Writings on Race » NubianImp Projects

Snapshot of the week ending : 2009-03-16

Reflections & Ruminations, Writings on Race No Responses »

Mar 162009

Let’s see… Themes for the week:

Dying
Race

Both located in my sense of family and the way people should be treated. Why is it that the individual at the centre point is so often ignored? While the absolute focus doesn’t need to be there, it is the touchstone. Conversations radiate out from that point. From the specific out to theory and concept and back to the individual again.

So, a dying woman gets to have agency regardless of what the people around her need. She gets to stand in line first. The reasons and justifications and blah blah blah that the living have are not her work.

So, a PoC or whomever is being defined as “the other” gets to have agency and should be considered when folks choose to converse generally or specifically. The reasons and justifications and blah blah blah that the those who are doing the “talking about” are not the work of the subject.

Both things made me think about my own mortality and purpose. And neither needs to be burdened with my personal sense of horror. It’s not additive. And it’s selfish in a way that ain’t all that helpful.

FetLifeâ€™s Racism Rant III

Writings on Race No Responses »

Mar 162009

So, like a fool I log on before I’ve had coffee or taken my morning shit. STOOOPID.

Some dude comes online: Some black kids in a cafeteria were using it and a white teach said she was offended and the kids looked at her…. and, what if the word in play was faggot…

So I went off and was not polite. JEH-ZUS. I’ll be a little more clear here than there. what I catually wrote is further on.

Dude: children and mad dogs get a different measuring stick than those masquerading as adults. And, Dude, is “faggot” the BEST you can do? Really? Did you think through the non-existent argument before you hit submit? Did you think we would do the work for you and just KNOW what your point was? ‘Cause in the absence of accompanying analysis… I’m judging you. Sorry. Try again. OK?

A poster brought up her position of power and how that related to her use of the word. I was thankful to her for bringing power into the conversation. Class should be there and so should geographic culture.

But ultimately this is Race 101 shit. It’s people on the playground pretending to be adults. There ain’t a lot of smart so I’m not certain why I continue to go wading. I will say that EM dived in a couple times and as always she wrote in a smart accessible way. And ya know what? Folks took it personally and DIDN’T get it. GAWD. You don’t have to agree people! Just get it and abe additive to the conversation!

I’m totally revising my egotistic view that kinksters are smarter than the average meat suit walking around out there. I did it once with a group of lesbians online and again online with a group of LeatherDykes (a lot of that is archived in this blog). My Sisterly-Frenemy FF is right and I keep wanting to deny it: folks just ain’t that bright around this. They want to ignore or forget or justify or defend or protect or whatever. There isn’t ACTUALLY a lot of good will around “gettting it”.

I tend to think that I am intermediate in an advanced world. That I have a lot to learn and there are lots of folks out there who are waaay smarter than me. I feel like I spend a lot of time trying to catch up and to be worthy to open my mouth. I’m vociferous when I speak, and often seem positional, but usually I’m just wanting people to be more clear and to intelligently back their shit. I love being wrong actually. It’s an opportunity to learn and that is porn to me. Different than office supply porn but just as powerful…

Mama is tired. And NO. Not everyone reading this gets to call me that.

Here’s want I ranted next:

Is it really a question of Semantics?

Writings on Race No Responses »

Mar 152009

So I’ve been reviewing and processing a couple of bad racist experiences that I had some time ago.

Arguing on FetLife will do that.

At one point I was having a conversation with someone and I said something like “there’s a difference between political correctness and racial awareness ya know!” Now… I probably could have used better or more clear language. And I found myself at the time not being able to make myself understood which has bothered me ever since.

There are good people out there who think that they are aware but are really just being politically correct.

FetLifeâ€™s Racism Rant II

Writings on Race 1 Response »

Mar 152009

Why the FUCK can’t I just let things slide and not get involved?
http://fetlife.com/groups/541/group_posts/115084

My most recent response to this thread on why can’t certain words (nigger) be used in conversations around racism. Why? ‘Cause focusing on the word is NOT focusing on the CONCEPT under discussion! Excuse me while I silently judge. While I’m doing so , feel free to read on what I posted…

FetLife’s Racism Rant I

Culture & Community, Writings on Race 1 Response »

Mar 132009

A friend of mine, EM, emailed me this week to rhetorically scream about engaging in fruitless battles on FetLife. The question prompting her email? Is Poly Queer. In this case it was heterosexuals appropriating the land queers stand on. “How do I get sucked into these things?” she asked.

I read and then giggled to myself. Oh those of the majority norm… not enough of you to hang out with? Feel like you need to stand on my piece of ground too? I told her: “you get yourself into these things because you are an UPPITY queer….”

And then tonight I got a message on FetLife looking for input on a Racism thread in the FetLife Rants section. So I hand to wander over. And then I had to respond. So I did. GAWD.

——————–

Sorry Manners: Civility and Incivility in the Scene – Part II

Culture & Community, Writings on Race No Responses »

Mar 132009

From: Leather Journey

by Chris M (Black Rose) and Lady Medora (NOPE)

In fairness, we don’t want to suggest that leatherfolk are inherently rude people. The scene, as wonderful as it can be, contains many subtle and seldom discussed “stress factors” that contribute to uncivil behavior. Like water over a stone, these stress factors wear on the nerves year after year, thus setting the stage for impatience, irritation, depression, and the empathy deficit we have already discussed. These are the rudeness-producing rudeness that prompts retaliatory rudeness in return.

Leather Ethics: Civility and Incivility in the Scene

Culture & Community, Writings on Race No Responses »

Mar 132009

Do you remember when you first saw this piece? It came to me in email what seems like loooong ago. I’ve thought about this because of experiences I had at conferences I’ve been travelling to over the past year and a half. I’ve looked for a way to get permission to re-print this. I’m not convinced that it is complete. But I don’t want to loose it because I think it has some important things to say.

I try to remember that the norms of civility differ from culture to culture, continent to continent, country to country, region to region, city to city, neighbourhood to neighbourhood, and social setting to social setting. It’s hard sometimes.

But i try to keep in mind that it is not my place to impede the journey of another physically, mentally, emotionally or spiritually. I’m not always successful.

I am relentlessly, pathetically, gloriously, beautifully, tragically, gracefully…. human. And I strive to do the best I can each day, which sometimes ain’t a lot depending on the ruler, to be the best person I can. To be a better person as time goes by is something to strive towards.

Words like these are totally additive to that pursuit.

Kink-e-Zine : Black History Month Edition

Arts & Culture, Culture & Community, Writings on Race No Responses »

Feb 082009

Februaryâ€™s issue of Kink-e-Zine, honouring Black History Month, has just launched, & it has shaped up to be one of the biggest issues yet! For some of us, itâ€™s a beautiful tribute, & for other itâ€™s a valuable education—regardless, they are proud to present it to you.

Features on the inside:

A Place Where Race and BDSM Intersect

Our Actions > BDSM, Writings on Race No Responses »

Nov 262008

I’ve been screaming about the intersection of race and BDSM for a bit (not as loud as some though!) Even at this past weekend’s event I brought it up. No surprise when it came to the response of the participants. One of the presenters, Rope, who is Native American, lobbed a word or two in at different points too. I aspire to her grace in dropping and moving on.

Came across this wonderful thing that I think I just MUST attend:

How to tell people that they are racist

Writings on Race No Responses »

Nov 252008

LOVE this:

http://www.illdoctrine.com/2008/07/how_to_tell_people_they_sound.html

A wonderful video. I stole the link from a friend who posted it to Facebook. Someone commented that they were confused because there was no need for the Vlogger to “act Black”. I thought… REALLY?! Did you see the same video as me? GAWD.

Promise I’ll write about my time in San Fran soon. And yes, for the folks who keep typing me, I’ll be doing a D/s Dinner/salon soon, soon soon…

Prop8 Includes Black Queers

Dykes, Sapphists & Other Cousins, Writings on Race No Responses »

Nov 102008

I am SOÂ fucking frustrated.

How is it that I am hear shit from queers about how “they” could vote for a Black man but “black people” didn’t vote for Prop8?

SAYÂ WHAT?!

Like, even if one does the math and assumed that EVERYÂ black person voted (including those who inellgible like children), and EVERYÂ black person voted democrat, it still wouldn’t have been enough votes on their own? JEEEZ people do some math at least.
Continue reading »

Watching the American Election II

Writings on Race No Responses »

Nov 042008

… and may those around him remember that he inherited the legacy he is responsible for from not only a different man but a different party.

A short honeymoon methinks.

Keep him safe.
Keep him safe.
Keep him safe.

What now?

Damn… McCain yapping on TV. I’d like to kick him. ALL about race. Fucker. Make it small baby. You go on ahead and frame it like that. Blah, blah all about blackness. Gonna put that man in danger.

Keep him safe.
Keep him safe.
Keep him safe.

Watching the American Election

Writings on Race No Responses »

Nov 042008

I’m a Canadian. So I can’t vote. But I did participate in the Global Electoral College:
http://www.economist.com/vote2008/index.cfm

This is a historical moment for the world I think. Hopefully I’m not just full of media and pop culture brain washing. I don’t think so.

I was born two years after, almost to the day, of Martin Luther King’s assasination. I’ve always considered myself a Child of his Dream. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbUtL_0vAJk

Forty years later, in my lifetime, I am alive to see this possibility arise. I wonder what he would say now? Or Rosa Parks? Or the many other strong voices that missed this moment.

However, I have also not lost sight that regardless of what occurs, this election will make history. A pair consisting of the oldest man to run and a woman are also running. How interesting that in these times of international distress that the States are choosing from a among a slate of candidates that are challenging no matter which way they vote.

I’ve been resisting the lure of the TV for over an hour but now I’m feeling twitchy. I feel like I gotta watch this. I need to SEE. Before I turned it off I felt like a junkie. Compulsively switching between stations and checking the internet. The last time this happened to me it was Hurricane Katrina blowing change through the States.

Obama is great… but not up my box

Sex & Gender, Writings on Race No Responses »

Oct 102008

GAH!

http://www.headostate.com/

Stuff OTHER people like..

Writings on Race No Responses »

Aug 132008

Well meeting the author of the blog Stuff White People Like was very interesting. Started blogging January 8, 2008 and had a printed book by June 6, 2008. More abut that another time. He did mention that all kinds of lists had sprung up in imitation. So I googled:

Stuff White People Like

Writings on Race No Responses »

Aug 122008

The author of the blog/book “Stuff White People Like” is reading at 7pm tonight at the Chapters on Robson. http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.com/

I’d really like to go. Interested?

My D/s Syllybus for BlackBeat

Education, Our Thoughts > D/s & M/s, Writings on Race No Responses »

Aug 112008

SO EXCITED!

Here’s my planned schedule for BlackBeat so far:
Continue reading »

The only conference of its kind in North America

Education, Our Thoughts > D/s & M/s, Writings on Race No Responses »

Aug 012008

Soon I’ll be on my way to Black Beat. A conference I’ve been wanting (and fearing) to attend for five years or so.

http://www.blackbeatinc.org/

I can’t wait to surround myself with black kinksters. To be able to walk into a space where I don’t have to explain so many things about how the wind blows with me or ignore them altogether.

Sometimes I forget that I’m black. And I move through the world as if I have the same rights and am viewed the same as everyone else. Then I remember. Or am reminded.

So they say…

Self-Indulgent, Writings on Race No Responses »

Jun 222008

[emerging from the shadows of listening]

I been tracking some of the writing that has appeared since I return to writing with tales of the texture that my life has on a “this is 2008!?” level.

It always amazes/amuses me what people will speak to or address and what they won’t. The places/spaces/times where folks will be VISIBLE with whatever flavour of commentary. The where/when that people will place/insert their words or actions. The consistency/inconsistencies.

I watch those things and I log them. File them away.

‘Cause I do want to sleep without keeping one eye open.

The butch l**es me…

Self-Indulgent, Sex & Gender, Writings on Race No Responses »

Jun 192008

How do I know?

‘Cause the gauntlet was throw down to show up. To acquire some skills. To GET IT. And to have the courage to figure out what that meant to move through the world so that complicity is not a part of what I have to deal with in my personal life and PARTICULARLY when walking by my side.

‘Cause I won’t take excuses anymore if you want to touch my flesh. Nope.

I got a call about an intervention that had been performed. “You’d have been proud of me.” And I was. “Was it hard?” I asked. There was a pause. “No, actually.”

And today I got this in my morning email:
http://www.theroot.com/id/46894/?GT1=38002

Huh.

I’m gonna have to keep this one around a little longer apparently.

Older Entries

NubianImp Projects

Snapshot of the week ending : 2009-03-16

Is it really a question of Semantics?

Leather Ethics: Civility and Incivility in the Scene

Kink-e-Zine : Black History Month Edition

A Place Where Race and BDSM Intersect

How to tell people that they are racist

Prop8 Includes Black Queers

Watching the American Election II

Watching the American Election

Obama is great… but not up my box

Stuff OTHER people like..

Stuff White People Like

My D/s Syllybus for BlackBeat

The only conference of its kind in North America

So they say…

The butch l**es me…

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