Rants on Twerking, Interracial Relationships and Celebrity Foolishness
Over the past couple of weeks a lot of different things have come up in the news from issues with North Korea to Rick Ross losing his damn mind and rapping about drugging women and having sex with them. It got my wheels turning, so again I’ll be voicing my opinion on the aforementioned topics and more.
1. Iron Sheik is a funny Mo’Fo
“Hulk Hogan is a blonde jabroni piece of sh**. If not for Sheiky there would be no Hulk Hogan”
I was on you tube some years back and I was surfing around entertaining myself, and I came across a link and it said: “Iron Sheik explains why he doesn’t like Hulk Hogan”. I didn’t pay any attention to it. Not long after that, a buddy of mine went to an event where Iron Sheik was (whether it was an autograph signing or meet and greet escapes me).
Anyway, he told me how Sheik was asked about some wrestlers and he [Sheik] went off on the wrestlers as their names were mentioned. He was calling them names, cursing, etc. You name it he said it. I’m thinking, “No way, the same Iron Sheik from WWF in the 80’s?” He told me how hilarious it was. I didn’t find it funny at the time, but for the heck of it, I decided to check out the link I previously saw. I was hooked from that day forward.
He has done quite a few shows on Howard Stern as well. **In no way am I related to Sheik or am promoting him, but if you want some unintentional humor, it’s imperative you check the Iron Sheik out.”
2. Ray-J and Rick Ross have started digging their own celebrity graves
“She might move on to rappers and ball players
But we all know I hit it first…I had her head going north and her ass going south
But now baby chose to go West”
– Ray J, Song: ‘I Hit it First‘
Okay, so first of all the fact that you’re still on your sexual expedition with the socialite from 10 years ago is pretty lame. You made the sex tape in 2003. 2…0…0…3!! Let it ride man, just let it go. You’re 32 years old, one would think that you’d be onto some productive money-making business ventures. You could be endorsing a type of juice, maybe a clothing line, clothing store, something.
This not only shows immaturity but it shows your constant need for attention and trying to hang on to what was never a top-notch career in the first place. And the only reason you’re still relevant is because of your sister, and she hasn’t exactly been tearing up the music charts herself lately. At least she isn’t silly enough to pull a stunt like this.
Although this may actually work out for him, as he has an album “Raydiation“ coming up this year, so he may get a spike in sales. I’ll say this, if and that’s if, Kanye decides to do a retaliatory diss record, bye-bye William Norwood Jr. We hardly knew ‘ye.
Onto “Big Meech” “Larry Hoova” “Rozay” or whatever he feels like calling himself. I never understood the whole hoopla about “mollies” and “oolies” and whatever else is out there. This fool had the nerve to say on his song ‘U.O.E.N.O‘, “Put Molly all in her champagne, she ain’t even know it/ I took her home and I enjoyed that, she ain’t even know it.” You can listen to the full song U.O.E.N.O by Rick Ross here.
For the man formerly known as William Roberts, this is a brain freeze moment. I understand controversy can create cash, but in a world of full of sensitive groups ranging from women’s rights to animal rights, as a celebrity you have to be careful what you say or do.
We’ve all seen it before: Kobe Bryant dropped from sneaker and soft drink endorsements after being accused of rape; Michael Vick dropped from sneaker endorsements after his dog fighting ring (not to mention being locked up for two years and nearly ostracized from the NFL); Eldrick Tont Woods, better known to us as ‘Tiger’ was dropped from Gatorade and Accenture just to name a couple after cheating on his wife.
Now Ross, has been dropped from Reebok after his fiasco. I’m sure there are several versions of the song that can be played as opposed to the aforementioned one, but that fact is he said it. This was one hiccup. He better not have anymore.
3. Whistle while you twerk
Remember when we were little we used to look in the mirror or video camera and do random things like pose, dance, make funny faces, pretending you’re a said superhero or celebrity? Well, not anymore as a tidal wave, a phenomenon, has come over our youth of today and it’s called “twerking’.
I’m sure many of you know what twerking is, but for those of you that have lived under a rock, or over the age of 50, presumably it is when you shake your a$$ uncontrollably usually to music. You can bend your knees while doing it, or stand straight up. It was a popular ‘dance’ that originated from the south during the ‘booty shaking’ music era. When I was younger and used to go to the clubs, I used to enjoy as we all do seeing women who were endowed in the rear, shaking what their momma gave them.
Along the way, something terrible happened, very terrible. Young girls (some not yet teens) started twerking. The next thing you know, people were seeing these young girls – some as young as elementary school age – on youtube. There was even a big story a couple of weeks back about a father layin’ the leather (or should I say cord) to his daughters’ rear ends for videotaping themselves twerking.
Then something happened that was even worse than the young girls twerking. This I find totally reprehensible, yet sad at the same time. And if you’re a father, you raise your boys to be strong upstanding men in society not this.
He should have gotten his tail whooped. This is the feminization of our young black boys in society taking place. You have all the impressionable children and they see celebs like LiL’ Wayne wearing jeggings. ASAP Rocky wearing a dress, LiL’ B wearing… well do we even need to say? And there is no one to stand up and say, “It’s not okay. We’re men not women…” and that is unfortunate. Maybe this phenomena will die down and we won’t be subjected to anymore twerking nonsense. As far as rappers dressing how they do, only time will tell.
4. R.I.P to real reggae music
Once upon a time you could go to a party or wat they call a “bashment” and enjoy some nice vibes. You had artists from Garnett Silk, Buju Banton, Super Cat, Spragga Benz, Shabba, Cutty Ranks, Beenie Man, Bounty Killa, etc. I could go on and on. You would be in someone’s house or basement with your choice of beverage and bop your head or grab a nice pretty thing and dance and just enjoy yourself. There were some real ragga riddims such as the ‘Pepper seed‘, ‘Showtime‘, ‘Bookshelf‘, ‘Action‘, just to name a few. Now over the last 10 years reggae has become so mainstreamed and commercialized it’s almost unrecognizable. And in my opinion, it started with Elephant Man. He had some nice tunes but half the stuff he sings about has become so buffoonish and clownish. “Over your head”, “Scooby Doo”, “Call di rain”…what?? Are you singing or giving me things to do? It seemed to me ever since he came on the scene, reggae became somewhat cartoonish.
Even the dances are silly. I don’t see an issue with whining and grinding to a song, but what is this daggering nonsense? It doesn’t even look like dancing nor does it even look enjoyable. You’re literally having a woman bent over and humping her as hard as you can with clothes on. It looks like some serious exercise. Just like hip hop music, I am afraid reggae music has suffered the same fate.
5. Is the juice really sweeter where the berry is blacker?
Charles Barkley, Karl Malone, Seal, Michael Strahan, Russell Simmons, Tiger Woods, Kobe Bryant are some examples of athletes or celebrities that have married outside their race. Sometimes I do wonder what it is they really see in Caucasian/non-black women, as opposed to African-American women. In no way am I disparaging these women, but I’m just curious. Some conspiracy theorists have coined this as ‘the depopulation of the black race.’ While this may or not be true, it seems to make some sense.
I personally have no problem marrying any race as long as I’m happy. I have a question though: Do African-American celebrities marry Caucasian women out of true love or ‘status’? Do they feel that having a Caucasian woman under their arm makes them look better in the public eye? Are African-American men intimidated by their female counterparts?
Since it has become so prevalent, sometimes you have to ask yourself why. Have you ever noticed that Caucasian women who are celebrities rarely marry African-American men? Again these are questions one has to think about.
6. I hope this whole North Korea thing doesn’t pan out
Over the last 22 years this country has been subjected to Operation Desert Shield/Storm, 9-11, Iraqi war, and not to mention bombings here and there. The Iraq war for all intents and purposes has ended and most of the troops have come home. Between George H. “dubya“, Obama and George “dubya”, I can imagine how many gallons of blood has spilled because of them. Some believe the whole thing was propaganda, some took it seriously; but all in all, this country doesn’t need anymore bloodshed, propaganda or not. There is too much going on in our city streets.
Peace
***EDITORS NOTE – To our fans and readership, sorry for the delay. Its been a rather crazy time given the recent events in Boston, so we didn’t release any new articles all of last week; but we are still here and our thoughts are with those who were affected by the tragedy. Here is the article intended for last Monday.***
Cortonio
My motto is, "Live, love and laugh". Check me out in the "Men Behind The Pen" section on OpinionatedMale.com.
27 Comments
motrenaissance
Good evening,
Plausible deniability, that is the word.
That Twerking vid broke my heart.
Now, I am all for supporting our more feminine inclined older & younger brothers. Gay or straight. .
As it stands, until I get more evidence to the contrary, gay is something you are born with.
However, when it comes to black young males, there is an concerted effort to see to it, that more young black male children act like women. That needs to be addressed. I have no idea on the first step to that. But it is a problem.
So, I am fully prepared to raise a gay son, if I am blessed to have one.
No public twerking until your 18.
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I have two takes on successful visible black men dating white women.
Black males have to date who they are compatible with.
And sistas are not up to the task in supporting a successful black male. Instead they want to exploit him more often than not. There is a certain level of class most black women don’t have.
All that being said, ABSOLUTELY , there is a conspiracy with IR dating all around. I do not know the end game, but IR dating with black people gets a lot of press.
I am all for it, because I refuse to deal with the disrespectful contemptuous vibe most sistas have for black men who are not of uber high social standing.
With all my view, as I get more information, my perspective evolves.
Cortonio
You may be right, but it’s not even so much in everyday life, it just seems that over 1/2 of the Afro American celebrities somehow choose to date Caucasian women who aren’t celebrities themselves. Like I had mentioned in the post, how many Caucasian women who are celebrities date non-celebrity Afro American men? It just seems too prevalent to go unnoticed. Just my opinion
1prettyorchid
Bingo!
Knotty Natural
“Have you ever noticed that Caucasian women who are celebrities rarely marry African-American men?”
I’d never even thought about that, but back in the day when IR wasn’t as accepted, a white woman in hollywood dating or married to a black man would get her blacklisted! I think at this point, successful white women in the public eye are considered less than or somehow tainted by dating black men. This I heard a white woman admit
Cortonio
it’s unfortunately true. it’s very seldom you see a rich white woman (especially that of celebrity status) marry y blue collared 9 to 5 Afro American man. However it is very prevalent to have an Afro American man of celebrity status hitch up with a Caucasian woman.
Fry bot
Nah bro. Reggae is not dead far from it. Stop listening to babylon radio/tv and you will find out still der some Righteous Youths keeping it natty. Rasta never die. Reggae never die
Cortonio
I just feel reggae has become way too mainstream and commercialized and it doesn’t have the same vibe as before. A few years back i went to Jamaica and even the parties THERE were different. However, I did go to one that had all of the throwback ‘riddims’ and the vibe was different. Just my humble opinion though.
Mrssega
Hmmm I have mixed feelings about our twerking section. I was with you, until you mentioned “Then something happened that was even worse than the young girls twerking. This I find totally reprehensible, yet sad at the same time” and then you went on to talk about father’s needing to raise their sons…. That turned this section from a significant inappropriate dance that kids are dancing to, to an anti gay issue. At least that’s the way I took it. It felt like a great topic that just took a wrong turn for me. I don’t think this is worse than anything. I think our youth twerking is equally wrong, male or female. How out youth represent themselves is important in general. Our children are doing things way earlier than we did and that is a constant worry fore as I raise my children
In regards to reggae. I agree with you a bit on that one. I still jam to old stuff. Have looked for new reggae and have a hard time finding the kind I like. I figured I was just not looking in the right places. Now I wonder if its just not available.
Overall, I enjoyed our article this week topics were on point for the most part. Until next time!
motrenaissance
@Mrssega
Sexuality is a very complex issue.
I will ride and die (pause) for my gay/trans brothers, and I know I have to be more informed of their existence & experience.
But there is an attack on black male masculinity, and that has been well documented by health professional.
So, it is a problem.
We can address a sensitive controversial topic without being anti-gay.
But you have to address it in layers, and leave the pre-conceived notions at home.
Mrssega
“But there is an attack on black male masculinity, and that has been well documented by health professional.”
I would love to read more about this if you can site the documentation that your reference by health professionals. Are you indicating mental health or medical health? As a mental health professional this is not an area that I see a lot of reasearch being conducted in at all, however I agree that maybe their should be. You are right, we can share sensitive controversial topics without being anti-gay. That being said, I was sharing my opinion and reaction. Its ok that it may be different from others, but it is still as valid.
Cortonio
Welcome to OM…My take on the twerking has nothing to do with gay or not gay, I just feel it’s another strategy in breaking down the masculinity and feminizing the young black youth. It has been an epidemic over the last several years. Me,personally am just not into the twerking by men period. Just my humble opinion.
Cortonio
And yes, I do agree with you it’s not just about boys, I just feel them doing it is worse, with that being said that doesn’t make young girls doing it any better
Cortonio
thanks, and keep reading.
urbanexpressive
I don’t have a problem with this young boy “twerking” because he’s a male, but because he’s underage. Young boys & girls who are able to not only view these images, but have access to record and share them in my opinion have been failed by their parents. I don’t think any particular celebrity with a gender bending aesthetic is influencing these children; maybe helping them realize it’s ok to be who they are. But that doesn’t equate to sexualizing them.
Here’s the funny thing about “artists” like Ray J & Rawse; they’re pretty much puppets of what mainstream music execs think Black music is. Once they’re out, there will be someone else shucking & jiving to take their place so long as they’re promised bling, chicken & h*es. And there will always be an audience for it. If someone wants to hear ignorant music, so be it. We all can’t be progressive; what’s missing however, is the balance as it was in say ’88- ’97.
I’m not in the mind of any of these Black celebrities; or any Black man who marries a white woman. I have no qualms about it, but I do think some of these men do it for status, or because of their own insecurities. Someone like Tiger Woods comes off as someone who wants nothing to do with being Black. So, I can see him going that route. I’d never try to change someone like that, nor would I care to.
motrenaissance
Here’s the funny thing about “artists” like Ray J & Rawse; they’re pretty much puppets of what mainstream music execs think Black music is. Once they’re out, there will be someone else shucking & jiving to take their place so long as they’re promised bling, chicken & h*es. And there will always be an audience for it. If someone wants to hear ignorant music, so be it. We all can’t be progressive; what’s missing however, is the balance as it was in say ’88- ’97.
I loved this part of the comment. A lot. I am scared to check out your tho. I don’t want to muck it up.
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As far as your IR comment. You are making the case that their are quality black women (who come from money) for these celebs to choose from, but they are stepping over these black women to go white.
And I am not ready to agree with you on that. And even if you were correct @UrbanExpressive, sistas who date non-black men don’t get the same scrutiny that black men who date out do.
As far as Tiger Woods, his mother is mostly Asian & part Dutch, and he has always dated white women
And we all know that a small percentage (5% or less) of black women would give the Tiger Woods the time of day (minus the billion dollars & celeb status)
So, y’all gotta let Tiger live!
urbanexpressive
As far as your IR comment. You are making the case that their are quality black women (who come from money) for these celebs to choose from, but they are stepping over these black women to go white.
-Well, regardless of money there are quality Black women. Especially since we outnumber Black men obtaining a higher education. I don’t see where I’m alluding these guys are stepping over Black women for a white woman. I’m sure some are, but nope, never said that. Most of the men listed in the post have at one time been linked to women of color; all except (to my knowledge Taye Diggs & Tiger Woods. Tiger Woods being biracial has never even (again, to my knowledge) been linked to an Asian woman. How many of these atheletes, who only have money because they can shoot a ball through a hole & run fast, go on to marry white women who posed for Playboy, or were strippers? Not a very prestigious or “quality” woman. Again, I have no problems with interracial relationships, but I’d bet quite a few of thesw guys do it for some status or advancement.
motrenaissance
I am trying to put this the right place, just delete when you get these.
Thank you
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@UrbanExpressive
-Well, regardless of money there are quality Black women.
I added the financial component for a reason, because once you get your finances up, and you want to maintain a certain lifestyle, you cannot just date any ole body. And your educational attainment isn’t a solid indicator of quality, I would be more concerned what neighborhood said woman grew up in (suburbs vs. urban vs. trailer park)
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Especially since we outnumber Black men obtaining a higher education.
That is nice, but educational attainment doesn’t mean much especially when only 1/5 max of the black community has a degree. And of those degrees black women have, are they degrees that can really pull in income. I digress.
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I don’t see where I’m alluding these guys are stepping over Black women for a white woman. I’m sure some are, but nope, never said that.
I was just reading between that lines, and using deductive reasoning.
Because in order to make a case to say that “well, he just wants a white woman”, you would need compatible quality black women of equal stature to make your case.
I am saying that if there were quality black women to choose from, that made themselves available to these men, I think this convo would be a moot point.
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Most of the men listed in the post have at one time been linked to women of color; all except (to my knowledge Taye Diggs & Tiger Woods. Tiger Woods being biracial has never even (again, to my knowledge) been linked to an Asian woman.
I would make the argument that these men are more COMPATIBLE with middle-upper class white women or “black women who stereotypically tend to act like middle class white women”
I think I would be right more than I would be wrong.
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How many of these atheletes, who only have money because they can shoot a ball through a hole & run fast,
They can do this better than 98% of people in the entire world. If you were the best at something @UrbanExpressive, we would pay you too. Stop the shade, lol.
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go on to marry white women who posed for Playboy, or were strippers? Not a very prestigious or “quality” woman.
Your version of quality is not heir version of quality.
What you find valuable in a mate is not the same as what they find value in a mate.
As long as they take care of their children, that they procreate, they should be able to screw who they want within relative peace
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Again, I have no problems with interracial relationships,
I agree with that, you did not give me any indication that you have an issue with IR dating.
What is very telling is that we would take sistas to task on IR dating the way we take brothas.
And I add on to the fact some brothas are just not compatible with most black women.
Both of these issue need to be addressed, and black people need to be more supportive of the black men & women who choose to fid love elsewhere. Especially black women when it comes to black dating IR.
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but I’d bet quite a few of thesw guys do it for some status or advancement.
We can agree to disagree on this, but I have to ask.
As a black man, What kind of “status or advancement” I would get for dating white woman?
Out of all the interracial pairings, in America (white men & black women)
Black men & white women make Americans the most uncomfortable. So, go figure
Goodnight UE
Cortonio
I’m not necessarily saying it’s like that among everyday people, but it seems like when it comes to Hollywood you see it so often. Wealthy black men who are seemingly marrying Caucasian women who aren’t in their socioeconomic status, but how often is it reversed? Is Jessica Biel with a blue collar Afro American? Katherine Heigl? Gwen Stefani? Julia Stiles? Aliyson Hannigan? Kirsten Dunst? leslie Mann? These are all A-list celebrities. I do understand you can’t help who you fall in love with but it’s just something to think about that’s all.
Cortonio
I totally agree they are all puppets…And the musical balance is missing, back in the late 80’s early 90’s you had your hip hoppers, (de la soul, MC hammer, Black sheep) gangsta rappers,( NWA, ‘Dre, Snoop, etc) and conscious rappers (tribe called quest, Poor righteous teachers, Guru) Now it seems everyone says the same thing, same theme, beats, it’s all robotic to me.
Cortonio
I was stressing more so Hollywood because it seems that a lot of Afro American celebrities seem to get with your average Caucasian woman not in their socioeconomic status or another Caucasian celebrity. I understand you can’t help who you fall in love with but how often is that vice versa? Look at Jennifer Aniston, Sarah Jessica Parker, Susan Srandon, jAngelina Jolie, leslie Mann, Gwen Stefani, Kirsten Dunst just to name a few ‘A-List’ celebrities aren’t linked to blue collar Afro Americans. it’s just something that makes you go hmmm…
Aly
Hmm, I don’t agree that boys are becoming more feminine, Cortonio. If anything, they’re still socialized to be TOO “masculine”. You used Wayne, A$AP Rocky and Lil B as examples. If you’re just focused on how they dress I suppose you could make a case that their clothing is feminine, but that’s still debatable imo.
What about their song lyrics though? I just Googled some of them (I had no idea who A$AP Rocky and Lil B were – I think this officially makes me old) and found that their songs are full of lyrics we’ve come to associate with hypermasculinity – guns, fuck!ng hoes, violence.
I don’t condone the twerking video at all, but the issue isn’t boys acting too “feminine”. The issue is giving boys the space to explore other sides of their personalities & sexuality (not the physical act, but rather gender identity) in a healthy way.
urbanexpressive
One more thing regarding Black men dating white women, especially if they’re celebrities or successful: I think usually these men are from very humble & Southern beginnings. Meaning segregated. They make it big, move to the big city and mingle with people they never could have, never been exposed to, and/or told it was just plain wrong. These men aren’t always sophisticated; they made it by default and then do what they think they should do; disassociate themselves from Black women. But again, not all. If it’s true love, that is awesome. If it isn’t; great. One less feeble-minded person I have to avoid to get to the real thing.
onetraeh
well…I had to look up wht twerking is although I’ve heard of it;daggering I’ve seen it in the clubs & idk if it’s just me either but I think it looks ridiculous & not really dancing @ all.interracial dating…I think it’s most of the time not much more complicated than opposites attract & honestly I feel srry for people who r not open minded (especially women;lawd knows it’s hard out here) becuz it makes your pool so much smaller.I’m not understanding the status thing of dating white tht I hear black people talk about @ all;honestly I’ve dated black men,they like me pretty good.I grew up poor & so did they & still looking for a come up;I can swing white too tho but I’m just saying do these status cards come with any money & who is handing out the status?also I think I read somewhere tht tiger woods kind of grew up in the burbs around a lot of white people so maybe he never knew he was black?or he just relates more to white culture idk.just one example
Mr SoBo
A bit surprised to see you have never heard of twerking until this post. So long as you have online access its virtually inescapable.
Welcome to the OM by the way.
onetraeh
I’m old.& I’ve seen people talk about it in blogs & stuff but I didn’t know wht it looks like basically but now I watched a video.your welcome is very belated compared to everybody elses welcomes on your blog but I guess I accept
Mr SoBo
“your welcome is very belated compared to everybody elses welcomes on your blog but I guess I accept”
Thanks for understanding.
Lashantae
the brand of music that elephant man does is mainly dancehall not reggae. Artists like luciano, any of the marleys, morgan heritage and etc are what are considered reggae artists.