Happy Thanksgiving!

Everyone enjoy your turkey day and while it may be tempting, don't eat TOO much. Or if you do at least pace yourself, you've got all day. Happy Thanksgiving! 

Black Men Rock! ...except on B.E.T.

Now, before I launch into a whole "thing" about this, let me state a couple of things for the record. I only point these things out because since voicing my opinion about certain things I've heard much of the following:

1. I am NOT a woman hater
2. I am NOT a man lover (at least not in the sense that I put a man's feelings above a woman's)
3. I DO NOT want to be a man.
4. I DO want to see both women and men recognized for their achievements.
5. I DO think black women (and men) need to see positive role models all the time.
6. I DO think that shows like Black Girls Rock are a good idea.

With all that established, if at some point you feel the need to disagree with what I'm saying, please be my guest. But don't attempt to come at me with any of the arguments I've already cleared up above. All I'm gonna do is point you in the up direction so you can get your bearings and come back with something else. Now...

This past Sunday, BET aired a program called Black Girls Rock. When I first heard about it, I have to admit, I liked the "campaign". I didn't know it was an actual show yet. The BFF and I were trying to watch Kanye West's Runaway, and an ad for Black Girl's Rock came up on the screen. The ad featured shirts and we liked the idea of rocking a "Black Girls Rock" tee. Because of course... we rock. I was generally on board with the concept of it. After learning more about the organization, I still think it's a great idea. Wasn't sure about how long it had been around, but I liked it.

Then I saw a commercial for it. Like... this is a show? That's coming on? Really?? Just months after that whole Nightline Face Off with Steve Harvey, Sherry Sheppard and Jacque Reid about the issues of successful black women? Where all the women were yes-ing the comments about not being able to find a good black man and how they deserve this and that (because in not so many words "they rock"). See: Black Marriage Negotiation. At a time when "For Colored Girls" is coming out? A movie where all but one of the men in the film is a complete shit hole? In the midst of almost every Tyler Perry movie portraying black men negatively? (Except for that one that made the LEAST money. Anybody remember the name of that one? I'll wait...)

Ok, don't get it twisted. I'm not saying there are NO fucked up black men out there and we should be singing the praises of those who don't deserve it. There are a hell of a lot of dudes, who mirror all the negative images of black men we see. There'd be nothing to draw from if there weren't. But my experience (and the experiences of most of the people I know) show there are way more good dudes out there, they just don't have the same press agent. My point, if you haven't gotten yet, is that if anybody NEEDS a little upliftment, kudos, accolades, pats on the back, and shout outs RIGHT NOW, its black boys/men. I'm NOT saying that "pushing women forward, pushes men back". I'm NOT saying that shows like this aren't necessary for young black women. There are lots of black girls who know they "rock" and so many more that don't, so I get why it's important. I was proud of some of the things that these women and young girls accomplished. I think they should be honored everyday. What I AM saying is, where's the "Black Men Rock" show? I've never seen one. Somebody please step in and correct me if you think I've missed one.

The timely appearance of Black Girls Rock and all it represents makes it painfully obvious that the same encouragement and upliftment is lacking on the other side. In a time where it seems the divide between black men and women is getting bigger, I just want to see us ALL be held up and praised for our accomplishments. Maybe it will help bring us back together. Please let me know if you see what I'm seeing. I'm hoping all my enlightened sistas out there can appreciate what I'm saying without thinking that I'm somehow NOT supporting us.

To all the brothas out there who feel like you're not appreciated for all you do, big AND small, if you're thinking "Where's my shout outs?"

...I just want to let you know YOU ROCK! (insert confetti and award ceremony music here)