Friday, July 2, 2010
Fear
Many of the Trinidadians that I have encountered since I arrived here in Trinidad & Tobago have commented on the rise in crime and the lack of safety that has recently become an issue here. Though I understand the unease that comes with an increase of crime, sometimes the discussions seem to allude to a different issue. One instance stands out to me in particular. I was coming out of a Chinese restaurant with a woman, as we got into her car she turned around to look at a young man walking past the restaurant and remarked “I don’t trust those young men.” Something about this bothered me deeply. All I saw was a young black youth, dressed like most of the young black youths that I have encountered since I have been here. What exactly made him untrustworthy? What makes a human being fear-able? As people repeatedly warn our group that this place or this corner is unsafe, who are the one’s we should be afraid of? When does a person go from being a person to being someone to fear and what criteria are we using to make those judgments? What does it feel like to be feared?
Hang em!!!
July 2, 2010 11:33 am
Yesterday, one of the people who work in the Corporation, Rosalind, posed a question to the rest of the employees in works. She asked, what is a potential solution to immediately curb the crime levels in Trinidad and Tobago. The answer, hang them. Of course, as a person who is extremely anti- capital punishment, I was appalled. But to my dismay, my usual arguments against the murdering of ex offenders did not apply here. Hanging is not as expensive as other methods of execution used in America, so I couldn’t pull the “it’s cheaper to keep them than kill them” argument. They also feel that with such low conviction rates, the convictions carried out are just- they do not believe there is a race issue in their criminal justice system. And with such low conviction, how can one even begin talking about recidivism hardening criminals. Stumped I began asking about the cause of crime her. Though this is the lay perception, it calls for a deeper look into the cause. They maintain that poverty is not a major issue. (Though Trinidad is a supposed 3rd world country, I believe that it is relative poverty that leads to crime and so I am not sure whether or not it really is an issue). Also, Trinidad has universal education. SO questions arising are: Is there high relative poverty? And just because there are high educational opportunities does not mean there is high attainment, so what are the attainment levels? I also want to know how race affects criminal justice in Trinidad.
Yesterday, one of the people who work in the Corporation, Rosalind, posed a question to the rest of the employees in works. She asked, what is a potential solution to immediately curb the crime levels in Trinidad and Tobago. The answer, hang them. Of course, as a person who is extremely anti- capital punishment, I was appalled. But to my dismay, my usual arguments against the murdering of ex offenders did not apply here. Hanging is not as expensive as other methods of execution used in America, so I couldn’t pull the “it’s cheaper to keep them than kill them” argument. They also feel that with such low conviction rates, the convictions carried out are just- they do not believe there is a race issue in their criminal justice system. And with such low conviction, how can one even begin talking about recidivism hardening criminals. Stumped I began asking about the cause of crime her. Though this is the lay perception, it calls for a deeper look into the cause. They maintain that poverty is not a major issue. (Though Trinidad is a supposed 3rd world country, I believe that it is relative poverty that leads to crime and so I am not sure whether or not it really is an issue). Also, Trinidad has universal education. SO questions arising are: Is there high relative poverty? And just because there are high educational opportunities does not mean there is high attainment, so what are the attainment levels? I also want to know how race affects criminal justice in Trinidad.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Black Love, According to the Washington Post
*Originally published in the "Talking Drum"
Every few years the Washington Post seems to publish an article attempting to update the world about the status of black love. On Wednesday, March 25, 1997, the Post linked both declining marriage rates and climbing divorce rates to the increasing vulnerability of black men and the economic state of the black population, along with other cultural explanations such as outlook on divorce, etc. The ratio reported then was 772 black men for every 1,000 black women.
By October 8th, 2006, not much had changed. They reported 70 black men for every 100 black women. This article chronicled single black women who were doing everything from going abroad to dating inter-racially in order to overcome the numbers game in search of love.
And now, not a year after the media dubbed Michelle and Barack Obama the new image of black love, the Post is at it again. Most recently, the Post’s December 10th, 2009 article titled “Successful, Black, and Lonely” offered a preview into Helena Andrews’ new memoir, Bitch is the new Black, while focusing in on the outlook of the marriage chances of Black women.
All in all, Society seems to have a lot to say about black love. Newspapers, news programs, Twitter, and Facebook were buzzing with this discussion after this piece was printed. As a result, Black woman are being constantly reminded about their prospects for marriage.
When and why did the marital status of 42% of black woman become news worthy? Especially in a society where other topics about them, such as reports on missing black women, are few and far between. It seems like the media is exasperating the fears many black woman already have. Is the situation becoming worse in perception than reality, and what affect does that have on black women and their relationships?
One situation I experienced hinted that perception and reality may not be in line. At a black woman’s health summit last semester, a group of undergraduate Duke women were asked what they thought the on campus male-female ratio was. Responses went as high as 8 to 1. In reality, the numbers came out to about 2 to 3. Though still outnumber, the numbers were not as nearly skewed as we all thought they were. Is it possible that this scenario is applicable elsewhere?
Making this situation into a newsworthy crisis increases the feelings of urgency that move women to be ultra-competitive towards one another as well as settle for people or behavior that we do not deserve. Though I am not seeking to minimize the issue at hand, I am arguing that articles like these in the Washington Post are bringing the numbers to the forefront for a lot of women, and making the situation look much direr than it truly may be. Predicting that only 75% of black women will find the men of their dreams is not a situation that calls for women to throw hope out of the window. If anything, it does call for us to fight even harder against the causes of this imbalance: incarceration, failed education systems, black on black violence, etc. It is not a call for the finger pointing, blaming, or bitterness that seems to arise during discussions surrounding this issue. There’s no room for this.
After all, Black women have already overcome many things. Whether we decide to fight the imbalance head on, date outside of our race more often, or re-imagine happiness as single women, hope is not lost, regardless of what the Washington Post says.
Every few years the Washington Post seems to publish an article attempting to update the world about the status of black love. On Wednesday, March 25, 1997, the Post linked both declining marriage rates and climbing divorce rates to the increasing vulnerability of black men and the economic state of the black population, along with other cultural explanations such as outlook on divorce, etc. The ratio reported then was 772 black men for every 1,000 black women.
By October 8th, 2006, not much had changed. They reported 70 black men for every 100 black women. This article chronicled single black women who were doing everything from going abroad to dating inter-racially in order to overcome the numbers game in search of love.
And now, not a year after the media dubbed Michelle and Barack Obama the new image of black love, the Post is at it again. Most recently, the Post’s December 10th, 2009 article titled “Successful, Black, and Lonely” offered a preview into Helena Andrews’ new memoir, Bitch is the new Black, while focusing in on the outlook of the marriage chances of Black women.
All in all, Society seems to have a lot to say about black love. Newspapers, news programs, Twitter, and Facebook were buzzing with this discussion after this piece was printed. As a result, Black woman are being constantly reminded about their prospects for marriage.
When and why did the marital status of 42% of black woman become news worthy? Especially in a society where other topics about them, such as reports on missing black women, are few and far between. It seems like the media is exasperating the fears many black woman already have. Is the situation becoming worse in perception than reality, and what affect does that have on black women and their relationships?
One situation I experienced hinted that perception and reality may not be in line. At a black woman’s health summit last semester, a group of undergraduate Duke women were asked what they thought the on campus male-female ratio was. Responses went as high as 8 to 1. In reality, the numbers came out to about 2 to 3. Though still outnumber, the numbers were not as nearly skewed as we all thought they were. Is it possible that this scenario is applicable elsewhere?
Making this situation into a newsworthy crisis increases the feelings of urgency that move women to be ultra-competitive towards one another as well as settle for people or behavior that we do not deserve. Though I am not seeking to minimize the issue at hand, I am arguing that articles like these in the Washington Post are bringing the numbers to the forefront for a lot of women, and making the situation look much direr than it truly may be. Predicting that only 75% of black women will find the men of their dreams is not a situation that calls for women to throw hope out of the window. If anything, it does call for us to fight even harder against the causes of this imbalance: incarceration, failed education systems, black on black violence, etc. It is not a call for the finger pointing, blaming, or bitterness that seems to arise during discussions surrounding this issue. There’s no room for this.
After all, Black women have already overcome many things. Whether we decide to fight the imbalance head on, date outside of our race more often, or re-imagine happiness as single women, hope is not lost, regardless of what the Washington Post says.
The root of the "problem": On my love life
Most of my relationships have been short term disasters. That's an understatement. All of my relationships have been short term, and laced with various levels of disaster. I have never had a serious long term relationship and with the number of men I meet on a regular basis, I had to be really screwing things up somewhere. Somewhere along the line I went completely awry?
The answer came to me as I was analyzing my current relationship with a male friend, thinking to much. I have trained my self to never let my heart rule. Rationalizing every single detail, over thinking every step. All the way to the point where I don't even know what I want in a potential mate anymore. In fact, I don't even have a type anymore. I have trained myself to hold on to every possibility rather than taking the time to pursue a relationship with one person. All my "maybes" get in the way of the men that I should be investing time into, the men I could really fall in love with.
Everybody has become my type, yet I don't give any one an adequate chance to win my attention and keep it all to himself. A fine mess.
If no where else, here the heart should rule. So now, I am going back to basics to figure out what it is that I want. And when I find it, I'm going after it.
*PS "Problem" is in "" because I don't think being single is necessarily a problem. :)
The answer came to me as I was analyzing my current relationship with a male friend, thinking to much. I have trained my self to never let my heart rule. Rationalizing every single detail, over thinking every step. All the way to the point where I don't even know what I want in a potential mate anymore. In fact, I don't even have a type anymore. I have trained myself to hold on to every possibility rather than taking the time to pursue a relationship with one person. All my "maybes" get in the way of the men that I should be investing time into, the men I could really fall in love with.
Everybody has become my type, yet I don't give any one an adequate chance to win my attention and keep it all to himself. A fine mess.
If no where else, here the heart should rule. So now, I am going back to basics to figure out what it is that I want. And when I find it, I'm going after it.
*PS "Problem" is in "" because I don't think being single is necessarily a problem. :)
Thursday, September 17, 2009
THE Angela Davis
Over 65 and still remarkably beautiful at her age, in more ways than one. I got to hear this revolutionary speak in a room of crowded bodies, personal space long forgotten. She sat 15 feet from me. Speaking about the Critical Resistance 10 grass roots movement. Speaking briefly on Obama. Forcing me to inspect myself, my consciousness, and my priorities. I had walked into the Training for Success school feeling nervous and small at the imminent possibility of being in the presence of someone so great.
I left knowing that the person I had been waiting for all along had walked in with me. And that either my dissertation or thesis was probably under my fingers. I also left knowing that my role as a sociologist would be the same as a writer, to make revolution irresistible: through mythbusting, etc.
I left knowing that the person I had been waiting for all along had walked in with me. And that either my dissertation or thesis was probably under my fingers. I also left knowing that my role as a sociologist would be the same as a writer, to make revolution irresistible: through mythbusting, etc.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Oh Kanye
Not going to complain about the so-called Hip Hop nominations, and not about to argue over whether or not what Kanye did was wrong. Instead I choose to dwell on the comments that arose from his act.
The comments have been seen before: "Setting the race back", "Making Black people look bad", "Confimring the idea that we're ignorant niggas."
We, as a people, can't seem to stop self policing. We condone others' right to judge us. This is ridiculous, esp since society will continue to find fuel for their ideologies and stereotypes even if we censured ourselves invisible. Instead of fighting our behaviors can we fight their right to judge us as a group, the right to assume that Kanye's behavior is a product of his race. If that's the case, the guy calling our president a "Liar" was a member of the wrong race.
The comments have been seen before: "Setting the race back", "Making Black people look bad", "Confimring the idea that we're ignorant niggas."
We, as a people, can't seem to stop self policing. We condone others' right to judge us. This is ridiculous, esp since society will continue to find fuel for their ideologies and stereotypes even if we censured ourselves invisible. Instead of fighting our behaviors can we fight their right to judge us as a group, the right to assume that Kanye's behavior is a product of his race. If that's the case, the guy calling our president a "Liar" was a member of the wrong race.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
"We talk on this page"...
As I was walking through the hospital yesterday on my way home from work I came across this poem in a frame on the wall. Langston Hughes' "English Theme B". Loved it but especially this line in particular.
This line reminds me of a concept that comes up over and over again in my english classes: the idea that every book you read is a dialectic between you, the author, the characters, etc. I believe this whole heartedly, in fact, this is why I read so slowly. I can't help but think over every idea, connect the lines on the page to stories or people in my own life, or stories that I have heard before.
It makes me happy to write between the lines on the pages in books. Not only because this is a mark of ownership, but also because when I read the book in the future it will become a conversation between myself, the book, and the thoughts I had when I read originally.
I get to engage with the likes of Toni Morrison, Octavia Butler, Ralph Ellison, and Gwendolyn Brooks on my own terms.
"...I feel that what people bring to my work it at least as important to them as what I put into it." -Octavia Butler
This line reminds me of a concept that comes up over and over again in my english classes: the idea that every book you read is a dialectic between you, the author, the characters, etc. I believe this whole heartedly, in fact, this is why I read so slowly. I can't help but think over every idea, connect the lines on the page to stories or people in my own life, or stories that I have heard before.
It makes me happy to write between the lines on the pages in books. Not only because this is a mark of ownership, but also because when I read the book in the future it will become a conversation between myself, the book, and the thoughts I had when I read originally.
I get to engage with the likes of Toni Morrison, Octavia Butler, Ralph Ellison, and Gwendolyn Brooks on my own terms.
"...I feel that what people bring to my work it at least as important to them as what I put into it." -Octavia Butler
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