Race in Your Face panel: Michelle, Micheal, Tyra, Jackie, and Dat
I am a little late with this post, but I wanted to see if the issue or fire of my opinion was going to die within me, but it didn’t so here I am. On Tuesday, Sept.29th Tyra, one of my fave celebs aired a show called Race in Your Face. The show consisted of a panel of people of various nationalities to be available for audience questions regarding their race.
On the panel, representing Caucasians was Michelle Collins, columnist and comedian. Micheal Epps representing African Americans who is a comedian.Jackie Guerra representing the Latin community, who is an actress and activist. Finally, representing the Asian community was Dat Fan, also a comedian. (Do you see a pattern)
Well, my burning frustration came when two particular questions were asked.The response was so full of comedy that a teaching moment was lost. Jackie Guerra and Dat Fan both answered all of their questions with comedy, but also educated. I was particularly proud when she (Jackie)was asked, why do Mexicans dress like cowboys. She gave a brief history lesson and then very self assuredly answered,”Mexicans don’t dress like cowboys, cowboys dress like Mexicans”.
Ok, so you want to know what questions got me burning? I’ll start with the one that bothers me the least. A white audience female asked, why do Black men where so much and so large jewelry, “wassup with the bling?” Micheal Epps being the chosen panelist answered, cuz we wanna show we got it like dat? We want everyone to know we able. Don’t misunderstand me, I am also a Mike Epps fan…quit playin’ Day-Day is straight my baby Daddy, but I was sadden that a teaching moment was lost.
I may be wrong, but my understanding that wearing big chains and lots of bling goes back to slavery. It is done as a remembrance and a tribute to our ancestors who were chained against their will and snatched to a foreign land and treated like animals and property. The bling says, master gave me chains of oppression, degradation, and despair, but I shined ‘em up and they became gold, diamonds, and silver. The treasury of the king that my forefathers were. I the Prince wear them in honor of them. If I am wrong please correct me. Like I said, this was the question or response I should say that bothered me the least.
The question that sparked the answer that peeved me the most was when a white man asked, why do Black mothers discipline their children so loudly? I am so disappointed at the answer that I don’t even remember what was said, but I just knew between Tyra and Mike, they would tell the truth ( where is Micheal Baisden when you need him).
This answer I know is a fact. I know it’s a fact, because my grandmother has often discussed it with me, her name was, MuDear so you know she was tough. African American mothers discipline loudly, because their mothers did it. Their mothers did it, because it was a matter of life and death. If the name Emmet Till means nothing to you then let me explain.
During Jim Crow and Segregation, if your child “misbehaved” in public you’d better be loud enough for all the good white citizens to hear you correct your child so that they knew your “colored behind” knew better. If you didn’t, white men in white sheets would come during the night and take you or your child or both, and beat you, string you up and burn your house while the rest of your family watched as you swung from a tree. Maybe if you were lucky they took your husband and only beat him and burn the house down. Either way, the white men in white sheets were coming. So yelling at your child and swatting the behind right where they stood was a life saving necessary.
To add insult to my injury, Tyra stated several times during the show after a few responses, see somethings have historical meaning. Yes Tyra they do, and you missed two very important ones. Barack maybe President, but he cannot do it alone. The shows topic was wonderful, but important teaching moments were lost. Honestly, why white people tan and why don’t they use wash clothes aren’t earth shattering or even considered note worthy, nothing for the history books, but yet they got answered.
My whole point, I just had to get it off my chest, because sometimes if you understand a person you can better deal with them. Understanding is the beginning of open communication. Communication brings about resolution. Thanks for reading.
Please checkout the link to the Tyra Show:http://tyrashow.warnerbros.com/2009/09/race_in_your_face.php
Also, I intentionally left off quotations where I wasn’t absolutely sure of exact words. I want to be the last one to miss quote someone, but I do remember what was said.
Check your local listings for the Emmy Award winning Tyra Show and check out Mike Epps in his new upcoming movie. Watch your theaters.
Lakota
