Hey! I'm Black and in America, too...

I just want to start off by thanking Soledad O'Brian and producers for their wonderful work on the Black in America special.

I feel like for the first time, Americans where finally able to see the diversity of Black people, and the different types of Black people in America, and not just one side--the stereotypical one we always see in movies and on the news.

The title of this post is a reaction. It's a reaction to some of the negative stereotypes out there that I have to deal with day to day being a Black person.

Exploring the behind the scenes footage of this production, I was surprised to find that the senior executive producer was a White man. Now this was interesting...
If your reading this right now, and wondering what the---? Then, you need to check out this video:


I'm just so happy that some media (and CNN!!) finally captured the middle-class Black Americans that people oustide our race hardly ever get to see. Or maybe they do see us in their neighborhoods or in their shopping centers, but choose to cling to a certain stereotype they see on TV about us instead of realizing that there are different Black people just like there are different groups of any other race. We're not the same.



But thanks to this documentary, perhaps people can realize that, "Hey! I'm Black and in America, too...just because i don't behave "Black" in certain areas doesn't mean i'm not. And what does behaving 'Black' really mean anyway? Why can't I just behave American?

Poor boy at Wakefield High...

This was an interesting, but terribly sad story I read today about a boy who came out as gay in the sixth grade, and continues to be ridiculed even now as he's 15 years old. I encourage you to read it; it really moved me.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/13/AR2008071302066.html


However, my jaw dropped after reading this statement made by the principle at his school that I read in the article:

Doris Jackson, the principal of Wakefield, said the
school does not tolerate bullying for any reason. "To me, it's more than having
a policy and enforcing it. It's establishing an environment of tolerance of
everyone," she said, adding that the school even provides a separate restroom
for a transgender student so the person is not forced to use the girl's room or
boy's room. "When we say we are very diverse, people think racially. But we are
diverse racially, culturally, [by] sexual orientation and socio-economic level.
Being gay here doesn't set you apart. You're just another kid with something
about you that is unique."

I was taken back by her mentioning a separate restroom for transgenders. My first thought was, "Woa, what if this didn't happen in just high schools across the nation, but in other public facilities as well? Will there be designated transgender restrooms?"

If so, what would they look like? (I dare not to go there...lol)


My second though was, "What in the world would a high school need with a separate restroom for transgendered CHILDREN?!" This means there must be some kids who are transgenered in that high school for her to even make a statement like that, and open up that can of worms.

Do the parents know about this?

AND

Doesn't that open up room for that kid to be ridiculed if he or she is "transgenered"? Other kids will see them go into that restroom. Yeah, then they wouldn't have to choose (b/t men or women), but wouldn't that sort of outcast them?

Futbol!!

Yesterday was the begining of the World Cup finals for Europe. Fortunately, i´m in Spain so I experienced the joy of victory from them yesterday night. People were literally yelling in the street, "España!!!" It was absolutely nuts...this was after 11 p.m. After Spain won in overtime, or as they say in a shoot out with Italy. I watched part of the game in an ice cream parlor along a main tourist strip after i was unsucessful in making it into Flehrty´s, another bar in which peoeple were packed in like sardeens. I couldn´t even see the TV, or breath for that matter so i left. Of course the ice cream parlor was nice & cool (I needed something cold from that heat kitchen, lol). I was waiting to meet someone to, but I actally ended up getting into the game, it was so intense. Every bar everywhere in the city that had a t.v. was packed. And the streets were packed afterward with people celebrating their victory.

cHiCa EsPaÑola

Hola!
Estoy en España-I realize that i have not written since i´ve been here. I will be heading on this Friday (back to the good ol "U-S of A")! I´ve loved this place since i´ve been here...many many differences. But different isn´t always bad. I have yet to upload all 800 of my photos still. As you see, this could take a while to organize...lol. Promise I will get on the ball as soon as i´m back. I just wanted to write at least one entry since í´ve been here....
Also, last weekend I went to one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Of course you would never believe me unless I uploaded these pics!
Theses are from Lagos, Portugal. The most relaxing three days i´ve experienced this year...

this Kid is nuts

I cannot believe this kid just bitch slapped his mom! This aired on Dr. Phil...it´s kind of funny, but bad at the same time. If I hit my momma like that, I would not be here today. Yeah, but I advise watching it without sound first

If you like random stupid things, then this is halarious!!

I'm so glad finals are over! Now i'm going to watch the Tyra show...

Yeah, just got my braces tightened the other day, too!

Like you care...

No sarcasm intended.

(Gotta read the fine print, baby.)

'dem mighty greenbacks dun struck back again

So...the financial aid department at my school is officially a HOT MESS! They're giving me a hard time--what's new? I've been trying to get aid for my study abroad trip for the longest, and the process just got longer. Yay! (: I) What I don't understand is how the FAFSA keeps insisting that my parents can contribute a certain amount that they really cannot. And I don't understand why I don't have any other options except scholarships or to make my parents accept a loan. If I don't want my parents to pay, then why can't I just opt out of this and get a loan in my name? It's my debt!


Anyways, I'm so excited about my trip to Spain! And it looks like I might also get to go on an excursion to Morocco--Woot Woot! So, I got the email about this trip from the study abroad people, read it... 'Cool', I said, but "where is it again?" Yeah, so I posted a map for people like me. It's ok to admit it, you don't really know everything! lol. Now that I know where it is, I'm definitely siked. I've always wanted to go to Africa!


Check out this pic:

So, this is a picture of a belly dancer in Morocco that I found off of their tourism website. Looks fun, but I'm not really sure what the guy in the background is doing...it just don't look right! lol
If they offer belly dancing classes there, I will be the first one on the list!