimination when things like Ebony and Essence have conferences?

Here’s my take on that. First white people go to these conferences all of the time and they are not excluded. In the 2009 Essence Music Festival 3 of the 12 Headline acts were white. Second when black folks get together we are not just talking about discrimination. Our gatherings are not all racial problem solving. We have a vibrant culture. Just like the Irish or Italians may have cultural organizations black folks do as well. Jazz / Krumpin / hip hop / blues and rock and roll all have strong black roots.

Also black people are different – not better – not worse – but different. We can’t go to white hair shows and expect to pick up any tips, we have different medical issues. Sickle cell is the easy one but we have vastly different rates of all kinds of diseases. Valley Fever comes to mind. Black men have an especially difficult time with that disease – almost every black guy I know out here has had a bad case of it – something they’ve discussed among themselves to look out for. Black churches have a whole different vibe.

And then there are things like Step Shows. (Which i love and think they are the sexiest thing in the world!!! – all that hard core maleness OOOOOOOO 0)

(Okay, I’ve fanned myself now.) We did a show on divorce court this past season (hasn’t aired yet) where the guy was a frat bro. (a Q, I think) all of the black folks in production and I started laughing and talking about how we loved step shows. None of the white folks where hip to it so we explained.

We have (and frankly need to embrace more fervently) different ideas of beauty. Black men love ladies with ‘back’. I got back – a lot of sisters do – that’s why we often have so much trouble buying pants. Our waist to butt proportions are usually quite different than main stream designers create. There is also less pressure to be thin in the black community.

When you have a party with mostly black people it will have a different flavor than a party with mostly white people. We have different patterns of speech and different sensibilities as to what is funny.

But by the same token I knew several white people who “hung black” in college. It was cool cause they liked how we conducted business. And they were always welcomed.

Nothing wrong with being different as long as you don’t attach a value judgment – good or bad to it. So I guess the short answer is (of course as you know I rarely go for the short answer) no I don’t think black organizations are reverse discrimination. We have a real and separate culture that should be celebrated. And, like I said, white folks come. Last Tom Joyner (famous black radio host) party I went to white folks were there on panels and attending but we talked about black culture and issues beyond discrimination. We did the Electric Slide and dropped it like it was hot. The P Funk.

So there it is. I think we should spend time looking at positive aspects of things – even differences. Of course there are, as Tony Brown said, A liberal sprinkling of fools in any culture, hence you may have negative experiences crossing that racial divide. I know I have. But while you must be aware and break down barriers when you can I don’t believe sameness is the goal.

Harmony. Open mindedness and understanding. Let’s try for that.

My ten cents worth.