How did the age of 21 come about as the "legal drinking age" in the United States? I ask that question somewhat rhetorically, because I really don't want the answer, because that would probably ruin my forthcoming diatribe!
I think 21 was arbitrarily chosen, and I think that the age should either be lowered to 18, or raised to 25! I think this, in part, because these numbers two are simply arbitrary, yet can be associated with a variety of other lifetime milestones. Even though I'm far past the age of 18, I've always wondered WHY 21 was set aside as the "magical legal drinking age"? At 18, you can legally marry, enter contracts, and sign your life away to either of the military branches of this country, so why then, if given THIS MUCH RESPONSIBILITY is the age to legally imbibe in alcohol consumption still held off until 21? It's not as if that age restriction somehow magically keeps kids AWAY from alcohol. It just seems arbitrary and ridiculous to me!
Everyone's so enthused about "young people and their participation in this year's election", but what would happen if those young people decided to turn their attention towards this issue?
It just seems crazy to me that you can enter contracts that can change your life, open credit that can potentially ruin your financial life (for decades), and make the ultimate decision to put your life on the line for this country and its ideals, but can't get a drink until 3 more years have passed.
This sucks! And who gave MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) the power to enforce such an age limit arbitrarily?
Friday, April 18, 2008
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
The Barack Brouhaha
In the midst of Senator Obama making his speech about race relations in america, and attempting to hear Hillary's response, it occured to me: I don't care anymore!
It goes beyond the fact that Barack's american "golden boy" (both figuratively and literally) that can do no wrong, but just the fact that this gets everyone's feathers in a twist gives me a headache!
I'm sure I sound incoherent, as it's been several days since I've had a good night's sleep, since I've been dealing ad nausem with T-Mobile's bullsh1t HotSpot @ Home service that apparently isn't meant to work in MY home. But it hit me: "so what?". I didn't have the time, nor the inclination to listen to a 35 minute speech by Obama, because not a damn thing he says now is going to really change my opinion of him, nor take my vote away from Hillary. It just seems so damn useless and senseless! I honestly don't think either of them have a snowball's chance in hell of being the next president of this country, but I'd be more than willing to "eat my words" should my assumptions about this racist/sexist nation ring untrue.
People keep asking the question "is america ready for a Black president?", and my answer to that is "sure, if you can actually find one!". Yes, I said it! Barack isn't the kind of "Black" I envision when I think of a "Black president". A Black american president should be someone with longstanding cultural ties to this country who has understood and overcome the institutional racism of this country and still managed to get elected to the highest office of this land! Until that happens, I'll always view Barack's candidacy (or even his win) as a pseudo-victory for "colored folks" everywhere! If the decendent of an american Black slave were to be elected president (even with being biracial), I'd view THAT as a victory, because even in that case, that person would have SOME semblance of an understanding of where myself, and people like me come from.
I know it's no longer popular to expose such views about Barack Obama. In fact, part of me expects my Blogger account to be "mysteriously" shut down ("for maintenance") within the next few days. Don't get me wrong. I think Barack Obama is a nice guy. I'd love to have coffee or lunch with him to pick his brain and ask him some questions about some of the things he talked about in his first book (yes, I actually read it, unlike many of the faithful "obamites" out there that follow him blindly). But the simple fact of the matter is, I can't (and won't) get past his "cosmepolitan" upbringing that allows so many whites to be so comfortable around him because he is the antithesis of what MOST people know to be "Black". His candidacy should at the very least show people that "race" isn't simply about skin color! It's about so much more than that. Barack Obama's skin color makes him a "tan man". His ethnicity makes him an "African American", but as far as I'm concerned: HE'S NOT BLACK!
Yes, this is really quite off the topic of his speech and all the surrounding "drama" that goes with it. Perhaps, if I feel up to it later, I'll talk about how I was actually impressed by Obama actually "boning up on his political savvyness" and becoming a politician for once by throwing Jeremiah Wright under the bus and distancing himself from him as soon as humanly possible when sh1t hit the fan! LMAO.
It goes beyond the fact that Barack's american "golden boy" (both figuratively and literally) that can do no wrong, but just the fact that this gets everyone's feathers in a twist gives me a headache!
I'm sure I sound incoherent, as it's been several days since I've had a good night's sleep, since I've been dealing ad nausem with T-Mobile's bullsh1t HotSpot @ Home service that apparently isn't meant to work in MY home. But it hit me: "so what?". I didn't have the time, nor the inclination to listen to a 35 minute speech by Obama, because not a damn thing he says now is going to really change my opinion of him, nor take my vote away from Hillary. It just seems so damn useless and senseless! I honestly don't think either of them have a snowball's chance in hell of being the next president of this country, but I'd be more than willing to "eat my words" should my assumptions about this racist/sexist nation ring untrue.
People keep asking the question "is america ready for a Black president?", and my answer to that is "sure, if you can actually find one!". Yes, I said it! Barack isn't the kind of "Black" I envision when I think of a "Black president". A Black american president should be someone with longstanding cultural ties to this country who has understood and overcome the institutional racism of this country and still managed to get elected to the highest office of this land! Until that happens, I'll always view Barack's candidacy (or even his win) as a pseudo-victory for "colored folks" everywhere! If the decendent of an american Black slave were to be elected president (even with being biracial), I'd view THAT as a victory, because even in that case, that person would have SOME semblance of an understanding of where myself, and people like me come from.
I know it's no longer popular to expose such views about Barack Obama. In fact, part of me expects my Blogger account to be "mysteriously" shut down ("for maintenance") within the next few days. Don't get me wrong. I think Barack Obama is a nice guy. I'd love to have coffee or lunch with him to pick his brain and ask him some questions about some of the things he talked about in his first book (yes, I actually read it, unlike many of the faithful "obamites" out there that follow him blindly). But the simple fact of the matter is, I can't (and won't) get past his "cosmepolitan" upbringing that allows so many whites to be so comfortable around him because he is the antithesis of what MOST people know to be "Black". His candidacy should at the very least show people that "race" isn't simply about skin color! It's about so much more than that. Barack Obama's skin color makes him a "tan man". His ethnicity makes him an "African American", but as far as I'm concerned: HE'S NOT BLACK!
Yes, this is really quite off the topic of his speech and all the surrounding "drama" that goes with it. Perhaps, if I feel up to it later, I'll talk about how I was actually impressed by Obama actually "boning up on his political savvyness" and becoming a politician for once by throwing Jeremiah Wright under the bus and distancing himself from him as soon as humanly possible when sh1t hit the fan! LMAO.
Monday, March 17, 2008
"Stuff white people like"....
Yet another bit of inequality in this world surrounds this popular blog that has got everyone in a tizzy. Some white guy set up a satirical site about being white and obnoxious, and he'll probably make a million dollars off of it!!
I'm really getting sick and tired of racism in this country, but what makes it so insidious is that people can't even identify when it's happening anymore.
The fact that his site (for whatever reason) continues to draw readers is just sad and sorry.
If there were any justice in the world, I'd have $3 million dollars of "mad money" sitting in my checking account. SMH.
I'm really getting sick and tired of racism in this country, but what makes it so insidious is that people can't even identify when it's happening anymore.
The fact that his site (for whatever reason) continues to draw readers is just sad and sorry.
If there were any justice in the world, I'd have $3 million dollars of "mad money" sitting in my checking account. SMH.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Genius Deferred
Everyday I wake up and ask myself "why don't I have a job?". At least once a day, I ask this question to some friend or family member over the phone. We're all perplexed, and no one has any answers. It just doesn't seem fair that a college educated, intelligent, bright, ambitious, and energetic young woman can't seem to find good employment.
When I talk to people, the looks of disbelief on their faces at the fact that I'm not working is almost comical. It's as if people can't conceptualize what it is that might be keeping me from the employment ranks. No one has any answers. All they can do is shake their head.
I've started to believe that this is serving as a time where I am being "tested". I long believed that God would take care of me, and provide for all of my needs, but sometime a few weeks ago I lost that belief. Outright. Gone. I felt completely and utterly alone in this world, knowing that I'm utterly powerless to change any and everything that happens to me in this world. Don't get me wrong. I'm not feeling bleek or sorry for myself. I just realized that I am haplessly and aimlessly wandering through life and there's not much that's within my power to change anything about my current situation. I can't make someone give me a job, nor am I in the place where I can financially afford to invest in my own future and create a job for myself.
I'm just BEING. Stuck in a conundrum waiting on all this stuff to finally come to an end. What I mean by "end", only time will tell, but for now, I really and truly to feel as if, once again, GENIUS is being DEFERRED. All this talent and wit, wasted. It's just sad and pathetic that we live in a world where someone like me sits inert, on the internet, writing to no one, while no one in particular cares...
When I talk to people, the looks of disbelief on their faces at the fact that I'm not working is almost comical. It's as if people can't conceptualize what it is that might be keeping me from the employment ranks. No one has any answers. All they can do is shake their head.
I've started to believe that this is serving as a time where I am being "tested". I long believed that God would take care of me, and provide for all of my needs, but sometime a few weeks ago I lost that belief. Outright. Gone. I felt completely and utterly alone in this world, knowing that I'm utterly powerless to change any and everything that happens to me in this world. Don't get me wrong. I'm not feeling bleek or sorry for myself. I just realized that I am haplessly and aimlessly wandering through life and there's not much that's within my power to change anything about my current situation. I can't make someone give me a job, nor am I in the place where I can financially afford to invest in my own future and create a job for myself.
I'm just BEING. Stuck in a conundrum waiting on all this stuff to finally come to an end. What I mean by "end", only time will tell, but for now, I really and truly to feel as if, once again, GENIUS is being DEFERRED. All this talent and wit, wasted. It's just sad and pathetic that we live in a world where someone like me sits inert, on the internet, writing to no one, while no one in particular cares...
Sunday, February 10, 2008
The Grammys - 2008
It's the 50th Anniversary of the NARAS's Grammy Awards show, and for the last 5-6 years, I admit it's been an event that I've found I care less and less about as time passes. It's not because I necessarily dislike the music that's be produced from their respective artists, but it's more so based on the fact that every passing Grammy year reminds me of yet another failure in my own life, as I'm no closer to getting to the awards show than I was when I decided I wanted to win an award when I was 4.
Well, the motivation behind this post comes from Vince Gill's acceptance speech as he received the Best Country Music Album of the Year award. In his speech, he quoted someone by saying, "Music is the only true place where democracy lives". My first thought was "Bullshit"!
I've been in "Stifle City" more than a year, and whenever I tell someone I'd like to break into the music industry, they always start by giving me tips on how to break into Gospel music!
Why is that you may ask? Is it because it's "the Bible Belt", or because Gospel Music is slowly taking a back seat to Country Music in the Music City? NO! It's because I'm a Black woman! That's why. It's inconceivable to many to believe that I'd ever have any desire to break into the music industry, and just the outright assumption that because I'm Black I'm automatically looking to get my foot in the door with Gospel music. A genre I haven't listened to in more than 15 years!
Anywhoo, I felt the need to point that out.
I'm sure no one cares, because right now, I don't have any readers. SMH & LOL.
Well, the motivation behind this post comes from Vince Gill's acceptance speech as he received the Best Country Music Album of the Year award. In his speech, he quoted someone by saying, "Music is the only true place where democracy lives". My first thought was "Bullshit"!
I've been in "Stifle City" more than a year, and whenever I tell someone I'd like to break into the music industry, they always start by giving me tips on how to break into Gospel music!
Why is that you may ask? Is it because it's "the Bible Belt", or because Gospel Music is slowly taking a back seat to Country Music in the Music City? NO! It's because I'm a Black woman! That's why. It's inconceivable to many to believe that I'd ever have any desire to break into the music industry, and just the outright assumption that because I'm Black I'm automatically looking to get my foot in the door with Gospel music. A genre I haven't listened to in more than 15 years!
Anywhoo, I felt the need to point that out.
I'm sure no one cares, because right now, I don't have any readers. SMH & LOL.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
HILLARY CLINTON FOR PRESIDENT!
A friend of mine recently grilled me on my recent "endorsement" of Hillary Clinton for the next President of the United States.
I was made to feel as though because I couldn't immediately give a laundry list of her qualifications and accomplishments, that I somehow wasn't making the "right choice". It was even alleged that I was making a "purely emotional" decision that didn't rely on fact or evidence.
Initially I balked at the assertion, because quite honestly, I wasn't in the mood to argue with this particular individual who finds that the bain of their existence (in their free time) is to annoy the hell out of me by picking petty arguments incessantly.
Later, once our conversation was over, I really took the time to think about why it is I think Hillary Clinton should be the next President of this country. While my feelings aren't "purely emotional", there are definitely tenets of emotions that course through my brain when I think of her candidacy, and what I hope it can do for our country.
First, Hillary Clinton was the first First Lady in my lifetime that I could actually say that I admired. I loved that fact that she wasn't merely a housewife reading stories to 3rd graders and planning tea parties at the White House. I loved that she and Bill seemed to SHARE both the successes and defeats of their professional lives. She always appeared strong to me, and though I'll never have any idea of what was happening in their home, I always got the impression that she was "runnin' thangs"! LOL. Plus, I have to admit, part of me felt a bit of a kinship to another fellow Illinois-born gal! :) So, it's from this initial perspective that the idea that Hillary could now be in the grasp of the Oval Office that makes me brim with pride!
Second, as a former Illinois resident, who voted for Barack Obama in 2004, I still believe that Hillary Clinton is the best politician! People get upset with me for saying this, but "the politics of politics requires that you be a politician" and for that reason I believe Hillary has the superior qualifications! People quickly run to a discussion about "experience" when I mention this, ready to point out her time in the senate, and devalue any experience she may have gained from being married to the most powerful man in the world. When I think of "experience", I think of "experience" in knowing how to navigate through the tough world of "Good Ol' Boys" and still manage to hold your head above water!
Finally, I just like her! In the past few months, whenever Hillary Clinton's name has been mentioned in public, I've literally seen people growl. It's amazing. I've never known someone to garner just ire from people, many of whom, can't even tell you what it is about her that they dislike. Many people feel she doesn't have a chance, and so for that reason, she definitely gets my vote, because I love "rooting for the underdog"! I think she's smart, confident, and capable of getting the job done!
VOTE HILLARY! :)
I was made to feel as though because I couldn't immediately give a laundry list of her qualifications and accomplishments, that I somehow wasn't making the "right choice". It was even alleged that I was making a "purely emotional" decision that didn't rely on fact or evidence.
Initially I balked at the assertion, because quite honestly, I wasn't in the mood to argue with this particular individual who finds that the bain of their existence (in their free time) is to annoy the hell out of me by picking petty arguments incessantly.
Later, once our conversation was over, I really took the time to think about why it is I think Hillary Clinton should be the next President of this country. While my feelings aren't "purely emotional", there are definitely tenets of emotions that course through my brain when I think of her candidacy, and what I hope it can do for our country.
First, Hillary Clinton was the first First Lady in my lifetime that I could actually say that I admired. I loved that fact that she wasn't merely a housewife reading stories to 3rd graders and planning tea parties at the White House. I loved that she and Bill seemed to SHARE both the successes and defeats of their professional lives. She always appeared strong to me, and though I'll never have any idea of what was happening in their home, I always got the impression that she was "runnin' thangs"! LOL. Plus, I have to admit, part of me felt a bit of a kinship to another fellow Illinois-born gal! :) So, it's from this initial perspective that the idea that Hillary could now be in the grasp of the Oval Office that makes me brim with pride!
Second, as a former Illinois resident, who voted for Barack Obama in 2004, I still believe that Hillary Clinton is the best politician! People get upset with me for saying this, but "the politics of politics requires that you be a politician" and for that reason I believe Hillary has the superior qualifications! People quickly run to a discussion about "experience" when I mention this, ready to point out her time in the senate, and devalue any experience she may have gained from being married to the most powerful man in the world. When I think of "experience", I think of "experience" in knowing how to navigate through the tough world of "Good Ol' Boys" and still manage to hold your head above water!
Finally, I just like her! In the past few months, whenever Hillary Clinton's name has been mentioned in public, I've literally seen people growl. It's amazing. I've never known someone to garner just ire from people, many of whom, can't even tell you what it is about her that they dislike. Many people feel she doesn't have a chance, and so for that reason, she definitely gets my vote, because I love "rooting for the underdog"! I think she's smart, confident, and capable of getting the job done!
VOTE HILLARY! :)
Monday, December 17, 2007
About Me...
I am normally my favorite subject. Usually, someone can ask me to talk about myself, and I can surely take up an hour of their time by only tapping the surface of "the highlights" of my adolescent years. Lately, I've found that the topic of me isn't all that interesting, at least not when talking about temporary issues. Something about being unemployed has sapped the life out of me, and more importantly, caused me to become dejected and disheartened at life. Don't get me wrong, I'm not "depressed", I'm just taking a very pragmatic and realistic view of life for the first time.
It's funny to think of how much more interesting this post would have been two years ago.
Oh well.
Thanks for reading.
It's funny to think of how much more interesting this post would have been two years ago.
Oh well.
Thanks for reading.
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About Me
- Genius Deferred
- Write as little or as much as I'd like, up to 1200 characters. Again, I feel limited. In a nutshell, I'm an exceedingly genuine person experiencing an exceedingly tedious series of events. I'm in my early 30s. I'm a college graduate (several times over), and recently lost a job that didn't in any way allow me to live up to my life's potential! "Deferred Genius" refers to the current state I'm in where I could take the world by storm, if only given the opportunity. I'm trying to now capitalize on the POTENTIAL that I have and raise $100,000 for a business opportunity primed to be a multimillion-dollar enterprise. I COULD USE AN ANGEL INVESTOR!