This weeks DoucheBag of the week award

This is why I have a problem with organized “Religion”. This clown spews this caustic sh*t in the name of God and prays, yes prays, every night for President Obama to get brain cancer and die like Ted Kennedy. This same Pastor Douchebag was allegedly tasered by Border Patrol Agents not to long ago. Look it up. He claims for no reason, but I think he is an extremist who looks for his 15 minutes by agitating others into reacting. Sort of what I’m doing here but with words instead of threats. Shame on me for responding to this guy but it deserves some kind of mention.

Now we know where that other Douchebag gets his information propaganda.

This is America and you’re entitled to your opinion so I don’t feel that he should be censored. What I say is ,if you are such a bad ass and want to say these things then realize there are people who are in disagreement with you and they might react in a way you did not consider.

This man is one of those “tough” guys, who when confronted suddenly lose their courage and want to debate you, in a nice way though.

To bring up an old saying- ” Don’t let your mouth write a check your ass can’t cash”.

Pretty for a ……….

I came across something while surfing the web. It had to deal with Tameka Foster and Aisha Curry. While I found it very interesting on whether plagiarism was perpetrated, the subject matter was engaging. I have to say it made me wonder was/is it common for people to make that statement.

It reminded me of an incident many years ago when I first came on my job. My then girlfriend came by for a visit and while doing so met my immediate supervisor, who said later, “she’s a pretty black girl”. At the time I didn’t think much about that statement but as time went on I started to think what the f*ck was that supposed to mean?

I didn’t have the stones to confront him at the time, but the words resonate with me to this day. Although the guy was otherwise great, whenever I see him it’s one of the first things that come to mind.

Anytime someone is on the receiving end of a stupid statement like that, angst starts to grow. You start wondering about the context of it and doubt creeps in. If there’s ever a way to make a bad first impression this is one of them. The attempt at a “compliment” will surely backfire. Racial and Ethnic stereotypes abound.

But, I want to caution you on jumping on the Racist White People bandwagon and start thinking about some of the things you have heard from family, friends or said yourself.

For myself, it reminded me of all the times I’ve heard or said something similar. The only difference is where it says black; insert white, yellow or any other nationality and/or ethnic group you can think of.

We’re tribal by nature and whenever we see or meet someone unlike ourselves, we fall back on our own biases and things buried deep within ourselves. Some of which we deny or do not realize are there. Think about it, how many times have you inserted a racial or ethnic description into a statement and didn’t even realize it unless someone else said something?

By no means am I justifying any racial/ethnic remarks, just reminding people the first step to stopping it is to check yourself. Do not act indignant when you know you do it yourself. I guess until we look in the mirror and realize we are just as guilty and judgmental as others, nothing will change.

“I’ve never seen a smiling face that was not beautiful”. ~Author Unknown

The “N” word

Ah.. the “N” word.

Controversial, derogatory, derisive, “urban” vernacular ?

While playing tennis one sunny afternoon last week.I was enjoying one those 100 days New England experiences during the  Summer solstice. Me and a friend were trading volleys and razzing each other. Not keeping score, but more of a practice session.Working up a good sweat and trying new strokes on each other.

Now this particular court consists of 4 separate playing surfaces contained within a fenced enclosure. We were on the far left, and in order, were the following- a couple of young kids, their parents, and finally another couple. All having a good time and mindful of each other. Stray balls were returned, your welcomes received with a smile. The day was beautiful.

Adjacent to the Tennis courts is a basketball court.

A late model car pulled in the lot and deposited a small group of males (teenagers to be exact), who obviously were here to enjoy a quick pick-up game. Clad in the latest gear all were smiles as they entered the court.

Much to my chagrin and to the other ball strikers apprehension, the “N” word reared its ugly head and rolled off the tongue of these young adults like water over Niagra Falls.” “N” pass the ball”, “”N” I’m open”, and several other uses for it were shouted with no abandonment. In the space of 10 minutes it must have been shouted two dozen times at increasingly louder decibels.

Before you knew it, the other players packed their bags and got out of Dodge…….

Watching these people who were enjoying themselves minutes earlier, flee the scene like escaped convicts, brought a knot to my stomach and a rapid decline in my mood. Without a word said and with hanging heads, we packed up our gear and joined the exodus.

“Term of endearment”, is what some would call it.

“We can use it, but you can’t” is another excuse.

For me, it does not matter. The history of it alone should preclude people from using it. Taking a word that was/is used to debase black people and claiming it as your own is nothing more than ignorance.

Increase your vocabulary and find something else to call yourself.