Birth Right

No introduction to this one so I will just get right on it.

Here's why I'm mad:

Apparently a whole host of folks are disputing whether President-Elect Barack Obama is legally eligible to be sworn in as our 44th President because of where he was born. The Constitution makes it explicitly clear that only a natural-born citizen of the United States of America is eligible to become President of this country. There are many people who have filed lawsuits questioning whether President-Elect Obama is rightfully eligible to be president.

Although his birth certificate has been refurbished by the state of Hawaii, they are still disputing it, saying it is not the real thing. President-Elect Obama has not physically shown his *birth certificate, but they scanned a copy and that still was not good enough. Not only is Obama's camp lying, but so is the state of Hawaii.

I think people need to really check themselves and stop eating sour grapes.

*Obama's birth certificate was physically shown to factcheck.org, who has legitimized that it is a real, undoctored document, with a raised seal and everything. Factcheck.org is lying too.

Problems

Everyone has them. Some days your problems are all manageable, other days they seem insurmountable- you just cannot get around them. There are days when I love my job, there are days when I hate it. There are days when the money I have is more than enough; others, not so much. That is just the way the cookie crumbles.

Just like everyone, I too get upset, I get angry and I "cop" an attitude. What is worse is sometimes there is no inherent reason for feeling this way. You are just angry because... well, just because.

Here's why I'm mad:

Do not, I repeat, DO NOT take your bad attitude out on other people. It is not fair and it is not right. If you want to trip, fine, but keep it to yourself.

I get angry... often. Maybe it is my passive aggressive nature, but I tend (or try) to keep it to myself. The main reason being I know I will snap if I open my mouth. We all have our bad days. It happens. The train came late, you and your man/girl got into a fight, your car stalled- things that you do not have control over. What you can control however, is the way you chose to react to all these different problems. I am tired of people snapping because their day is not going right. Guess what? That is not my problem.

However you chose to deal with your anger, punch a wall, shout to ten, whatever, that is your business. Just make sure I am not around. If I am around, be careful not to take your anger out on me because I just might return the favor.

This is life people and things happen. My advice to you- get a grip.

'Tis the Season

I need a gun. A big one. One that is going to blow the roof off this joint, but before the government flags me as a terrorist, hear me out.

Here's why I'm mad:

Recently, well actually a few months ago, Congress passed a $700 billion dollar bailout plan to the banks. Fine. They needed it. The economy needed it. Most importantly, the people needed it.

Fast forward to this week and another bailout bill was passed- well it is on the table right now. The auto industry, Ford, Chrysler and GM, decided they need handouts as well. Talk about Mr. Me Too.

The big three, as they have been appropriately named, flew to Washington, D.C. on their private jets, making a mockery of the entire situation. One of the CEOs, when asked if he would receive a salary of $1 as a symbolic gesture, said, "I'm okay where I'm at". Really? And we are? Even though you make millions annually?

The only reason why I am considering the bailout a good idea is because there are thousands of employees' jobs at stake. Otherwise, they do not deserve it. The big three made another trip to Washington, D.C. (sans private jet) and begged...er... asked again for another bailout. The $14 billion bill was approved in the House and by the White House, but "not I" said the Senate. And for once, I am actually agreeing with the GOPs. Good for you guys for digging in your heels and demanding some reciprocity.

The game of gimme gimme gimme has been played long enough. Now it is time to give give give. What are you going to GIVE in order to GET this money? Sacrifices have to be made, but no one is willing.

Until they come to a better resolution, someone, get my gun. These big three need to learn a lesson. Quick.

Black Men

I love Black men. I would love to sit here and tell you I love them in all their different shapes and sizes, but I would be lying. However, what I love most about them is the different shades they come in. You can never go wrong with the classic tall, dark, and handsome, but I have dated some light skinned-brothers that were quite fine, as well as a few caramel and milk-chocolate brothers. I will take them with dreads, a close fade, braids, does not matter. The fact is I will take them. Point blank. End of discussion.

I went out with a good friend of mine the other day and the place was filled with... you guessed it: brothers. To be more specific, brothers in suits. By the way, whoever came up with Happy Hour is a genius. We looked at these suave, debonair brothers and knew this was a good thing. Of course the fine, suave brothers never approach us but that is neither here nor there. Sometimes just looking at the forbidden fruit is better than tasting it.

Here's why I'm mad:

Nice, good looking man wearing a suit...

...and a Mohawk.

What black man has a corporate job and a Mohawk?

Men, you are not in college or high school where you are able to go with the flow in regards to fashion trends. Dress appropriately and more importantly, look your age. Just because P. Diddy did it does not mean that you can. News flash- it did not look good on him. Or Musiq. Or Chris Brown. What makes you think it will look good on you?

Unless you are Mr. T, do us and yourself a favor and leave the Mohawks alone.

Giving Thanks

I love Thanksgiving. It is not my favorite holiday (Easter is), but it certainly is up there. Thanksgiving is a great holiday for many reasons. The abundance of food is the most obvious and for a Jamaican family like mine, it is the most important. This year we had an array of Jamaican dishes: mutton (curried goat), eschoviche fish, etc. We also had non-Jamaican food items as well like macaroni and cheese, potato salad, and coconut shrimp. There were all kinds of deserts- banana nut bread, ice cream cake, and of course pudding (it is not a Jamaican Thanksgiving without pudding or black cake).

Of course there are other reasons why this is a fantastic holiday. We are able to give thanks for our many blessings, for life, for family and friends, etc. The days off are not bad and can someone say "Black Friday"? But besides all this, the food is what most people look forward to! No expenses are spared for Thanksgiving dinner. It is hands down the biggest feast of the year.

Here's why I'm mad:

I had a stomach virus.

Need I say more?

While I am on the Subject

Expectations. We all have them, as we should. Expectations, depending on the bar in which they are set, prevent us from dealing with, listening to, dating and becoming friends with mediocrity. I expect my man to be fine. I expect my man to have a degree. I expect to have intelligent conversation with my peers. I expect to be mentally stimulated. I expect people to be who they say they are.

I do not just expect things of others. I expect a lot from myself. I will not lower my standards for others if I set the bar high for myself. I expect to graduate with another degree. I expect to be successful. I expect to NEVER settle for anything less than what I am worth.

Here's why I'm mad:

People have drastically lowered their expectations with the music industry. I am still trying to figure out who is Soulja Boy, Plies, and all these random artist with the sir name "Lil" and why they have record deals. I do not expect to be someone's bust it baby. I do not expect some man to all of a sudden become superman when he is with me. If you think I will buy the please excuse my hands line, then you must not have expected the slap that is sure to follow.

Now, I am not perfect. I have gotten silly and even walked it out a few times, but for the most part, I will not subject myself to tomfoolery. I mean really, the birdwalk?! Is this what is hot in the streets? If so, WHY?! And who comes up with this stuff?!

We need to expect more from not only ourselves, but these artists, who whether we like it or not, represent us. They are what people see when they turn on the TV. They are what people hear when they turn on their radio.

If these artists do not expect much from themselves, then maybe I am wrong for expecting anything of them.

::shrugs::

Someone has to.

I am a Hater

Or so I have been told. I was watching the AMAs with my family on Sunday and for the most part, it was pretty good. I especially loved the last performance by Alicia Keys, featuring Queen Latifah and Kathleen Battle. I missed the Jonas Brothers and Beyonce, but I am pretty sure I did not miss much (I believe if you have seen one Beyonce performance, you have seen them all).

For the most part, everyone who won, deserved it. I do not think A.Keys, as much as I love her, should have won the first award she received for best pop/rock album. Since when is A.Keys pop or rock?

Anyway, all in all, it was a good night... Until I got into it with my family. The argument ended with my mother telling me, if I do not have anything good to say, then I should shut my mouth, which I did, right before I out of the room, fuming (she apologized later).

Here's why I'm mad:

I, like everyone else, am entitled to my opinions. I do not have to like or support all these people who have record deals. Just because a singer or artist is popular does not mean I too must join in with the opinion of the masses. I am not, nor have I ever been a fan of Beyonce, Rihanna, Brandy, Ashanti, or any of these other main street artists. That does not mean that I do not respect their talent (except for Rihanna who I feel does not have much, and Ashanti who does not have any), it just means that they are not my style.

In voicing my opinions on various artists, my family deemed me a hater. Oh well, fine by me. I will continue to not like Beyonce or Rihanna or whomever else. The people who I do like, I support. I am a picky eater. I am a choosy lover. And I am very particular about my music. People may not like the artists that I am fond of (Ne-Yo, Jazmine Sullivan, Sara Bareilles, Robin Thicke, etc.), but I would not venture to call them haters. The artists I like just are not their cup of tea. And I am fine with that.

If you feel because I do not like certain artists then I am a hater, fine go ahead. I will wear that hat proudly if it represents my refusal to lower my standards where music is concerned. I will continue to support artists who actually have talent, appreciate and take time to hone their craft.

You should probably think about doing the same.