When I wrote this post “Stuff White People Like”, I had planned to do one about Black people too. Well that time has come so here it is. These are the 10 things that first came to mind, which are based on my observations and experiences. They are in no particular order of relevance or importance.
1. A White Jesus
You ever go into a Black persons home and the first thing that meets your eye as you enter is a picture of a white hippie looking, blond hair and blue eyed Jesus!? The one that really get’s me is the picture with the “sacred heart” on the outside of his chest. In previous times, I would ask the host (usually a family member): “who is the white hippie dude in the photo? Is he family!?” They would look at the photo and I could tell that the wheels in their mind would start to turn… then they would look at me long and hard, like they couldn’t believe I wasn’t struck dead (and probably silently praying that I would be), then and there by lightening! If you close your eyes and think about Jesus and the above image comes to mind, then read this and you may also want to read this book.
2. Barack Obama
On the flip side of worshipping a white Jesus, Black folks all over the world worship Barack Obama as the “Black Messiah”. I swear that when they see him, ole negro spirituals starts playing in their heads! He can do no wrong in their eyes. He is Moses and Jesus all rolled up into one, sent by the Almighty to bring them into the new heaven and the new earth. The post-racial promise land that is America.
3. Hating on Tavis Smiley
Ever since Tavis Smiley called on then presidential candidate Barack Obama to be accountable to the Black American electorate, he has caught hell from that community (see here). I recently read a post where the author referred to Tavis as a “self promoting race hustler”. “A self promoting race hustler!?” Rev. Al Sharpton and Rev. Jesse Jackson… maybe. Tim Wise and Soledad O’Brien… for sure. But Tavis!? I guess if you criticize or question the Black Messiah and don’t get struck by lightening, then the true believers are obligated to demonize you.
4. Swagga
I like this definition of Swagga from the urban dictionary: “one’s own unique style or personality that sets them apart from anyone else.” There is no doubt that we are the leaders and trendsetters… worldwide… when it comes to the originality and uniqueness of style. From the Caribbean to Africa… from the Americas to Europe… whether it’s in popular culture, fashion, urban wear, hair styles, art, music, dance, slang, etc., we set the bar. Individually and collectively, we get our “swagga on” like no others!
5. Saying “hello” to other Black people
I have been blessed to travel to many parts of the world and the one of the things I find that really defines us, is our acknowledgment of each other. Whether it’s a lift of the brow, a nod, a smile, a wave, or a simple hello, we will greet each other, especially when we are in an environment where there aren’t that many of us (if you know what I mean). Granted not all of us are like this and some of us are even down right nasty and disrespectful when it comes to dealing with another Black person. However overall, I find that overwhelmingly there are many more good experiences with this than bad… and I hope we never lose that quality with each other. It brings a certain level of community and reassurance.
6. Drinks with lots of sugar
Another thing I found in my travels is that Black people around the world love to put lots… and lots… and lots of sugar in their drinks. Whether it’s Kool-Aid, lemonade, ice tea, or some other local beverage of the country, it’s gotta be sweet. Real sweet! I can’t remember how many times I’ve gone into hyperglycemic shock from just one taste of a drink from my peoples!
7. Chicken
Curry chicken, jerk chicken, fried chicken, bbq chicken, roast chicken, baked chicken, stew chicken, broiled chicken, braised chicken, minced chicken, peppered chicken, blackened chicken, creole chicken, cajun chicken, glazed chicken, ginger chicken, lemon chicken, orange chicken, mango chicken, honey garlic chicken, tandoori chicken, teriyaki chicken, sweet and sour chicken, szechuan chicken, chicken in red sauce, chicken in peanut sauce…
8. Getting in free at events
How many times have you gone to an event, lined up and heard similar conversations like these between a patron and the doorperson: “Hey is BamBam around? Tell him his boy (or nigga) Lexx is out here”, “Skinny Mike told me that he would put me on the guest list… you sure my name isn’t there? let me see the list”; “Hey Bruh, I know it’s a $10 cover, but I’ll give you $5 for each of us… there’s 8 of us so it’s like a group rate”; “Don’t you remember me… you’re cousin used to date my best friend’s aunt sister Clorette… I met you at the bbq 4 years ago… hook a brothah/sistah up”… These are the same people who rarely spend the same time or energy trying to make it into an event that is free every Sunday: Church!
9. Brownings
This is a term referring to “light-skinned” Black people, usually used by Jamaicans. Reggae star Buju Banton made it popular with a song of the same name. There is a powerful scene in the Spike Lee joint Jungle Fever, when Flipper goes to his wife Drew’s workplace with flowers, after she throws him out for having an affair with a white woman. Drew, who is light-skinned, breaks it down to Flipper (and to “us” by extension), that he has “a complex about color” which manifests itself in his preference for light-skinned women, and ultimately his attraction to white women. How many times have we heard (and/or even said) that a light-skinned person has “pretty hair”, “pretty eyes” and “pretty skin”, because of their eurocentric features!? I remember visiting family with my little man a couple years ago when he was a newborn, and was told to pinch his nose so that as he grew it would become straighter and not so broad! Which leads me to my last item…
10. fat trashy looking white women or pasty, sweaty looking old white men.
I have never understood the attraction of fine looking brothers to fat trashy looking white women or fine looking sisters to pasty sweaty looking old white men. It really must be love… which begs the question: “why can’t they find that love with each other!?”
afrospear.wordpress.com 
I would love to see an article on how you see “color” as a uniting factor. You made this statement:
“There is no doubt that we are the leaders and trendsetters… worldwide… when it comes to the originality and uniqueness of style. ”
You use “we” to refer to “black people.”
In my opinion, this is like saying “a black man did it.” You are lumping everyone into a single group based on color. Certainly, color is something that people have in common, but does the color of a person’s skin say anything about whether that individual has swagga?
A black man in Puerto Rico may have dancing skills while a “black man” from Australia may not. I don’t think their color means anything except … their color.
Other questions I love to ask…
1. Why is a child with one white parent and one black parent “black?”
2. Why is color important anyway?
I could go on, but why?
If you think your color says something about you, why do you think “others” won’t think your color says something about you?
Isn’t that a thought to ponder?
Which is better? A black GTO or a white GTO? I’d actually like red, but hey…
Would it matter if the keys on a piano had their colors switched? I don’t think so…the look would be different, but the music would be the same.
Perhaps we should simply admit that our “color” is just that…our color. I don’t think it necessarily says anything else about us. If you do, why?
Answers..
1.Because Blacks have some of the strongest characteristics and they will give a kid more of the look of a person of colored meaning they’re black side will win out against their “white” side. Also usually in White culture anyone with a trace of black in them are unfit to be called White(their opinion not mine). Plus biracial children usually opt to blend in more with their black side and not the white one(There are a lot of good youtube videos about that).
2.Because we are human and EVERY one of us have some form of a Superiority Complex. From the beginning of time probably and I doubt it’ll ever change..
Counsel, I would love to see your blog page where you discuss and answer these questions for yourself and for “us”. Don’t be so lazy. If I am the one doing all the thinking for you, then your thoughts are really my thoughts.
I don’t mind and even encourage constructive criticism of what I write and/or someone offering different points of view for discussion. I am however wary of those who use someone else’s platform as their own soapbox.
Get a blog page and get your own “swagga” on!
#4 The Obama’s date night.
#5 As exhibited by Obama and the Bobby.
I mention President Obama, while we debate if Obama passes the black litmus test, many white folks are driven crazy by the stuff the Obama’s like.
asabagna,
I concur (and smile) at the majority of your list. Especially swagga. We are a most swaggalicious people LOL However, don’t you think Tavis deserved a little hatin’ because of the level of his own hatin’. At a certain point, I began to feel that Tavis wasn’t being critical of Obama to the benefit of black people but to the benefit of his own ego.
Greetings Yvette and welcome!
“swaggalicious” …. I like it! My word of the day [;o)
In regards to Tavis, I believe that when you put your opinions out into the public, especially when you are marketing an agenda, then you open yourself up to criticism… more so than a critical anaysis of your ideas! Unfortunately that’s the nature of our society… so you gotta expect it if you want to play in that sandbox. Regardless, this is what I strongly believe: everyone has the right to discuss or debate the merits of your arguments, opinions and agenda… no-one has the right to threaten and/or demonize you and your family because of them!
“At a certain point, I began to feel that Tavis wasn’t being critical of Obama to the benefit of black people but to the benefit of his own ego.”
On this point you may be right. Your perception is your reality. I don’t know what’s in his heart but I didn’t see it that way. In fact, I agreed with Tavis’s criticisms of Obama. No doubt Tavis has his hustle on… he markets himself and his agenda to a large extent. I see nothing wrong with that as I believe it’s his way of getting his message across. I don’t agree with 100% of what he says or stands for, but I believe he is 100% committed to the advancement of Black people. If he advances himself at the same time, more power to him… I ain’t hatin’ on the brothah for that!
Blessings!
LOL, Asa, you just knocked Counsel out basically.
Counsel, I love how Barack is all of sudden not black now bc he is the President. If he didn’t make it, you can bet that he would have been the black man who failed.
SMH.
Once black people are successful, they are not black. Whatever!
As for the smiles to other black people, you won’t catch that nice behaviour in England. LMAO!
asabagna,
I would definitely agree that, when you play in the arena in which Tavis has chosen to play, you open yourself up to criticism,,both personal and professional. And I would be the first one to defend his right to express his opinion without fear of demonization or slander.
However, my larger point goes to something you pointed out. Our perception is our reality. And my perception became one of suspiciousness of Tavis’ motives for his criticisms of Obama. I believe words matter, but even more, I believe intentions matter. What became clear to me was that I wasn’t at all sure of Mr. Smiley’s intentions.
Don’t get me wrong, I see nothing wrong with getting your hustle on and being an opinion maker during a historical election doesn’t hurt a bit. However, if you’re only about the hustle, then, HOUSTON WE HAVE A PROBLEM. Black people have always fallen victim to hustlers claiming to have our best interest at hear, so I guess I’m just a little protective. Experience is a good teacher. 🙂
Yvette
asabagna,
What d’ya know? Someone put my thoughts to words.
If you have time, I’d love to hear your thoughts regarding the following article, http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/06/05/lacewell.race.agenda/.
Yvette
Yvette,
One of the blogs I read regularly is “The Kitchen Table” which features the author of the CNN article, Ms. Melissa Harris-Lacewell. During President Obama’s coronation, Ms. Harris-Lacewell was a guest commentator on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) which covered the event here in Canada. I specifically watched the CBC’s coverage because of her. She provided excellent insight and perspective. I find her commentary on her blog intelligent, thought-provoking, well written, sincere, passionate and more often than not… wrong! lol!!!!! This article is no exception.
It is difficult for me to comment fully on the article because I haven’t watched the Smiley documentary “Stand”. Maybe when I do see it I will agree with her opinions concerning it… I don’t know. I do hope I get to see it and if I do I promise I will comment on it.
In her general comments about Smiley in the article, it’s not surprising or new to me because I have read her same opinions about him on her blog and in other articles. Ms. Harris-Lacewell is an unapologetic Obamaholic and took offence that Tavis would question the agenda of the Black Messiah during the presidential campaign and expect some level of accountability from HIM in regards to issues concerning the African-American electorate and community at large. In this post I wrote in March of this year, I provided a link to an article she wrote in February 2008, in the webmag theRoot entitled: “Who Died and Made Tavis King?”
There is strength in numbers and from what I see and read, there are many more Black people… well at least Black intellectuals… who share your and Ms. Harris-Lacewell view on Tavis, especially since he broke rank and didn’t pledge his unconditional allegiance to the Black Messiah and called HIM out.
I have no emotional nor intellectual stake in the Tavis Smiley agenda… although I do like and watch his show. His State of the Union conference isn’t shown here or I would watch that too. However I was disgusted that because of his stance concerning Obama, he and his family received hate mail and death threats… from people in the Black community! That is the root of my support for him. I respect and “got the back” of anyone who will be true to themselves and just won’t go along to get along.
Blessings!
I must be reading the wrong black blogs. I haven’t seen the love fest for Obama.
asabagna,
I hate that I missed the “Who Died and Made Tavis King?” article. It’s a question I’ve been asking for years so I would love to have read it. I will definitely link to her blog in hopes of locating it in the archives.
My issue with Tavis is not that he wants to hold Obama accountable, nor is it that he did not immediately (or ever) jump on the Obama bandwagon. My issue with Mr. Smiley is that he is now and has always been, hostile to Obama’s then candidacy and now Presidency.
Mr. Obama, like all Presidents and candidates, should be held accountable to those who support and elect them. But Tavis’ scathing and vitriolic comments denigrated the political conversation. It was for this reason that black people (not black intellectuals) had him booted off The Tom Joyner Morning Show. No one’s ever asked for Mr. Smiley’s unconditional allegiance to President Obama. But we all would have appreciated it if Smiley would have played fair and given the man a chance before going into full pitbull mode.
Sorry I’m keeping this thread going asabagna, but I do love a good back and forth, exchange of ideas 🙂
Yvette
“It was for this reason that black people (not black intellectuals) had him booted off The Tom Joyner Morning Show.”
By sending hate mail and death threats to him and his family!
“Sorry I’m keeping this thread going asabagna, but I do love a good back and forth, exchange of ideas..”
Yvette, don’t be sorry… that’s what we’re here for… [;o)
“I must be reading the wrong black blogs. I haven’t seen the love fest for Obama.”
Hathor, that’s because you’re a regular visitor here! lol!
No one should be receiving death threats but I am not comfortable with people standing on their soapboxes barking all day and night picking holes on everything Obama when they are doing fuck all about it.
That’s hypocritical to me.
Asabagna,
Let’s be fair. Whenever someone, anyone, expresses a strong opinion about an issue people care deeply about, the disturbed and radical elements of our society send death threats. No, it doesn’t make it right, but it’s certainly not new. Name one public figure, Senator, Congressman, or T.V. personality who has expressed a unique thought and hasn’t received death threats. Obama has received more than a few death threats but it doesn’t appear that you “got his back”. Do you believe Obama was just going along to get along when he decided to run for President?
Although the death threats may have played a role in Smiley abandoning his commentary role on The Tom Joyner Morning Show, the central reason he left was because the show was flooded with letters and phone calls from black listeners complaining about his jealous rhetoric. You shouldn’t be so quick to martyr Tavis Smiley.
Tavis knows what we all know. His relevance is greatly diminished in a Post-Obama era. So, he has fought tooth and nail to squash Obama’s candidacy since inception.
Oh, almost forgot. I definitely want to hear your opinion of “Stand” when and if you get a chance to see it. Don’t forget! lol
Yvette
Yvette… let’s be real.
First, President Obama doesn’t need me to have his back. Although he turned his back on the Black community during the Presidential campaign and continues to do so, most of you still have his back! But more importantly, big business, wall street, multinational corporations, the military-industrial complex, the American Israeli lobby and the media propaganda machine have his back! As long as he does what he’s told, follow the script put before him, protect the interests of wall street and big business, doesn’t upset the status quo and continue being a good negro, he will be safe… they will protect their investment. When he leaves the presidency, he will make millions on speaking tours (probably with George W. Bush and Dick Cheney) and remember where you heard this first: he will become the first former U.S. president to become the U.N. Secretary General.
Second, Tavis Smiley is no martyr! Not in the least! Tavis and the Tavis Smiley brand is doing extremely well! He has his tv show, does his annual SOTU, he’s doing documentaries, publishing books, doing speaking tours, and he’s got corporate sponsorships. Hell I wish I was as irrelevant as he is becoming in Obama’s post racial America! I am not aware of anyone writing articles for CNN and on blogs, or having discussions over 3-4 days about me, you or Ms. Harris-Lacewell. Any conversations about me usually last about 3-4 minutes and they are rants with lots of expletives!! Ask my wife! lol!! I wish I wasn’t so relevant that I am 3-4 paychecks away from bankruptcy and homelessness!! lol!! I can honestly say that I have no poster of Tavis Smiley on any walls… anywhere in my house. (wink)
Don’t get it twisted because I said I’ve got Tavis’s back. If you dropped some truth that went against the prevailing groupthink and you were demonized, attacked and threatened, I would have your back too!
Peace!
asabagna,
Actually, you’re a lot more relevant than Mr. Smiley (don’t let it go to your head LOL). From what I’ve observed from reading your posts, you’re a lot less self serving and a little more abrasive than good ‘ol Smiley. If you or I were willing to market ourselves and hawk our books with the unrelenting tenacity of street hustlers, I’m sure we too could reach anointed negro status. I choose not to.
Ofcourse Tavis is still getting a lot of attention post-election, but he’s also getting much more criticism. You and I both know that no one becomes irrelevant overnight. And it’s not a post-racial America that’s making Smiley less relevant, it’s a post victimization America. We can revisit his relevance in 5 years.
The irony here though is that the same corporations who have President Obama’s back, also have Mr. Smiley’s back. However, you’re very dismissive of Smiley’s connection to big business and big money but you demonize Obama for similar relationships when, in fact, it would be much more difficult (even suicidal) for President Obama to distance himself from elements of the corporatocracy.
I agree with you on one thing, Obama will make millions on speaking tours when he leaves the Oval Office. So what? In much the same way that you can’t knock Smiley’s hustle, I can’t knock Obama’s. If a pseudo-intellectual can get his green, why can’t an ex-President?
But it’s really less about the money to me and more about black people feeling that in order for someone to have our best interest at heart, he or she has to be all about us all the time. I’m not that much of a narcissist. I see the influx of black talent in Washington DC, people being groomed to do what Obama did but only better. This is less about electing a revolutionary negro who gets assassinated for speaking the “truth” and more about having the sense to know that success is often incremental.
YvetteDC
I don’t know how many of these types of postings I have seen within the recent year, but again, this is the unfortunate outcome of what the author of “Stuff White People Like,” created when he wrote his insightful, yet humorous book. I am unsure if the writer behind this blog read the book, because if so, they would have understood that the book was an honest, non-stereotypical, look into mainstream popular culture, which due to many quirks and idiosyncrasies, also provided for many laughs. This post, and many others like it, is nothing more than someone using his idea to harp on many Black stereotypes as opposed to looking deeply into our culture and discussing things we really do like or are prevalent in our culture. I’m not saying that we don’t like chicken, God knows we do, but I think that goes without saying. “Drinks with lots of sugar, fat white women, getting in free at events?” If these are the things that we REALLY like, then maybe I shouldn’t be addressing the author of this blog, and instead address all my Black people and say we need to do better. Fortunately I feel we are better than that, so if anyone is ever going to do another post of “Stuff Black People Like,” let’s keep it real, but not to the point where keeping it real goes wrong…example, Black people like claiming to listen to conscious hip-hop but secretly listen to popular rap. Anyone who says they only listen to Talib Kweli, The Roots, Brother Ali, Dead Prez, etc. is full of shit. Check their iTunes, you are guaranteed to find a song by Ja Rule, Soulja Boy, maybe even the Black Eyed Peas (post-Fergie joining of course).
Other things we like are having the ability to use racial slurs, slow dances, guys with the first name Michael (Jordan, Jackson, Vick, McDonald, etc), sauces (bbq, hot, ranch…although it’s a dressing, it’s a sauce), and so on.
“People are most fearful of you when you exceed what is expected of you…”
ik
This has got to be the worst “list” I have seen in a long time. It’s just plain corny. The fact that you “dissed” the Sacred Heart of Jesus first off didn’t help. That was an easy out just to try and prove how cool you are. I mean, is the image of an Afro-headed Jesus any better? Gag! Just because you’re a black person, doesn’t necessarily mean you know what the hell you’re talking about. Cause you don’t!
this isnt a real list of what black people like….. smh … i got the list comming soon
You’re just as racist as an old white redneck. I’ve seen rasict whites complain about other whites dating “nasty greasy black people” and here you are complaining about blacks dating “nasty pasty white people.” Good job proving that you are exactly the same as them. If someone should do a humorous piece about what blacks/whites like; it shouldn’t be a hateful, biased person like yourself.