Ok, maybe it’s me?
I just read a http://www.allhiphop.com/ article about the recent John Mayer interview. The author of the article, Illseed, normally pens rumors. I just thought I should mention that as a preface. Now I’d be lying if I said I never read his articles and as most of you should know I’m a fan of John Mayer’s music, so I am going to attempt to eliminate any biases in this…blog. Please feel free to check the article out @ http://allhiphop.com/stories/rumors/archive/2010/02/11/22121316.aspx.
Now, I’m a pretty liberal guy who has friends of various different cultural backgrounds. I was born on the Westside of Atlanta and moved to the suburbs as an early teenager. When I started school there I had preconceived notions about “white people”. Coming from the inner city I had only seen “white folks” as teachers or some sort of authority figure not as a peer, which also skewed my views. After being exposed to not only “whites” but “black folks that act white”, Hispanics, Asians, and a host of other people from different cultural backgrounds…I realized we were more alike than different.
This upbringing has brought me to the conclusion that the notion of ‘race’ is a mindset not a reality. Now before people get their panties in a bunch saying I’m out of touch this is what I mean about the prior statement. Race is a divisional mechanism, you say Jim is “white” and Joe is “black” to separate them. As people Jim and Joe may have the same beliefs and values but we as a culture find the need to somehow separate them.
Ultimately one’s race does not define them, their culture and upbringing does. I use to date a Laos (Asian) chick, who was raised in a low income neighborhood in Richmond, California (the Bay). To the untrained eye, one may see her and assume she is trying to “act black” but here’s the thing…that’s how she grew up. Her family was not a wealthy or well off Asian family. North Richmond was and still is polluted with crime and influences that can lead to negative experiences. These experiences shape people’s personality. One can’t be born with their complete personality, certain traits sure, but not a full fledge personality. Think about this, a Hispanic child can be born and taught English and not be able to speak a drop of Spanish because this is what they are taught and what they experience.
I said that to say this, as people let’s not get caught up in the minute details. Creatures of lower intelligence refer only to visual characteristics to define things. Let’s be a little more aware yall. And I still f*ck with John Mayer…his belief on a hood pass is accurate and as far as who one is interested that’s their prerogative. LOL “I mean if you’re gay that’s cool, I got gay friends that f*ck guys….in jail.” I love all people despite your preferences as long as you are not divisive.
I just read a http://www.allhiphop.com/ article about the recent John Mayer interview. The author of the article, Illseed, normally pens rumors. I just thought I should mention that as a preface. Now I’d be lying if I said I never read his articles and as most of you should know I’m a fan of John Mayer’s music, so I am going to attempt to eliminate any biases in this…blog. Please feel free to check the article out @ http://allhiphop.com/stories/rumors/archive/2010/02/11/22121316.aspx.
Now, I’m a pretty liberal guy who has friends of various different cultural backgrounds. I was born on the Westside of Atlanta and moved to the suburbs as an early teenager. When I started school there I had preconceived notions about “white people”. Coming from the inner city I had only seen “white folks” as teachers or some sort of authority figure not as a peer, which also skewed my views. After being exposed to not only “whites” but “black folks that act white”, Hispanics, Asians, and a host of other people from different cultural backgrounds…I realized we were more alike than different.
This upbringing has brought me to the conclusion that the notion of ‘race’ is a mindset not a reality. Now before people get their panties in a bunch saying I’m out of touch this is what I mean about the prior statement. Race is a divisional mechanism, you say Jim is “white” and Joe is “black” to separate them. As people Jim and Joe may have the same beliefs and values but we as a culture find the need to somehow separate them.
Ultimately one’s race does not define them, their culture and upbringing does. I use to date a Laos (Asian) chick, who was raised in a low income neighborhood in Richmond, California (the Bay). To the untrained eye, one may see her and assume she is trying to “act black” but here’s the thing…that’s how she grew up. Her family was not a wealthy or well off Asian family. North Richmond was and still is polluted with crime and influences that can lead to negative experiences. These experiences shape people’s personality. One can’t be born with their complete personality, certain traits sure, but not a full fledge personality. Think about this, a Hispanic child can be born and taught English and not be able to speak a drop of Spanish because this is what they are taught and what they experience.
I said that to say this, as people let’s not get caught up in the minute details. Creatures of lower intelligence refer only to visual characteristics to define things. Let’s be a little more aware yall. And I still f*ck with John Mayer…his belief on a hood pass is accurate and as far as who one is interested that’s their prerogative. LOL “I mean if you’re gay that’s cool, I got gay friends that f*ck guys….in jail.” I love all people despite your preferences as long as you are not divisive.
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