Some people will steal the stink out of shi.....

[onesavvydiva]

Okay ya'll...now I know I haven't been around lately, but I really wanted to get this comment in on the commercial break from the MTV music awards.

Doesn't it trip you out that white people will steal so many of "our" moves, and sayings and styles. To me, it really irks me...BE YOURSELF... What triggered all of this...N'Sync's performance. 'Dem white boys brought back the "butterfly"...what was that??? Then didn't he say something about it's time to get on the floor, if you want a "HOT BOY" don't look no more!! UUUURRRRGHHHH!!!

Is Nothing Sacred??? Please...some things just get to me...and on the preshow when the guy was interviewing Nellie and he kept saying "Bro"....just be yourself!!! Anyway, just wanted to vent...I don't feel like I am missing anything, if I am...Mtv will play it like 90 times before the weekend is out anyway....

Until later

Peace....Love...NAPPINESS

[NUPE4LIFE]

I didn't know that dancing was a black thing. I didn't know that black people have a copyright on the word hot boy. I also didn't know that it's a federal offense if a white person uses the term bro. I will agree that sometimes white people try to patronize the hip-hop culture. Frankly, I'm flattered when they (whites, or other ethnic groups for that matter) emulate african american culture and traditions. It means that we're doing something right and that we got it going on for sure. As long as they respect it and don't take it lightly, I have no problem with it. More power to them. And I'm out!

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KAPPA ALPHA PSI FRATERNITY, INC.
SPR 97
XI LAMBDA

[This message has been edited by NUPE4LIFE (edited September 07, 2000).]

[LadyAKA]

I understand both points, 'onesavvydiva' it does make me mad when I see our moves or even our slang used by others and NUPE4LIFE I feel that I am justified in this feeling because when I do see other ethnic groups (including the white peeps) they seem to use the moves and the language and not know the background or have respect for it. BUT U R right we did not patent it and it is not FUBU wear (even though they got that on too).
One example is people picking up the N word that we as black folks love to use but hate when others do it, and they simply say it or do it because we do ... now that's work irks me .... they seem to be playing a game of monkey SEE monkey DO!!!!!
That's just my opinion, can you see where I am getting with this??

[Interested_Lady]

Diva I completely understand where you are coming from. Nupe I don't understand your logic, but I can respect your opinion. All I can say is that history is in the process of repeating itself. It happened 40 years ago, and it's about to happen again:-(

Interested_Lady

[AKAtude]

Onesavvydiva, I understand your feelings on this subject. I think what bothers me is when someone from the black community comes up with something like a dance or slang, it is considered stupid or ridiculous until a white person picks it up and runs with it. Then, all of a sudden it is "cool" and mainstream and everyone is telling us to "talk to the hand," "get to steppin'," or saying "you go, girl."

But why are they always five years late when they do pick these things up?!?!

[mizzkes]

I agree with you onesavvydiva. I find it intriguing. The thing that bothers me is that they (caucasians) are always saying that they don't like black people then they turn around and try to be like us. I mean, the first sunny day in Tallahassee, you can go over to FSU and you can't see the grass for all of the caucasians laying out tanning. Why emulate something that you disdain?

[This message has been edited by mizzkes (edited September 08, 2000).]

[NUPE4LIFE]

I must add, that onesavvydiva has made some valid points to which I agree. I was just coming from the perspective that not all white people hate us and mock our culture. And several people have mentioned whites who wanna be black by emulating us. If you wanna go there, we can't forget about some of us who are breaking their necks to be like them too. Peace out. And much black love and power!

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KAPPA ALPHA PSI FRATERNITY, INC.
SPR 97
XI LAMBDA

[The Original Ape]

Originally posted by onesavvydiva:
Okay ya'll...now I know I haven't been around lately, but I really wanted to get this comment in on the commercial break from the MTV music awards.

Doesn't it trip you out that white people will steal so many of "our" moves, and sayings and styles. To me, it really irks me...BE YOURSELF... What triggered all of this...N'Sync's performance. 'Dem white boys brought back the "butterfly"...what was that??? Then didn't he say something about it's time to get on the floor, if you want a "HOT BOY" don't look no more!! UUUURRRRGHHHH!!!

Is Nothing Sacred??? Please...some things just get to me...and on the preshow when the guy was interviewing Nellie and he kept saying "Bro"....just be yourself!!! Anyway, just wanted to vent...I don't feel like I am missing anything, if I am...Mtv will play it like 90 times before the weekend is out anyway....

Until later

Peace....Love...NAPPINESS

How's the saying go: "Imitation is the highest form of flattery." If the art form/cultural characteristic is attractive, people will adopt it. It makes me feel dam good to be African-American. Now if we can give them something else besides the arts to immitate us at....

[Ania]

"Imitation is the highest form of flattery. If the art form/cultural characteristic is attractive, people will adopt it. It makes me feel dam good to be African-American."
I have to admit, when I see and hear things like this, I'm usely upset at the fact that there is never any recongnition to African-Americans. Or that our style of whatever wasn't good enough until Britney Spears, N Sync or whoever came along.

However, you think that white people imitating blacks throws you for aloop. My good friend from Japan was showing me pictures of her hometown and OOOHHH MY DEAR! Did I not see Japanese kids wearing FUBU, baggy pants, and sporting dreads or cornrolls! Yes, MY JAW HIT THE FLOOR! My friend told me that, the same thing happens in Japan. I also saw some Japanese girls with blonde hair and SUPER dark skin and others with braids and dark skin. I'm not sure if their trying to be Pamela Anderson, Tyra Banks, or YO-YO! So I guess if imitation is flattery, I'm flattered.

[LadyAKA]

Okay if we go with the flattery thing then okay I am somewhat Flattered!! But 'Nupe4Life', I see your point about some of us breaking our neck to be like them. I, myself have done the weaves and such to make my hair appear longer, not that this is a white thing, but you see all the models with long hair and we (me too) think that is cute, but hey where did it come from ... European styles that's where. So, I see both sides, but back to respect - They pick up our dialect and our style of dress and attitude and haven't a clue where it came from and why ... (still upsets me)!!!!

[onesavvydiva]

NUPE4LIFE...hey, you know I always expect that you'll bring another side of the argument to the table...I really enjoy you input and I agree with you to a certain extent. Maybe I didn't verbalize what I was trying to say because I was so rushed. The SF stated EXACTLY what I was getting at...what I don't like about it is that when we do it...it is considered trash, uneducated, slang, ebonics,...and when they pick up on it, recycle it and such...it the "newest craze"! I was flipping through the channels and on MTVs TRL that's all they were talking about is NSync's performance. What did they do that black people haven't been doing for years.

I know I might make some enemies by saying the following...but ya'll know I am going to say it anyway. Everybody is so up in arms and upset about the things that Eminem says and does. What is new about his lyrics that some "hard-core" African-American rapper hasn't already said. It's just the fact that it is a nice looking(not grungy) white kid saying...this man has the Gay and Lesbian community pairing up the the Church to boycott his records!!! Why are so many people making a big deal about it? My opinion is that when it's a black rapper/artist who says something negative not as many people notice or have much to say about it. But when a white guy comes out with some of the same lyrics...everybody is concerned with "what is music coming to". Please don't get me wrong...I don't dislike white people or any GROUP of people for that matter. But some things just rub me the wrong way.

It is true that "imitation is the highest form of flattery", but if someone imitates me, and they get more attention for "being me", than I do...I feel a little cheated.

Peace, Love, and Nappiness

[onesavvydiva]

Sorry for the double post, but I had something to add.

As far as the word "bro" goes. My point is simply.."Be Yourself". When he's talking to Nellie he is like...Bro this, and Bro that...and then he's talking to Red Hot Chili Peppers and he's like...Dude this, and Dude that! THat's what I mean...I don't like when people try to identify with me by speaking in slang. I don't like it in person, and I don't like it when I see it done on TV. Do you thing that I may not understand you if you aren't like calling me "sistergirl" or what have you. Perfect example, my Pharmacist-in-Charge was talking to me...and she's trying to tell me to go see "Scary Movie" and in her little Vallygirl, Clueless voice she says "Sistergirl, it was sooo funny...Are you and your homegirls going to go see it?" And she only talks like that to me...I am NOT saying that we OWN the language...but if that isn't WHO you are, don't use it...it is condescending and it's not flattering in that context. Now this is my personal opinion, and just one of my personal pet peeves. I am sure that I am forgetting something, so I will probably be back

Thanks for all of the positive comments...keep it flowing, I love to hear different perspectives.

[DoggyStyle82]

Originally posted by onesavvydiva:
keep it flowing, I love to hear different perspectives.

As for N'SYNCH, Backstreet Boys, Brittany Spears, and Christina Aguilera, they all have Black choreographers. The lead singer for N'SYNCH grew up on Black culture. He wants his group to emulate New Edition and Boys to Men. Was Teena Marie trying to be Black? Pop music and pop culture always has appropriated African American sub-culture. After they catch on to what we have done for years, they sanitize to their cultural standards and sensitivities and lo and behold, Little Richard becomes Elvis and Pat Boone, Bo Diddley becomes the Rolling Stones, B.B. King becomes Eric Clapton, New Edition becomes New Kids on the Block, Brandy begets Brittany and Monica begets Cristina Aguilera. Fashion can be imitated, language comes from cultural interaction
(and white women watching Oprah). Because it is cool now to be ghetto, white people think that they are down. Every white kid under 15 listens to mostly Hip Hop, thats where they are picking up on the fashion, hair, language and culture. BUT I DO HATE TO BE PATRONIZED!!! Speak to me like you speak to eveyone else.

[ZChi4Life]

What's up all!

This is an interesting topic. I'm not sure about this. I see and can relate to both sides of the topic.
Let's start w/ the way some white folks have adopted "black" slang, dance, dress, etc.
I think for me, it annoys me when you see white folks trying to adopt things black folks do and you KNOW that they are doing it cuz they think it's cool or so they can be down or something to that effect.
On the other hand, there are white people that grow up around blacks, go to school w/ all blacks, etc and that's just what they are accustomed to. For example, my first boyfriend was white. However, you would've thought he was a black person cuz of the way he spoke (accent and dialect), the way he dressed, etc. For him, it just seemed to be natural. It wasn't like he was doing it to fit in or look cool. That was how he was 24/7 all becuz of his environment.

I have to agree that I do feel flattered when white people adopt things from our culture and can really try to relate to us and aren't "acting black" cuz they think it's sweet or the like. But when whites try to do what blacks do and it comes out all weird sounding, then I get upset. It's like don't do it/say it, if you are doing/saying it for popularity reasons and cool points. That's not cute.
On another quick note, I don't like it at all when whites use the N word--whether they say it naturally or not. Hell, I don't like it when black people use it! I wouldn't just go around calling people a derogatory term. It's just uncouth to me.

As for these teeny boppers (as I like to call them) such as Nsync, Christina, etc, it's true that they have black choreographers and others that are helping their careers. In fact, Nsync's choreographer came up w/ them when they won one of their VMAs. He's the guy on the Soul Food series. Anyway, I think for them, if that's something that they grew up doing (i.e. dancing and listening to black artists, etc) then naturally, they will probably try to imitate that. It's just like Brandy wanting to imitate Whitney. She went on and on about Whitney being her idol when she got in the biz and you can tell that she tries to imitate her style and such.

I don't know. I personally enjoyed Nsync's performance. They obviously worked hard cuz them boys were on point! I've never seen white people dance that well before. They were on beat and they got their gig on! I feel like hey, they were at least doing it right. But if they were butterflying or whatever and were all off beat, then I'd be like "why try to do it and not do it right?"

sorry this is long. I hope that all made some kind of sense

[This message has been edited by ZChi4Life (edited September 09, 2000).]

[LadyAKA]

DoggyStyle82 I like your "to the point" comment, and I am starting to see both sides of the picture here. Thanks