I rarely keep up with celebs. I don't follow too many, even on social media. I don't frequently read books written by celebs. I read the other stuff, you know written by writers lol. I don't pull inspiration from those who are constantly in the public eye. I don't really know why. I guess, I have always understood that there is very little difference between THEM and US. And the differences that do exists, the Kanye's and Kim's who single themselves out, often annoy boil down to ego. I think the real reason that I don't busy myself with celebs is because I am much more interested in the local celeb: the man/woman who may never get there 15 minutes but are endlessly dope. I get my inspiration from the Aunties and Uncles of the community.
But, today, all that changed. I watched an in-depth interview with La La Anthony and was not only surprised but was inspired. Yep, I said it. Me, the anti-hypist, was inspired by a Celeb, Basketball Wife, Mogul. Now, it's no secret that Anthony is pretty dope. Her long list of accomplishments have been pretty public for years. She has come so far and we've gotten a great seat for the action. But prior to today, I had never actually listened to Anthony speak about her success. (Yeah, I know she has a reality TV show. I don't watch it.) When I took the time to hear what was actually in La La's mind, she blew me away. So many celebs take on the air of "I'm just living my life." Even Anthony said it. But this woman, La La Anthony, has chosen to acknowledge and accept the responsibility of her celebrity. Because she is courageous enough to live for others, I'm going to go get her book; I'm gong to start watching her show; She will have a new follower on all social media. I'm doing all that, not because she dresses well, but because she thinks well too. It's so hard to find a successful woman, with a man, and a kid, and some sense! Really, its a struggle. But after watching 30 minutes of Anthony talk, I realized that her story is one that I need to know. The video literally speaks for itself. Check it out here!
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When I first saw the ad for "Black-ish" pass me on the side of a bus, I knew. I knew that the show would have a hard time proving itself to people like me; people who, first of all, are critical off all TV, (especially sitcoms that presented themselves to "keep it real" for Blacks.); folks who are products of families who defied racial boundaries, but never EVER had to question our "blackness"; but more importantly, people who are well versed in the discourse of African American reality. If you have no clue what I'm talking about, get caught up. Today's Prompt is I Thought About It! And don't laugh, but I really have painted an entire scenario of what my life would be like if I was a man for one day! I have thought about it and here's why. One day, after watching a rerun of Scandal I made a declaration, "Oh, if I had a penis for a day." As I watched Olivia Pope secure Fitz professional career after she had a complicated meeting with him, it became clear; Men live by completely different standards than women. Men have a completely different experience. As I do with many matters, I went to my mom, Mama Daisy. We both decided we would only need 24 hours of the experience. So here's how my day would look.
7 am- Wake up and scratch my balls. (I would probably marvel at myself for a while, honestly.) My mother laughingly said she would put her leg on a chair just to boast about herself. HA! This is a little inappropriate, but did you really expect me to leave this out?! 8 am- Shower and leave the house! I would have to get my day started early. I've only got 16 more hours of manhood. 9 am-12 pm- I would get breakfast up North in a very Caucasian restaurant, flirt with the waitress and experience what it is like to be a menace just because I am Black and a Man. I would find some woman to woo during this period too. 1 pm- I would drive around for an hour waiting to be pulled over. If I am left alone, I would gain more hope for my community. If, as expected, I am pulled over for a "rolling stop," I wouldn't be phased. I am, after all, a Black man. *I would wear a sweatshirt and sag for the first half of my day. I would like to know what it is like to be educated and Christian and be stereotyped as a thug.* 2 pm- I would change into much more appropriate clothes for an educated man, like a suit or a fitted slacks. I would then go to the Southside of Chicago and stand on the corner. I would avoid the areas where Black men dressed in slacks at all cost. 3-7 pm- I would spend my evening confounding the stereotypes of Black men, the ones we put on ourselves. I would also find a woman to woo during this period too. 8 pm- Now, I'm sure that most folks would expect me to find a bar or a club. BUT, I would go to a church. I would find out how many thots frequent the Lord's house. I would also fight off these fiendish women with the proclamation that I am abstinent. I would see how many church hoes would try to change that. 10 pm-12 am- I would spend my last hours as a man writing a book about all the times I was accused, accosted, and stereotyped. I would also talk about the many women I wooed during this period too. The next day I would chronicle my day as a woman and compare the difference between my male perspective and my female perspective. I mean, I was just thinking! Haha What would you do as a man? |
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More About MkMk is 23 year old Chicagoan. She attended Howard University in Washington, D.C., studying English. Now back in Chicago, Mk has focused on writing her truths. Outside of ATS, she also writes on Youth Alert, a blog for young Christian believers. Mk is also a stylist at Akira Hyde Park. When she isn't working on the Mag, Youth Alert, or at Akira, Mk is with her family, she spends her time with a good book or cooking.
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