Diary of a Content Black Woman

Leave it to Whoopi to make it plain and keep it real. The original post response ran right after Govenor Palin's convention speech. Below is her response to the reaction from that post.

Thanks Whoopi:

Some things that I read, though, kind of distressed me — like a response to something that I had written by Joanne Selle and Marjorie C., talking really about the black issue — the fact that I brought up race when talking about Sarah Palin’s daughter.

I said I thought if it had been one of Barack Obama’s daughters as opposed to a very nice young white lady it would have been a different response. Well people took to the fact that I made the differentiation by saying a white lady or a white girl and that made the discussion about race. Let me be really clear: You cannot tell me in this country — when you put a white girl next to a black girl and they’re both pregnant — that people are not going to say, “Well, she’s going to end up on welfare.” Or people are going to make those kinds of remarks that we’ve heard made, by the way, over the last 10 to 15 years; at least I have. And maybe it’s because my child got pregnant very early on that I have a distinctive feel about this.

My daughter was talked about very differently than other people at the time, and maybe it’s because she was the child of a famous person. I don’t know. But to say that doesn’t come into play is ridiculous. To say that it is using the race card seems very strange to me. It’s an observation about a truism in the United States. They would have been treated differently. Would they have treated Chelsea Clinton the same way they’re treating Sarah Palin’s daughter? I don’t know. It hadn’t occurred to me until this moment that maybe they would have said the same thing about Chelsea Clinton, that she’s young and we have to stand beside her and it’s nobody’s business. Maybe they would have said that. I don’t think so, really, in my heart of hearts, but maybe they would have.

For Whoopi's entire response visit: Wowowow.com.

So, I saw this clip on The View and the only thing I could think of was, "Here we go again." Then before I knew it, Elisabeth Hasselback had a Hillary Clinton moment and was brought to tears. Was she actually crying because she couldn't use the "N-word" when she wanted without being labeled a racist? As if some great power of privilege had been taken from her as a white woman?

I do not think that.

However, I must admit, I did feel the pain of her frustration as just a person trying to do the right thing. Multiply that same type of frustration by most Black people of this country since its inception by a million and then one can begin to get a glimpse of what it is like to be Black in America.

Long ago, here on this blog I said the sins of this country's forefathers as it relates to slavery and the history of the mistreatment of Black people haunts not only Black people, but white people as well. Yesterday's discussion on The View proved me right. It also demonstrated the value of having a balanced panel to include Black people like most shows had not done up until now when discussing issues as they pertain to Black people.

Bravo ABC and Barbara Walters for getting it (and let's not forget, Barbara did once knock boots with a Black man.)

Despite some of the arguments by whites like - "I didn't enslave anyone. Why should I take the blame or feel guilty for something I didn't do?" It is because, by virtue of the fact that you were born as a white person in America, you serve as the beneficiaries to the privileges of being born white in America. Even if you are white and born poor, if you get access to some nice clean clothes and were trained in speaking in a sophisticated way, as a white person, your upwardly mobile status in life would never be questioned whereas Blacks who genuinely have achieved such a status in this country have been regularly questioned, although I would dare say not so much so now.

With that, there are African Americans who feel that with whites collectively having greater access to wealth, Blacks should at least have access use a word pertaining to them the way they want. It is controversial. No doubt.

Welcome to the complex realm of being an American.

I won't lie. Like Whoopi and Sherri, there are times I think usage of the word in the context of comedy or entertainment involving interaction between African Americans can serve as a guilty pleasure. It can bring emphasis to convey a certain message or term of endearment or frustration to get a point across. However, when it comes to the usage of the N-word by those other than Black people, whites are just not allowed.

It is what it is.

Believe me, this is a controversy I lose no sleep over. And if it is something some whites do lose sleep over - than they really need to check themselves.

For me personally, this is a word I do not use in my daily way of communicating. I don't find it necessary. I did use it once in an argument with my daughter's father at the height of frustration. Believe me, I am well aware of many relationships where Black couple use it often in arguments or as terms of endearment with one another. For me, this I find odd, but it is not for me to judge.

As for Jesse Jackson, he just needs to go sit down somewhere. He gives those Black men with Rev. in front of their name a bad rap. This coupled with the Rev. Wright controversy perpetuates and fosters a new brand of stereotype that we as Black people always seem to be in a battle against.

Beware people. All of this is just another form of distraction. Let's keep our eyes on the prize when it comes to dealing with issues of the economy, quality education and access to quality health care to preserve the overall health of our nation.

To demonstrate in context a familiar use of the N-word, I've provided couple of examples:

As a voter, these are the things most important to me in my decision for president. On top of that, I love it that he doesn't shy away from controversy.

However, if you get a chance, check out the body language, particularly of Whoopi and Elizabeth. Whoopi's faced is frowned almost the entire time as others ask questions especially during the Jeremiah Wright controversy questions (not posted here, but is on YouTube). I believe she is just being introspective.

Then, if you notice when Obama indicated that he would seek to have immediate, strategic withdrawal from Iraq, Elizabeth did not clap. In many ways, the View co-hosts were more interesting to watch during the interview than Barack.

Check out the whole thing if you can. It's quite telling.

I saw this episode of The View yesterday. However, when I saw this, I felt so embarrassed for Ms. Shepherd, I was thinking-hoping it lasted so little time, that maybe no one would notice.

I was wrong.

The interesting thing is the oldest civilization in recorded history is Egyptian history. Many religious practices are based on religions set up here. It goes back over 5,000 years.

Many religious scholars identify Hinduism as the world's oldest religion:

Hinduism differs from Christianity and other Western religions in that it does not have a single founder, a specific theological system, a single system of morality, or a central religious organization. It consists of "thousands of different religious groups that have evolved in India since 1500 BCE."

And while I am not looking to come off as some major scholar, I've learned and seen first hand how people perish for lack of knowledge.

This wasn't so bad and I wasn't even going to write about this until I saw this clip:

[Huge Sigh!]

I hear you Allison. I can't believe I didn't audition for this show myself.

While I am very supportive of Sherri being on the show, she has got to do her homework - her due diligence. The world is watching, Babe. You just can't show up to work without bringing your "A" game.

One of the things I absolutely love about Whoopi Goldberg is her level of intelligence. Dumb comediennes just don't last long. Good comediennes are masters of calibrating the truth in such a way to make it more palatable.

The other thing about Whoopi that I love is that she protects Sherri. She clearly has an affection for her that says, "Girlfriend, I want to help you. Therefore, whenever you say something you may not mean, as lead co-host, I am going to work to give you as many outs as I can."

Let's face it. Everyone is not born a genius regardless of race or ethnicity. However, whenever someone is on a platform like The View, any woman worth her salt wants to be well represented.

They can work with Sherri. She is no Rosie O'Donnell. She's sweet and humble. Humility is a very attractive and appealing quality.

We just want to be careful not to be so blind-sided by a belief based on someone else's interpretation, we fail to be open to evidence and truth that empowers us as people to make well-informed decisions.

Hang in there, Sherri. You just got a bit of work to do.

It's tough to go back, once you've gone Black!

NEW YORK — "The View's" table is going to be Sherri Shepherd back at full capacity Monday when comedian pulls up a chair as the daytime show's new co-host.

Less than a week after Whoopi Goldberg's debut, the ABC chatfest is set to bring on Shepherd as its fifth co-host, according to a person familiar with the situation. Barbara Walters, the program's grand dame and co-executive producer, would only say Wednesday that another panelist will officially be named to fill the seat that was vacated by Star Jones Reynolds in 2006.

"It's been empty for a year, but this Monday, Sept. 10, if you tune in, you will find that we have somebody else joining the panel permanently," Walters said during the program's Hot Topics segment."


"I was only here a day, you replacing me already?" exclaimed Goldberg, who succeeded Rosie O'Donnell as the show's moderator this season. "Oh my God, oh my God!"

"I should have said, 'not instead of, but in addition to,'" Walters responded.

Since Jones Reynolds' acrimonious departure, the position has been filled by a series of guest hosts, including Shepherd, who often enlivened the show with bawdy stories and sharp quips.

The Los Angeles Times reported in July that ABC was in talks with the "Who's Your Caddy" actress to join the program.

Shepherd did not immediately respond to an e-mail for comment, but on her personal website, she suggests that fans e-mail Walters and executive producer Bill Geddie "to let them know that you'd like to see me more on The View (hint hint)."

Article courtesy of Matea Gold of the Los Angeles Times.

The other day I happen to catch an episode of The View. During one segment of the show the four hosts began talking about the best-selling book and DVD The Secret. In pure Rosie O’Donnell style, she began to attack the product and its intent. She mentioned that the primary premise of the DVD focused on materialism and “getting stuff.” The unfortunate thing is that she took the message of the DVD out of context and sought to over-simplify it in less than 120 seconds. It’s unfortunate that someone with her level of influence can be so negative. I guess they don’t call her the “queen of mean” for nothing. She clearly is the quintessential “Angry Lesbian;” assuming almost everyone is out to get her just because she is a lesbian.

Having been a former “Angry Black Woman,” I must say that I understand from where Rosie comes. When it seems you have had to fight so hard for every little (and big) thing you have ever acquired, then have to fight twice as hard to keep it because people come at you sometimes because of who you are, it is very easy to become angry with and suspicious of everyone and everything. It becomes so that you don’t know who to trust. It is because of this type of spiral that life can take you through that a concept like The Secret is so vitally important for our world today.

I recall when I first became aware of The Secret. My becoming aware of it was a natural next step in a journey of self-realization that I had begun just three years prior. I had grown tired of the rat race of life. Like many in America, I believed in the American Dream that professed if I just worked hard enough I could have and be anything that I wanted. The problem became that the harder I worked, the more it seemed to never be enough. There were times in my life when “unfairness” was just determined to occupy the space all around me until one day it frustrated me so that I said, “Enough!”

I just stopped. I stopped being easily accessible. I stopped going to church. I stopped aggressively going after clients for my business. I just stopped and did only just enough of what I had to do, like take care of my kid and earned enough money to keep utilities on. I could no longer meet the impossible standard of society’s perceived idea of perfection. This hitting of the proverbial wall led to one simple prayer request of God: “Lord, make my life a function of spiritual truth.” That was it. This was all that I wanted. My logic was that if I could spiritually and consciously ascertain the things in life that were real and not real, I would have all that I needed to know peace, contentment and joy. If God was the God He claimed to be, he would show up in all the places where I needed Him most. I threw my faith to the wind and fully believed that He was a rewarder of those who diligently sought Him. And guess what? It worked!

Since that time, I have stayed in my home, every essential bill has been paid and my child and I have never missed a meal. This is not to say that there have not been moments of uncertainty and out and out fear. However, I am continually learning that just because one chooses to live fearlessly does not mean that they won’t encounter moments of fear.

My point: I was already employing the principals of The Secret. The Law of Attraction that says one’s thoughts are vital to what one attracts in one’s life. My priority three years ago was to have peace in my life. I grew tired and intolerant of people and circumstances that were negative and failed to add value to my life and my spirit. I like being peaceful, joyful and positive. This state of being adds to my ability to be grateful for where I am in my life right now without worries about tomorrow; for I know tomorrow will take care of itself. The bottom line, no matter how hard we try, we cannot have control of everything in life. It was at that moment of clarity that I surrendered all efforts to control every little outcome in my life. It is when I began to experience a newfound joy and peace I had long been awaiting.

It is this and other experiences that are the manifestation of the principals of The Secret. The reason it is so easy for people like Rosie O’Donnell and others to attack it is because they don’t understand it. And you know what? That’s O.K. Everyone has their own path in life to travel and what works for some, may or may not work for others. Life indeed is a process. Over the last three years, I have found tremendous joy in living a life that is free of judgment and subscribing to a notion of “live and let live.”

As much as I didn’t like how Rosie and others on The View sought to characterize The Secret, I don’t stand in judgment of them. They have a right to think what they like. Another benefit of employing the principals of The Secret is that you can easily grow less and less concerned about what others think. There is no need on my part to argue my point or seek to convince anyone why these principals work. The liberation associated with this alone is well worth a 1000 times plus the cost of the book and DVD combined. One of the most empowering feelings behind not caring about the opinions of others with regards to how you choose to live your life is your ability to disarm them from making you miserable ever again. It’s the equivalent of taking a weapon out of the hands of an oppressor who insists on beating you.

The Secret has been and probably will continue to be a secret for most because of who and what they are: jealous, miserable, fearful, insecure and judgmental. When hindered by such negative traits, of course others will not be able to recognize the value of the principals of the Law of Attraction for anyone else because they are unable to derive the benefits of this gift for themselves. It does nothing but bring to mind the old adage that says that misery loves company. How dare you be happy while they remain riddled in their discontentment?

We have the power of choice – free will. There may be growing pains along the way when we choose a life of spiritual truth, but the benefits so outweigh the negatives. I recognize that everyone is not worthy to the front seat of a life that is unfolding into peace, love, prosperity and spiritual wisdom and enlightenment. Whenever they are ready to receive the benefits of living a spiritually authentic life, the principals of The Secret will be readily available for the partaking.