When you see someone of your race (or gender) on television with no teeth (or a tooth every now and then), in a tattered bathrobe (or spray-on clothing), with rollers in their hair (or a comb-over) cutting up in front of the camera, do you cringe?
Do they really represent your race or gender?
Who do you represent?
Yourself? Your family? Your parents? Your children? Your spouse? Your gender? Your race? The military? Your job? Christians? Your church? Your fraternity? Your friends?
When you go out and act up, who other than you gets a bad rap?
If you don't believe you represent anyone but yourself does that make it a fact?
It's always embarrassing to see people of any race in dissarray. I don't like for people of color to look a hot mess on tv because tv is all some other races see of us and in that way the representation of people of color is distorted and stereotyped into an "all of them are like that" situation.
ReplyDeleteI represent myself that's a fact. Other's may look at me and regard me as "representing" a particular race or culture. I can't control that. I would like them to regard me as an individual.
ReplyDeleteYes, of course I relate to people with a "common culture" as I have, we may feel a bond in this regard and I love that. But, when it comes to living my life, taking responsibility and credit for my actions- don't blame or credit my race, lay it on me.
I forgot to ask you the first time around.
ReplyDeleteDo YOU represent??
I think based on your bio "About Me" you mention that you are a "Black female,"" that should answer my question?
I've never thought of adding to my bio, I'm a "x" female. Just wondering your formal position on this.
Shirley
Everyone represents. The question is what are they showing? Doo rag wearing, jheri curl juice drippin, gold teef havin bruhs represent something or someone. It's just not me.
ReplyDeleteI am a black man who, in my own humble opinion, represents very well. I represent my culture, my family, my company and my job. My church, my age bracket, socio-economic level and any other genre that seems fitting for the moment. But in certain communities, I may be considered a sell-out because I wear a suit to work; or because I have a college degree. My oldest child may get talked about because he doesn't know the latest dance craze or hip hop lyrics. This is my fault, because I have "sheltered" him. This too, would cause me to not be a proper representation in some communities.
I guess I think about it a little differently. I don't put any concern into my representation, but in my example. As long as, by example, I am putting my best foot forward, then my representation will be good as well.
If someone had a problem with who I represent when I know I have but forth my best example, then I would share with them the words of the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan.
"Every time you point the finger at me, there are three more fingers pointing back at you. Take a good introspective look before you speak."