Of course I’ve never been to Freaknik. Of COURSE not. I didn’t go to an HBCU and it was banned by the time I was of age anyway. What I do know about is Philadelphia’s Greek Picnic. When I was little my dad took me a few times. He’d perch me on his shoulders, showing his first born baby girl off to his frat brothers. But that’s back when it was a picnic; by the time I went again I was in college and it wasn’t about the actual event, it was about people hanging out on South Street and…

Ok, so here’s the thing. Actually three things.

1. I like watching people fight. I won’t make apologies for my fascination with fisticuffs but I’m not proud of it either.

2. I hate when people actually do fight. Seriously, what’s the point? Even my desire to watch a beatdown doesn’t trump the display of one of the saddest aspects of the human condition – some people think that violence is the answer.

Now watch this video.

3. Bearded old man wearing a fanny pack completely whoops the younger man wearing a flannel shirt and

I am a very…I’m just very. V-E-R-Y. And if you can’t handle very, then I’m a douche bag. But I think the world needs a little very. That’s why black people love me. – John Mayer

Very full of crap is what he is. I never liked John Mayer. He’s a sloppy looking guy whose music is the sort they play in nail salons and waiting rooms. While I wasn’t paying attention this dude rose from awkward white kid on the adult contemporary

It doesn’t seem like most of America is feeling the Hope anymore. Anyone could have predicted the fierce opposition that Obama has faced in office, and sadly he is on track to become a single-term mistake. How can Obama fix this? Well, in addition to the obvious need for progress on his campaign promises – health care, managing our two wars, and reviving the economy – Obama should reach for some low hanging fruit. If he does anything in his four years the least he can

“In tight jeans, Chinese eyes/Indian hair/Black girl a**/let me pour you a glass of Belvi” – Memphis Bleek, “Do My”

I have a close friend who is half Japanese and half Ethiopian. I have another who is half Panamanian and half Filipino. Both of these women expect to hear a common catcall in the street “Hey Indian Hair! What’s good?” Neither one of them as a single drop of Indian blood, so what gives?

Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas from TLC is of both Indian and Native American descent, and her baby hair game is notorious.

Google “Indian hair” and your search will yield page after page of hair from the Asian subcontinent

It happens to most black women. Whether you have relaxed or natural hair, a weave, or braids. I’m talking about white people asking questions and making nutty comments about your hair.

If you spend any time in an environment where blacks are in the minority (i.e. if you have a job), then there has to be someone who wants to touch your ‘fro, another who asks how long your braids took, and another who innocently inquires about your new weave. The effects of humidity and heat styling on Negro hair are lost to most people, and the difference between a “perm” and a “curly perm” has still not been clarified for the masses.

I can barely tell if this is a Public Service Announcement or a commercial, but it definitely rubs me the wrong way. Funny or foul?

I find the eye-bugging, neck-rolling, finger-waving black woman thing (halfway through having a weave sewn-in, no less) extremely tired, but there’s something else bugging me about this commercial and I’m not sure what.

I must have Asia on the brain this week. Between yesterday’s post and a constant hankering for authentic kimchi like I had during my trip to Korea, I just can’t get enough of the Far East these days. Thanks to disagreement over a media regulation bill, South Korea’s parliament session erupted into an all-out brawl yesterday, the likes of which I haven’t seen since last year’s nationally televised Romanian slap-fest. Apparently this happens from time to time, and it’s an approach to government that I can’t believe the U.S. hasn’t…

You think black folks got problems getting into swimming pools these days? A heatwave is sweeping across parts of China bringing temperatures of over 104 degrees so folks over there have to cool off somehow. How about a cool and quiet day at the beach? Set up your umbrella and sprawl out on the soft sand…

Hop into the ocean and let the cool salt water soothe your hot n’ tired body…

It all sounds pretty cut and dry to any of us who’ve heard of a little thing called racism, but as usual the media is leaving a few things out, and as a Philly chick with an opinion you know I’ve gotta give it…