Monday Polly: When Keeping It Real Goes Wrong
Monday - March 10, 2008By: CZA
Scrolling through one of my favorite black nationalist websites (some of the views you find here are just that funny when you don't share many of the same beliefs), I came across a blurb about a woman who published a book about her life as a mixed foster child growing up in a gang-infested neighborhood and her trials because of it.
What really caught my attention was the picture that was provided of her-- she appeared as white as any white person I'd ever seen, so I doubled back and re-read her description. Half white, half Native American who ran drugs for the Bloods and carried pistols. I looked at the picture again for a moment before deciding, "Yes, it's about time we talk about this!" And so here we are.
How "real" is real enough?
I've said it before, and I'll say it again: I don't have any problems with someone getting their hustle on for papes. Like B.G. said way back in the day, "Get it how you live." What I have a problem with are people who try to come up blatantly on someone else like this chick, Margaret Seltzer, who came up with a pseudonym of Margaret B. Jones and tried to fictionalize something that is very real like living the lifestyle of a gang member and seeing those close to you get shot and killed.Chick was a wholly Caucasian woman who grew up in a privileged environment who "sat at a Starbucks in south central" getting material for her book. When do we shut the door on those that want to profit on our culture like vultures? I wouldn't have even been upset if she had come across with the truth of the fiction, but in trying to get authenticity, she not only alienated herself from the people she tried to emulate, she got her book pulled. Thank you.
I'm beginning to feel a little like David Banner about forgiveness. We have to stop letting people have free reign with it; if someone wrongs you once and it's minor enough to let slide, do so but never give them the opportunity to do it again. In cases like Dog The Bounty Hunter tossing N-bombs or Don Imus' nappy headed hoe rant, there wasn't enough done for me. Isaiah Washington got dropped from his show for being a little insensitive to the gay community, but Dog gets back on the air? Imus gets another show? KKKramer, well, he was wack as hell anyway. ("Seinfeld" was the driest show ever. Yes, even more so than "Frasier.")
In conclusion, as much controversy as ole girl's book caused, she'll be back on in a minute. The media is always forgiving like that. I'm keeping it short this week because I've got a surprise for y'all next week, and I guarantee you'll thank me for it so until then I'm ghostin'!
GO BACK TO SITE