| Author | Message | ||
     Troy AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Troy Post Number: 1965 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: N/A |
Ebony Ain't What it Used to Be? September 28, 2009 at 6:08 PM http://www.theroot.com/blogs/time-inc/ebony-aint-what-it-used-be Sexist though it my be, if Jet drops the "beauty of the week" so goes my subscription. Ebony: Up for Sale? The advertising slump hammers the nation's oldest magazine devoted to African-American life. http://www.newsweek.com/id/216176 | ||
| Emanuel Veteran Poster Username: Emanuel Post Number: 726 Registered: 03-2004 Rating: N/A |
The thing about Ebony is that it caters to the black middle class. It also cares too much about the status of being rich and/or famous. Sure we know the Jim Crow days are over but there are still hard-hitting issues out there that affect us all. For example: poverty, racist views towards a black president, and an overabundance of black men in prison. As a kid, I only glaced at Jet for two reasons, the "Beauty of the Week" and the music charts. Now that the Internet gives us instant access to beauties of the week, Billboard charts, and more, who needs Jet? | ||
| Cynique "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Cynique Post Number: 14128 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: N/A |
People always criticize Ebony for being too mainstream. They also say it is written at a grade school level. Maybe so, but this is the demograph which makes up the bulk of the black population. Ebony gave the people what they wanted. I don't think their circulation ever suffered greatly because they weren't sophisticated enough. Those who complain are the exception, not the rule. Its loyal readership did not outgrow Ebony. Like all print media, Ebony became a victim of electronics and economics; the internet and the recession. | ||
| Chrishayden "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Chrishayden Post Number: 8211 Registered: 03-2004 Rating: N/A |
What ruined Ebony is not writing for Black folks What ruined it is writing for white folks--the advertisers, the libraries, the occasional white subscriber or reader. You can be hot or cold but if you are lukewarm people will spit you out. | ||
| Cynique "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Cynique Post Number: 14137 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: N/A |
Hummmm. That's an interesting take. | ||
| Yvettep AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Yvettep Post Number: 3656 Registered: 01-2005 Rating: N/A |
It is not just Ebony. Magazines are folding left and right and those that still exist are amping down their print versions and increasing their web and interactive components. I love the Ebony/Jet greeting card/commemorative poster line and hope they expand that. (And maybe hold onto it instead of selling.) But the days of monthly glossy print magazines may be coming to an end. It really wouldn't matter what the content/style/focus/reading level of Ebony was--this was going to happen in this environment regardless. | ||
| Soul_sister Veteran Poster Username: Soul_sister Post Number: 104 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: N/A |
Hey y'all, I have to chime in. As a graduate from an HBCU with a degree in print journalism and a subscriber to several Black print publications. I am a dinosaur - wrong school, wrong major and wrong passion. Nevertheless, I appalled at the cannibalism that is happening with "relics" of African American culture. My contemporaries - Gen-Xers who believe in this whole post-racial age of Obama is HOG WASH. So a few Blacks have accessed white, ivy league schools. The new hue and cry is - let's forget the past and happily integrate America - as Americans - no longer African or Black Americans. This is a criminal thought process that will disinherit succeeding generations of Black folk. Yes, we are living in a global community and some elements of our history have been integrated - the national celebration and recognition of Black History Month - since 1976 -the Asian Pacific Islanders, Latino's and others have adopted a similar strategy and now they have their own months. Conversely, there are Muslim, Cuban and African Albino youth turning to hip hop to explain and explore the terrorism of their living conditions - and they cite the success of Public Enemy, KRS-1 and other conscious rappers for inspiring them to employ rap as a means to exhale and diffuse radical thought. The whole history of African American survival has inspired other oppressed people who have come to believe that they too can live, full and relatively healthy lives. America’s principle export is popular culture which is intrinsically Black culture. So now if there are no clearly identified and culturally literate or connected people - where is American popular culture? Moreover, where are the Black people?? We are not so far from the ugliness of jim crow nor enslavement to concede to victory phyric or otherwise. For those who want to abandon the institutions we created from being omitted fine. I have always said that all brown ain’t down and clearly, the remnant is shrinking but at least for those few remaining unapologetic African/Black Americans - la luta continua – with a print or virtual source of Black news -- 105/114 or 5 HBCU's there will always be a Black voice whose desire will be to locate and circulate Black news/information as central and not peripheral to the “global” community. | ||
| Yvettep AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Yvettep Post Number: 3658 Registered: 01-2005 Rating: N/A |
Soul_Sister I am confused. How is the decision to sell Ebony an example of "forgetting the past" or "abandonning our institutions"? The Johnson Publishing Company was a business, not a non-profit, and its owners are making an informed decision in a new business climate. BTW, I began as a journalism major and that is still a passion of mine. I do not at all consider it a relic. But to stay afloat, all print publishers will have to stay ahead of the trends instead of falling victim to them. | ||
| Carey AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Carey Post Number: 2262 Registered: 05-2004 Rating: N/A |
If I can sit in with two of my most favorite postees, I would be honored. Am not saying that to suck up, am saying that because it's a fact. Hi Soul_Sister, still love that name. From what I gather from Soul_Sister's post is that to her, Ebony was more than a business. It's obvious she loves being black, and although Ebony has gone through many transformations, it was, in essence, a key representation of our culture. I believe her post was not totally about Ebony. Sure, there can be numerous arguments concerning Ebony's current state of affairs, and reasons why, but her last paragraph told me what was on her mind. I am sure Soul_Sister knows the dynamics behind Ebony's "fall", consequently, that's why, after reading her whole post, I believe it was like a person that desires their coffee straight - no cream, no sugar. | ||
| Cynique "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Cynique Post Number: 14139 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: N/A |
Blackness is visible on all levels of society and society is in a state of flux. When change occurs, it affects everybody. Although the print media may become obsolete, the dispensing of news and information will never disappear; it will simply evolve into another form. Just because Ebony disappears doesn't mean that the black presence will become invisible. It will instead become manifested in whatever replaces magazines as a form of communication. One reason the uniquess of being black will remain is because underclass Blacks are reproducing like crazy, and the task should be not to fixate on the demise of Ebony but to get this population to become productive members of society, as opposed to killing each other off... History is what preserves the past, but it is a romanticized notion to want to live in the past. Time marches on. Black people can cherish their ancestral heritage but they have to focus on what is current in the present. It is possible to swim in the mainstream without drowning the black mystique that distinguishes you from the other ethnicities that make up America. IMO. | ||
| Carey AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Carey Post Number: 2263 Registered: 05-2004 Rating: N/A |
"One reason the uniquess of being black will remain is because underclass Blacks are reproducing like crazy, and the task should be not to fixate on the demise of Ebony but to get this population to become productive members of society, as opposed to killing each other off..." I don't want to flip this thread and move away from the flow of the original topic and therefore,I think that statement deserves a separate thread. Really, that statement is begging for a discussion but not here. | ||
| Cynique "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Cynique Post Number: 14141 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: N/A |
No, you don't want to "flip", Carey. YOU want to control and be the the self-appointed moderator, as usual, deciding when and what can be said on a thread and by whom. Puleeze. You really have a probably with the idea of this being an open forum, don't you? My statement was injected into this discussion because Soul Sister already elaborated on the subject of blackness by expressing her dismay over what the future held for it. Yvette and I both noted that Ebony's faltering fortunes are a sign of the times and not unique to the black media so any discussion about the survival of blackness would obviously have to be expanded. Except for people like you who have a one track mind, it is never irrelevant to mention black-on-black crime when contemplating what looms on the horizon for black people. | ||
| Carey AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Carey Post Number: 2264 Registered: 05-2004 Rating: N/A |
"Ebony ain't what it used to be" - original topic "underclass Blacks are reproducing like crazy" - Cynique | ||
| Cynique "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Cynique Post Number: 14142 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: |
You took my statement out of context - just like you felt that you had to explain and interpret what Soul Sister had to say, when her words spoke for themself. But whatever the case, YOU don't make the rules. Nobody has to adhere to the way Carey wants things to run. This is not your personal blog. Threads on this board are frequently a tapestry of ideas about a lot of different subjects from posters who just jump in. That's what makes things interesting and organic and spontaneous and live. But, noooo, Carey wants to crack the whip, and have everybody to be under his direction and go along with his dull agenda. Watta jerk. I will continue to say whatever I want to say wherever I want to say it, whenever I want to say it. And I will defend anyone else who dares to do this. And if you don't like it, Big Brother, then you can take a long walk off a short pier. | ||
| Yvettep AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Yvettep Post Number: 3659 Registered: 01-2005 Rating: N/A |
Carey, I followed what Soul_Sister was saying--except for the implication that the sale of Ebony was indicative of the ills she detailed. Which was why I asked the question. I fully understand that for many of us Ebony/Jet is part of our heritage and we feel some ownership of it and thus feel a loss at the thought that it may soon no longer be in Black hands. As for the direction of the discussion, you know good and well that threads here on T'sC frequently veer onto different paths. In fact, you yourself have posted some (I thought) very funny threads pointing out just this tendency. I am riding with Cynique on this one: You want someone to boss around go get your grandkid to babysit for a while! LOL @Troy: Sexist though it my be, if Jet drops the "beauty of the week" so goes my subscription. First of all, brother, I am impressed that you even still have a subscription to Jet.  Second of all, though, I have heard the opposite from others. Mostly Black women have said that the "beaity of the week" is one reason they would never have a subscription, buy or even read the magazine. Why do you feel it is still a worthwhile feature in current times? | ||
| Carey AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Carey Post Number: 2265 Registered: 05-2004 Rating: N/A |
OH NO, now my hands are tied. My grandchildren don't listen to me any more than you guys. In fact, I can't catch them, and they know that. But see, I can bribe them, but in here am left with nothing but my pen. But thanks for reminding me ...."last week in Thumper's Corner was filled with ups and downs. Crazy underclass black folks were making babies. So says ......." You can read about it in Ebony. | ||
| Soul_sister Veteran Poster Username: Soul_sister Post Number: 105 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: N/A |
Carey -- much love for understanding my rambling thoughts on this issue - which you clearly understand is BIGGER than simply the potential sale of another publication. Yvettep - I must admit that my musings are rambling in part from discussions I have had on the demise of HBCU's as well as the depravity of BET and other shocking changes to cultural institutions - never mind museums and historic homes. In brief, I understand the commerical nature of print media - remember Essence has gone through a series of changes - thus I no longer subscribe. However, American Legacy and Heart and Soul are hot to me and everyone should have a subscription - for those who sully their hands with paper and ink - smile. Clearly, the landscape has changed and being black - is no longer a social monolith. We are free to express our differences openly and without stigma or shame - as earlier generations encountered. I suppose my lingering thought is simply this - once we have dissolved the idea of social unity/homogeniety of mind - publically at least. Who or what will speak to/for the issues that Black people face? All of us are not educated, all of us are not American born, all of us are not politically active/aware. There has never been an all of us in anything - except enslavement and jim crow and there were exceptions during that time. I guess, I am a nostalgic/romantic. I would have loved to live during the 1940s - alas it was not meant to be. What bothers me is the selfishness of this age and the compartmentalization of people and ideas. Where is the milk of humankindness, where are Black people at? On the root? watching BET? I have found like minded people on AALBC - for over 10 years - WOW I cannot believe it has been that long - Kudos Troy Nevertheless, where and who are those Black people?? Me - I am in a circular, cynical, confusing - and mildly frustrated state of mind. Believe me I am working on finding a language to express this inner turmoil -- til then - Carey - knows and he feels me -- peace Soul Sister ps - I did not read all of the posts this has been a hectic week - conference season | ||
| Carey AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Carey Post Number: 2266 Registered: 05-2004 Rating: N/A |
Cynique, were you taking notes? Wasn't Soul_Sister's posts refreshing? They were not filled with the omnipresent scattered thoughts of some postees. They were not filled with porous opinions and ubiguitous hatred, that some would classify as "interesting and organic and spontaneous", in a lame attempt to gather birds of a simular feather. Some folks like confusion. They like to yell "FIRE". It enables them to rationalize their character flaws. They don't have to be responsible for their words or lack of direction because ..."heck, everybody else was jumping out windows. It was a spontaneous reaction". Some people make ridiculous statements like ...."One reason the uniquess of being black will remain is because underclass Blacks are reproducing like crazy" ....which leaves a person to wonder if the postee has lost their mind. Or were they posting it because they knew it was an insane remark, and thus, their hope was to inspire conversation? Yet, they could have simply wanted it to be filed under "interesting". It surely is not dull, but it reeks of ...... | ||
| Carey AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Carey Post Number: 2267 Registered: 05-2004 Rating: N/A |
Cynique, were you taking notes? Wasn't Soul_Sister's posts refreshing? They were not filled with the omnipresent scattered thoughts of some postees. They were not filled with porous opinions and ubiguitous hatred, that some would classify as "interesting and organic and spontaneous", in a lame attempt to gather birds of a simular feather. Some folks like confusion. They like to yell "FIRE". It enables them to rationalize their character flaws. They don't have to be responsible for their words or lack of direction because ..."heck, everybody else was jumping out windows. It was a spontaneous reaction". Some people make ridiculous statements like ...."One reason the uniquess of being black will remain is because underclass Blacks are reproducing like crazy" ....which leaves a person to wonder if the postee has lost their mind. Or were they posting it because they knew it was an insane remark, and thus, their hope was to inspire conversation? Yet, they could have simply wanted it to be filed under "interesting". It surely is not dull, but it reeks of ...... | ||
| Carey AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Carey Post Number: 2268 Registered: 05-2004 Rating: N/A |
***Double Mint - Double Mint- Double Mint Yum *** | ||
| Yvettep AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Yvettep Post Number: 3661 Registered: 01-2005 Rating: N/A |
Soul_Sister, I totally understand where you are coming from. In my view, however, "Black Unity" (to the extent that it does or used to exist or will exist in the future) is a double-edged sword. It can make us feel as if we are something bigger. It can make us feel protected and nurtured. It can connect us to a sense of history and be the nurturing ground for our future. It has also meant other things. It has meant that some Black voices have had to be silent for the sake of the "team." The voices of Black women; the voices of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Black people; the voices of Black people who like rock music instead of R&B, or sushi instead of soul food; the Black people who are not Christians; the voices of any Black people who had any idea, notion, experience, or anything else deemed by some other Blacks as being "non-authentic." All too often when I hear calls for "Black unity" I do not hear how these multiple voices will be included in this unity. I hear some of the calls for the way things used to be for Black folks with the same critical ear that I hear calls from White conservatives for the way things used to be. I am skeptical, because too often we only see the positives of the "good old days" and even then we do not acknowledge how those days were not so good from the perspective of other folks. (And sometimes, not even that good for ourselves.) There is a whole generation of some Black kids who have been disconnected to the good things about racial/ethnic singleness of purpose, shared history, and mutual support. It is critical for us to correct those errors as quickly as possible. But those efforts cannot be based on old models of uplift: We have to figure out new ways to meet these challenges. | ||
| Cynique "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Cynique Post Number: 14143 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: N/A |
You'll just have to pee on yourself, Carey, and mope about how I have committed the cardinal sin of commenting on a post that is put out there for only certain people, and by doing this I am high-jacking the thread and blah, blah, blah, woo, woo, woo, but as you well know, I don't care what offends you. Hopefully, Yvette will offer her thoughts and balance things out. I will have my say about what Soul Sister, herself, acknowledges is not just about the demise of a magazine, even if she is too kind in giving Carey credit for understanding this. (BTW, I wasn't aware that HBCUs were becoming obsolete. I thought they were making a come-back. I know the overwhelmingly-white Big 10 schools have been trying to lure back the black students who have deserted them. But, whatever.) In her eloquent lament, Soul Sister refers to herself as "cynical". If she was cynical, she would simply snort and conclude that things "are what they are". What she is, is disillusioned because she looks for things she wants to see, and when the randomness of life doesn't coalesce into her idealistic view, it understandably saddens her. She fantasizes about the 40s which, from my recollections was typiclly a time of hardship for black folks who, in the true spirit of making lemonade out of lemons, made caviar out of chitlins in order to extract a few good times from a life of restrictions. But things cannot remain in limbo. Time brings change and, in the case of black people, change resulted in improvements although not perfection. Racism, however, is constant and is, ironically, what preserves blackness and inspires unity among its victims. The world in general is in a deplorable state; The "milk of human kindness" has curdled among all cultures. Looking for spokesmen to step up and speak for the great unwashed black masses is a romantic idea that died with MLK. Defining what the "issues are that black people are facing" is a mind-boggling task that would require dictating to each black person what would serve their best interests. If America was Utopia, maybe all of these problems could be solved but the good ol USA is more like bad ol Babylon. All that remains is to apply the "each one teach one" discipline, and a child's first teacher should always be its parents. It all begins in the home. An epidemic of family values would be a good virus; once the 2 parent family re-emerges everything else could be cured. That, of course, is my impossible dream because -young black singles are "reproducing like crazy". To Soul Sister, I would say that unless she spreads herself around and gives others the benefits of her assests and aspirations, she is a part of the problem, not the solution. But if she is not motivated to do this, I will certainly understand. | ||
| Cynique "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Cynique Post Number: 14144 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: N/A |
Still laughing at Carey wallowing in the idea that Soul Sister's post vindicated him. He remains inured in the delusion that what he prefers is what is preferable. He cannot process the reality that he is boring and silly and narrow-minded. The world according Carey is flat and unexplored. Watta clod.  | ||
| Carey AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Carey Post Number: 2270 Registered: 05-2004 Rating: N/A |
AGAIN! Without question this conversation has shifted to a platform that Soul_sister DID NOT build! Aside from the usual disrespectful low-ball slash and cut technique used by one postee, there seems to be an argument/debate against a point that Soul_Sister did not even state. There seems to be a rampant dislike of personalities, that spoils the abilty to have a discussion based on facts. It goes without question that Soul_Sister is fully aware of the ills of the past. She chose (in this post) not to focus on that. Yet others wish to bind themselves in problems without solutions, or solutions that mimic trite "sayings". Some seem more comfortable speaking about the ills of life as apposed to balancing their retoric with the favorable qualities of life. (similar to the Obama theme) You'll hear them, there's no joy in their verbiage, and all they hear is what they are looking for - negative mess. Their spirit is sour and they would die to have you come with them - RUN! | ||
| Yvettep AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Yvettep Post Number: 3662 Registered: 01-2005 Rating: N/A |
there seems to be an argument/debate against a point that Soul_Sister did not even state. Which is what, exactly? As you yourself pointed out, the topic of this thread is "Ebony Ain't What It Used to Be" and one of the articles linked to in the initial post was about the probable impending sale of all or parts of the Johnson Publishing Company. My point has been that this fact does not reflect on some sort of disintegration of Black unity. Instead, IMO this is a reflection of current business times--specifically the magazine and newspaper industry as a whole in light of large scale technological changes and economic downturn. | ||
| Yvettep AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Yvettep Post Number: 3664 Registered: 01-2005 Rating: N/A |
One more thing, Carey. I get the feeling you think Soul_Sister is being attacked here or something. I do not see that in my own or Cynique's post, but perhaps you are seeing something I am not. Certainly anyone who visits T'sC knows that not everyone is going to agree with every post. | ||
| Cynique "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Cynique Post Number: 14145 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: N/A |
That's YOUR take, Carey. Your numb skull finds it's virtually impossible to accept the fact that people are free to express their views even if they do knock you out of your comfort zone. If you had your way everybody would just sit back and go along with everything everybody else says, while violins play inthe background. This is a forum for differeng views; it thrives on debate and controversy. But you have taken it upon yourself to try and monitor people. You want this board to be your courtroom and you want to constantly raise objections if a cross examination doesn't strike you the right way. Any legitimate response that rankles, you label "negative". Positive to you, is sucking up to what others say. Just because Soul Sister patted you on the head you feel, after you finished wagging your tail and licking her in the face, that you are empowered to snarl at anybody who responded to what she said, defending her as if she can't defend herself. It's amazing that somebody as idiotic as you has a God-complex, convinced that you are entitled to make this forum over in your image. You're full of shyt and what you really are is a Paula Abdul clone. And since you have such a problem with people who don't humor others, I designate you to be the chief azz-licker, the one who stoops down and grovels, making sure nobody is stung by something that might expose their thin skins. But just to keep you from crappin on yourself, I will commend Yvette on her excellent post. She delivered! She exhibited clarity of expression and dealt with reality! Now, go on back to gnawing on your bone of contention, you flea-bitten ol mutt.  | ||
| Carey AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Carey Post Number: 2271 Registered: 05-2004 Rating: N/A |
Yvettep, you are correct, I did feel as if the discussions had moved from feedback to attack. Of course it may have been wrong of me to throw a blanket over all the posts that addressed Soul_Sister's, or not identifying a particular part of an individual post that I thought was unwarranted, and I apoligize for that. Despite how another postee wishes to frame my displeasure over the current events, my 10 year relationship with Soul_Sister, treasured as it may be, had little to do with my bone of contention on the direction I thought this thread was traveling. Nor did it have anything to do with her telling me that she appreciated the fact that I understood her post. I just felt that some postees have a tendency to resort to vile name calling attacks, in which some postees do not deserve. A humorous tit for tat is acceptable behavior for some, but there are others that want no part of that game. Some individuals wish to hide behind their mean spirited posts by framing them under "differeng views; that thrives on debate and controversy". Their rude attacks may cause controversy, but it only feeds the souls of those that want to play that game. Many don't want to be invited to that kind of party. In this case, Soul_Sister has been coming to this spot for 10 years and her present post count is only around 100. It's my opinion that she was due more respect than what was given her by a fellow postee. She drops by and gives of herself without the intent of causing mess. Sure, she can defend herself but it wasn't about that, and I know she may heed on the side of caution and apply the concept of "you can beat a fool half to death but they will remain a fool". So, what would be the purpose of her coming back and slapping an old bitter fool. Some of the fool's spirit may splash on her. I don't have a problem with "people who don't humor others". | ||
| Soul_sister Veteran Poster Username: Soul_sister Post Number: 106 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: |
Carey, "smooches" You have been a tried and true brother the entire time of my being on the board. I must admit that I lurk in the background in light of the caustic comments - albeit witty retorts - from the new jacks who have joined and dominated the board of the last 5-7 years. I must admit that their brutal perspectives are warranted in the forum where ideas are exchanged - but I cannot take to much of the obtusely openess of some minds. There is a need for structure and limits. In a brief review of the posts -- I am not looking for a charismatic personality ala MLK or anyone else. I am holding out for a charismatic generation - where are they. As a Gen-Xer with some modicum of priviledge cannot believe that those who were not "nurtured" in loving and edifying Black communities are disillusioned - at some point in the game - you have to take charge of your life and fill in those gaps missed by an absent lesson on Black history, missing parent or community of color. I appreciate the suggestion of another paradigm -my only question - WHERE IS IT! Im searching and holding onto my favorite yesterday to the utter disgust of some -- this is the Web everyone has an opinion. Thus, everyone should read/subscribe to JET. Oh some women find the beauty of the week offensive - most likely those sisters are tatooed and sporting inky brands on their bosom or base of their spine - expressing their artistic freedom - which I do not want to see - regardless. The double standard against - conservative values from a forgotten and to some unsuccessful yesterday and being replaced by a unstructed sense of "nike" - just do it! As loud and as proud as you want to -- thank you civil rights mvt for making Black children as unbridled as white children - who are now becoming grandparents with little to no control or influence on their progeny - what the heck! Clearly, we are deviated from the intial posting -Troy I apologize - but the American Negro better think twice - before you concede to being American - period. Museums are full of extinct species of being and there is a caption and case awaiting the American Negro - not dressed in gaberdine and such - but carrying a pilates mat and swilling Starbucks. I think there is novel about this somewhere - I know there is protagonist in Ellison's work, Himes and other. Even a DJ spinned a lyric - check your self for your wreck yourself - I did not learn ebonics - my bad Carey - you give me hope in the brother's willing to take a stand for humankindness - press on. | ||
| Cynique "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Cynique Post Number: 14146 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: |
And some posters are so sneaky and cowardly that their attacks take the form of insinuating cheap shots that imply rather than name. But of course, Carey always wants to portray himself as a blameless victim who - suddenly has a degree in psychology! Puleeze. He's a meddling busybody who reads things into situations and thinks he has to run interference for others. How did I disrespect Soul Sister?? I said nothing bad about her. In my concluding remarks, I sympathized with her by saying, I am in the same boat as her because I tend to sit back and do nothing but verbalize. If she was so insulted, why didn't she speak for herself??? Carey just injects himself into situations that are none of his affair. It's hard to resist calling Carey names, because he is such a good candidate for them. He's also very sly in his retaliations, inspite of how he tries to ennoble himself. Whatever.In defiance of Carey's whining, I will continue to do what I do. And one thing I do do, is to give credit where credit is due. There are a lot of people who post here who I find very tolerable and intelligent and witty. I always thought Kola Boof was brilliant - but crazy. As far as Carey is concerned, however, his credit rating wouldn't qualify him for a loan of $10.00 from me. BTW, Obama's approval ratings have gone up, and for this I am glad. I was afraid Americans would lose patiences with him, but they seem to be giving him the benefit of the doubt for now. | ||
| Cynique "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Cynique Post Number: 14150 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: N/A |
No doubt about it. The world is made of all different types of people. There are those who travel in a mental rut, whose thoughts plod along a straight narrow line, straining to see a light at the end of the tunnel. These rigid, linnear thinkers become disoriented and querilous when they are required to diversify their mental focus. These tend to be "anal" types.  Then there are other people who are free thinkers who draw from a multitude of sources when crafting their thoughts, the landscape of their minds consisting of roads that fan out and travel in many directions, their trajectory navigated by their peripheral vision. These tend to be "oral" types.  One difference between these 2 types is that the anals pout when they are challenged to stretch out. The orals, on the other hand, chuckle when they frustrate their anal detractors.  | ||
| Yvettep AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Yvettep Post Number: 3665 Registered: 01-2005 Rating: |
I am holding out for a charismatic generation - where are they. Perhaps they are here now, Soul_Sister. WHo knows how an Obama presidency (as well as other things that have gone on recently and will go on in the near future) will shape the current generation? Can you imagine being part of a generation that does not see anything novel about a Black man as president? We'll just have to see. The thing with talks of "generations" is that they are largely designations of convenience, but also that it is hard to judge until long after the generation has come of age. | ||
| Yvettep AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Yvettep Post Number: 3666 Registered: 01-2005 Rating: N/A |
Carey, I have to admit I am still not seeing any attacks, but to each his/her own. You must realize the futility of chiding another grown folk posting here--particularly a grown folk by the name of Cynique. I can only suppose that you enjoy these interactions and that is why you continue. See--that is why folks have their own blogs. Then they can invoke the old "My House, My Rules" clause. Here at T'sC, however, what rules exist are pretty broad. It's a kind of get-out-of-the-hot-kitchen-if-you-feel-the-need kinda thang. Anyhoo, since that one statement about low-income Blacks and reproduction seems to be the thing that derailed things for you, why don't we start a separate thread on it where you can more clearly voice your (I assume) disagreement? I may do so myself, but my lunch hour (actually, my lunch-25-minutes LOL) is almost over... | ||
| Cynique "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Cynique Post Number: 14153 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: N/A |
Yvette, you are the epitome of the concept of "cooler heads prevailing." You have never failed to be whom I point to when I want to prove that there are, indeed, people who I defer to because of my respect and admiration for their intelligence and integrity. Carey is going bonkers over my statement about young black singles "reproducing like crazy", so pardon me while I parse his rant about me which is a typical gramatically-incorrect example of his misusing and misspelling words in an attempt to impress, but which only contribute to me finding his befuddled remarks more entertaining than insulting. I have highlighted his blunders in the quote below. I don't need to point out the convoluted syntax of his sentences; this is obvious to anybody who appreciates good articulation. "Cynique were you taking notes? Wasn't Soul_Sister's posts refreshing? They were not filled with the omnipresent scattered thoughts of some postees. They were not filled with porous opinions and ubiguitous hatred, that some would classify as "interesting and organic and spontaneous", in a lame attempt to gather birds of a simular feather." Huh? Why doesn't Carey just say: " I like Soul Sister better than Cynique because she's nicer"? Duh. Hummm. Maybe, I'll follow my own advice and simply say: "I have no use for Carey because I find him useless."  | ||
| Carey AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Carey Post Number: 2273 Registered: 05-2004 Rating: N/A |
I've watched many boxing matches with several different types of individuals. It never fails that there's one or 2 punch drunk indiduals debating the woes of the match and,or the decision, long after the event. What I've noticed in that situation, is that one or two of them only saw the punches that they wanted to see. It's sort of like those fools that are crying about socialisism or health care. They only see and hear what they want to hear. Yeah, ditto ...to each his own. Yet, it's interesting we are mentioning what "blogs are for", yet in the same breath talking about chiding grown folks. Also, should we be talking about "rules". I doubt we should do that in this same breath? I do not know if it's wise to talk about rules when your very words are impling certain rules. If you've noticed the core of one posters compliant, they are filled with grammar issues. I'd like dealing with facts. If a person yells run theif, 9 times out of 10, the theif only runs faster. Look, bottom line, all the things I may have expressed about my displeasures of the debating/arguing skills of others, I've committed- okay. I'll be the first to raise my hand to say I've been silly, boring,mean, childish, etc, but that's not to say I can't hold onto some of my ol'skool beliefs and admit when I am wrong. Unlike some that wish to cry and resort to calling other names. One poster has called me 100 different names, and hey, I am cool with that. So, what battle ground are we on? Who sets the rules and what are they? Like someone said, I am cool with the tit for tat, but that DOES NOT mean that I will stand by and let the omnipresent bad spirit, jump on a friend of mine. Now, some will stand on their's and say they didn't see it that way, or that wasn't their intention but every closed eye ain't sleep. If one cares to look at Soul_Sisters last post, she addressed some of the issues in which I found to be a little over the line. They are there, but you have to be looking for them. She was a lady, and therefore hit them soft but hard at the same time. Someone asked for her, and she came back. But noooooo, we are still whipping a old horse. Yep, every closed eye was not sleep. You'll can save the soft sell, or the quite whoopin'. That's dead and has never been alive. Out of respect, I think that slippery slope should be addressed in e-mails. Is this becoming "Monkey See-Monkey Do" or "Don't Do Like I Do"???? Look at Spot. Look at spot run. Look at Carey. Look at Carey's ...... Spare me! We all know what time it is! Well, those that are looking for it, and those that care to express it. Soul_Sister called them New Jacks. Some might express "them" in a different way. I have a name for a few. There are some folks I do not mess with on this board. It's not because they say all the right things (whatever that is?). It's because they do their thangs with folks that give it back to them. I will not mention any names but there are some folks that get it on up in here, and I have no problem with that. But see, they don't mess with me and I give them respect and leave them alone. They do what they do with each other and sometimes it amusing, but again, they have not touched me or a friend of mine. Yawl do what you do, and I'll do the same - Okay. Er'body knows who the wicked witch is around these parts, and er'body ain't feelin' that. Regardless of how some want to frame it, listen real close, they'll be back. NOW, do what you do with that! Backroom, frontroom, or in the alley, I've been somewhere. We are all "ex" something. Some will remain in a bad spot, because they don't believe the problem rests in their lap. Or will never admit they may need to look in their own back yard! Yeah, Ditto. Like me, Love me, or leave me alone. I could give a fat fu*k. Tried and true, this is who I am. This thang is like a toy box sitting in the corner of my house. Along with the army men and toys without batteries, I open the top and look to see what I will play with today. It ain't that serious. | ||
| Yvettep AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Yvettep Post Number: 3669 Registered: 01-2005 Rating: N/A |
Carey, I honestly don't get your meaning above. You seemed in one comment to be accusing me of attacking another poster. As I make every effort to *not* do that, I took issue. And I am not chiding you for chiding Cynique. I guess I would ask you why you get so upset at her when you know she ain't gonna change. (And she'd be the first to tell you that.) So, that is all I was responding to. But this seems to be about more than that. I am still open to being convinced of personal attacks if you want to point that out. But right now I see difference of opinion. I'll leave it at that and move on. | ||
| Yvettep AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Yvettep Post Number: 3670 Registered: 01-2005 Rating: N/A |
Just to be clear--I do not see personal attacks between anyone and Soul_Sister. I do see the interaction between you and Cynique. I decided a long time ago not to put myself in the middle of that kind of thing. | ||
| Cynique "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Cynique Post Number: 14157 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: N/A |
Oh jeeze, Carey. You surely don't expect anybody to read all of that self-serving drivel which undoubtedly amounts to being nothing more than an ode to yourself. I'm sure you are coppin a plea, trying to justify your petulance, and aggrandize your and SoulSister's sterling character as you lay claim to being charter members of a board that you couldn't keep control of because the other 3 or 4 original members of the Mutual Admiration Society drifted away. Like you 2, they apparently posted nothing stimulating enough to attract enough new blood. Puleeze. This is Troy's domain. We are all here by the grace of his tolerance. Stop trying to claim ownership. Just continue to stew in your droning, self-rightousness, comforted by the delusion that you represent truth, justice and the American way. Gimme a break, "Sorry Man".  | ||
| Cynique "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Cynique Post Number: 14158 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: N/A |
It should be obvious to you by now, Yvette, that Carey is a self-absorbed wimp suffering from a persecution complex. (Add that to your list of names, Carey.)  Carey seems to think that because his is too gutless to use names, his snide pot shots that are embedded in phrases absolve him from being guilty of character defamation. Just another example of how warped his mind-set is. | ||
| Carey AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Carey Post Number: 2276 Registered: 05-2004 Rating: N/A |
Lets see, attract new blood ....ummmmm, very interesting. Claim ownership ....ummmm, very interesting. Trust and believe I am not upset, these are just words. I do this on a daily basis. Every day (away from here) I am confronted with different opinions of a negative nature, it's what I do. I am fully aware that I can not change anyones opinion. What's also interesting is whenever I give compliments to others, or when someone comes by and gives me one, there's a voice that says we are sucking up or we are a mutual admiration club. But yet I've yet to hear a voice come back and tell "someone" that they are just what the doctor ordered. I've yet to here a friend come back and standby that "someone". That someone sounds like a jealous envious hater. That someone seems to cringe and dry up like the wicked witch of the west whenever someone gives a compliment to another postee. Poor thang, love is their enemy. I have however heard voices say that "someone" will never change. I've also heard it said that they are a virus that has killed the board. I think it's safe to say that many feel sorry for them, and therefore tolerate them. I think I can pick out several conversations between that individual and 20 others that don't spare their words when they address her. The posts will not lie! They wouldn't give them a drink of water if they killed a dinosaur, because that person would only thank them with a snide remark. That type of person thinks self-discovery is self-rightousnes. They will be back. Listen to their voice of negativity. 14,000 posts of snide bitter negetivity. That's not self-rightousness, that's a lost soul. The sad thang is that they know it and can't do a thang about it. That's what they do and who they are! Raise your hand in the air and studder like you just don't care :-) | ||
| Carey AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Carey Post Number: 2277 Registered: 05-2004 Rating: N/A |
Going to bed now, gotta get up real early. But something just dawned on me. 14,000 posts said "Like you 2, they apparently posted nothing stimulating enough to attract enough new blood" FOURTEEN THOUSAND POSTS! It's apparent that the pot doesn't know it's black. They also have missed a very important message. It's have never been about the names. I mean, they missed something if they thought I cared about being called silly or stupid - not. What they are missing is that they rely on words without substance to mount the basis of their argument. They seldom bring facts to the table. Their spill is generally about what "another person" is thinking. You know, "he thinks this" and "he thinks that". They need to take that skill to a carnival. Yep, I can guess what they are thinking. They, of course, will go broke. They will say it loud, but ..... | ||
| Cynique "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Cynique Post Number: 14164 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: |
Pooooooor ol Carey. He's obsessed with Cynique. He wants to bring her down sooo bad, and he is so consumed by his frustration that he is combing the archives, looking for incriminating evidence to use against the nemesis who he is too intimidated to name. While perusing the archives, wonder if Sherlock Carey read my recent manifesto where I gave my mission statement as that of being a creative nuisance, - a polemic gadabout who challenges people to re-examine their convictions. Unable to take me in his stride, ol Carey stumbles on, determined to "out" me as a paper tiger so he can take a bow and bask in the approval he so desperately needs and craves. Lick your wounds and dream on, you snake in the grass. For somebody who tries to pass himself off as being so perceptive, you'd think Carey could figure out that nobody gives a damn about his grievances. Other posters are eager to discuss something else as they check into different threads on the board. But ol broken down Carey struggles on, determined to prevail and prove how he's the pure and sweet Dorothy, and Cynique is the wicked witch of the North. Yvette tried to talk some sense into him, but he is in such deep denial that he can't recognize how his neurosis has possessed him. He claims that what I say has no substance but my posts enrage him, making his responses so ill-conceived and ineptly expressed that reading them is a chore. Maybe you could work off your frustration by arranging a menage a trois with your 2 favorite huckleberries, Carey. You need a diversion. You're fightin a losing battle. Buh Bye, Back to Stephen Carter. So far so good | ||
| Carey AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Carey Post Number: 2278 Registered: 05-2004 Rating: |
Cleaver ......14,164! FOURTEEN THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED SIXTY FOUR! FOURTEEN THOUSAND!!!! Your business told on you. 14,000! Who needs a manifestola :-) | ||
| Cynique "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Cynique Post Number: 14169 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: N/A |
You supposedly were going to retire early, Carey, but I see you were up at 2:25 in the morning, probably hunched in front of your monitor, drooling at the mouth, breathing hard, bloodshot-eyes glazed over, nose running, eagerly awaiting to get your "fix" from Cynique. I've often mentioned that instead of creating a blog, I share my thoughts with others by posting on this board. Yes, I'm very prolific. This is, perhaps, one reason Troy honored me by bestowing the term "cyniquian" on others who have ascended into the realm of productivity that you and your long-winded posts are so obviously striving for. Thank goodness, you didn't respond with one of those marathon soliloquies littered with what you obliquely label as facts. BTW, where were the facts in Soul Sister's opinionated commentary you were so ecstatic over?  You want a fact? Here's one. The only thing you are good at is co-opting words that I use because you have such a limited vocabulary. But, you at last seem to be at a loss for words, leaving us with a few paltry lines that are a telling testimony to your befuddled mentality. (And don't console yourself by thinking that I issued those stars because I didn't. Don't need to.} |
