madame zenobia's

the other nite, i had to listen to some folks, actually one person in particular, ruminate about how acceptance should be enough...how we need to be clear in our language because there are degrees of homophobia...how he needed reassurance that he wasn't homophobic even though he "didn't accept that lifestyle." literally, i could see the disgust on his face when he talked about DL brothers...he just could not understand how a straight-identified man could have sex with another man and not consider himself gay...when i tell y'all he was not feelin social constructions of sexuality, i mean he was not feelin social constructions of sexuality...

i can deal with disagreements and differences of opinion. i'm a rhet/comp scholar after all (not that all rhet/comp scholars can handle ideological conflicts because i have seen some meltdowns...) and if i can't engage in civil discourse, i've been wasting my time, and i need to find another full-time gig. but this cat was so not interested in any dialogue...although he gestured toward conversation by acting like he was listenin to folks but he really wasn't because he was too caught up in his blackberry.

...aveeno is promoting its latest addition--ultra-calming moisturizers...when i saw the commercial, i focused on two words: reduces redness. at that moment, i felt completely excluded from the marketing campaign. do i turn red? yes. does my skin get irritated, especially during those cold, dry winter months? of couse. a co-worker of mine was surprised to learn that my skin was vulnerable to the sun as well. she said: "i didn't know black people get sun-burned." keep in mind that this is also the same person who suggested i dress up as aunt jemima and carry a bottle of syrup to her halloween party.

all of this is connected, no doubt. all of this is connected, unfortunately. all of this is connected, damn...

astronauts in outer space; police sirens every nite; homophobia in the academy; broken glass at the entrance of the playground; us marines killing iraqi civilians; blackface at pee wee football

quote of the day

"When I dare to be powerful - to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid...I have come to believe over and over again that what is most important to me must be spoken, made verbal and shared, even at the risk of having it bruised or misunderstood."
Audre Lorde