Sellouts?

RedefinedDiva · #1 05-18-2002, 05:01 PM

OK, OK. I confess.... I WATCH OH DRAMA! I know that a lot of you ladies may hate the show, and I admit that I used to hate it too. I am not too particular about it now even. But I must say that some nights there are interesting topics being discussed on the show. That's where I got the idea for this thread.

The show discussed what is a sellout and what makes you a sellout. There was this guy on the show that did a "scientific study" for a book called "The Sellout Diaries." It claims that "a sellout is one that (a) does something to bring harm to his race, culture, etc., (b) dates outside of his/her race, and/or does things that would be uncharateristic of his/her race."

Johnnie Cochran's daughter was on there because she was labled as sellout for dating white men. You can also be labeled as a sellout for being Republican. There is also a list of "sellout cities." If you are an African-American and you live in some of these cities, you are a sellout. The list goes on and on.

What do you think about "sellouts?" Is there such a thing? What do you consider a sellout?

Serenity · #2 05-18-2002, 05:58 PM

RedefinedDiva, I really don't know what makes someone a sellout. According to some, almost anything you do is selling out: moving out of the old neighborhood into a better one, higher education, the way one chooses to speak, wearing colored eye contacts, dying your hair blonde, wearing a weave, perms, etc. IMO, some of the people who are so concerned about "keeping it real" (according to their definition of sellouts

) are the ones that are selling us all out.

IMHO, I think this book will serve no other purpose but to perpetuate more negative stereotypes and further divide an already divided people. Crabs in a barrel, crabs in a barrel...

Interesting topic!

Steeltrap · #3 05-18-2002, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by RedefinedDiva
OK, OK. I confess.... I WATCH OH DRAMA! I know that a lot of you ladies may hate the show, and I admit that I used to hate it too. I am not too particular about it now even. But I must say that some nights there are interesting topics being discussed on the show. That's where I got the idea for this thread.

The show discussed what is a sellout and what makes you a sellout. There was this guy on the show that did a "scientific study" for a book called "The Sellout Diaries." It claims that "a sellout is one that (a) does something to bring harm to his race, culture, etc., (b) dates outside of his/her race, and/or does things that would be uncharateristic of his/her race."

Johnnie Cochran's daughter was on there because she was labled as sellout for dating white men. You can also be labeled as a sellout for being Republican. There is also a list of "sellout cities." If you are an African-American and you live in some of these cities, you are a sellout. The list goes on and on.

What do you think about "sellouts?" Is there such a thing? What do you consider a sellout?

I understand that you're new to the GC world. There is a thread titled "Sell Out???" that is similar -- how about reviving that thread?

Or did you not read the Pearls of Wisdom that were provided by the moderators?

Honeykiss1974 · #4 05-18-2002, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Serenity

IMHO, I think this book will serve no other purpose but to perpetuate more negative stereotypes and further divide an already divided people. Crabs in a barrel, crabs in a barrel...

AMEN!!!

TLAW · #5 05-19-2002, 12:47 AM

... seems like another pointless exercise that just ostracizes more of our people. Ridiculous. So one has to move to a "blacker" city, or vote for a Democrat regardless of reputation (like Gary Condit) to make sure that one is labeled the life-ending term, "sellout. I couldn't agree more with Serenity. Someone tell me, what is "black" behavior? I want to know, so as not to embarrass my people.

AKA_Monet · #6 05-19-2002, 04:41 PM

There may be a previous topic but it labeled differently, so when one searches the word "sellout", it brings up 50 different topics unrelated to this discussion...

I certainly hope that this person who did a scientific study and wrote a book got his degree so that he can be a part of the sellout crew, too!!!

Dubya Bush sold the amerikkklan public out when he let those hijackers stick planes thru buildings for a corrupted energy deregulation (i.e. Enron) and an oil pipeline (i.e. Mr. Shell and Mr. ChevronTexaco)... Sooo, how does that label him?

On top of that, even if accused of crime with circumstantial evidence doesn't stop one from being imprisoned, convicted or on def row... And ain't nunna us wanna be in that position (pun intended) to be in nobody's cage... So just 'cuz most of OUR bruhs and sistahs are locked up, does that mean I gotta be? Or does that make me a sellout when I choose to "render unto Caesar"...

And this issue with ignorant folks spoutin' off at the mouth 'bout inane topics such as selling out--meaning the scientific study guy--and he did a qualitative survey that most folks lie on--not any skerrrrioussss chemical breakdown with 1000s of human subjects--is that it all stems from a personal hate...

You cannot discuss the betterment of people of Afrikan descent until you discuss the liberation of one's soul, mind and body... Liberation is key... So if this person's book doesn't put in into the context of Afrikan Liberation, my question is, what war is he plan on fighting... 'Cuz worrying 'bout sellout negroes is the least of the issues--it's more about who is gonna go into mortal kombat with the Devil...

The Original Ape · #7 05-19-2002, 11:07 PM

I think there are alot of African-American sellouts. Remember yall; that's how we got here. Even today, we have people "comin' up" by sellin' crack and other drugs to our own people, robbin' and stealin' from our own, rattin' each other out, killing each other over THE DUMBEST SHYT, and holdin' each other down in employment because of the rampant fear we have of ourselves and our people. Why should any other race respect us if we don't respect our own? How can they trust us if we can't trust our own?

Riley · #8 05-20-2002, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Serenity
RedefinedDiva, I really don't know what makes someone a sellout. According to some, almost anything you do is selling out: moving out of the old neighborhood into a better one, higher education, the way one chooses to speak, wearing colored eye contacts, dying your hair blonde, wearing a weave, perms, etc. IMO, some of the people who are so concerned about "keeping it real" (according to their definition of sellouts ) are the ones that are selling us all out.

IMHO, I think this book will serve no other purpose but to perpetuate more negative stereotypes and further divide an already divided people. Crabs in a barrel, crabs in a barrel...

Interesting topic!

I agree with this. For some people just b/c you don't listen to rap,wear your clothes a certain way and live in da 'hood you are a sellout. A lot of peole have limited vision of the world around them. They can't relate outside the immediate world them. These people are often the most negative. And from what I see, the peole who are usually deemed sellouts are usually those who are well-eduated, well-groomed i.e. Gen.Powell, Oprah. Just b/c they can relate to all races and vice versa some see them as not really being black. However, they have worked and struggled against many obstacles that a lot of lazy a$$es could not even imagine!