Daily Archives: 07/30/2024

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

1866 – The New Orleans Massacre


On July 30, 1866, during the turbulent Reconstruction era after the Civil War, white resistance to African American citizenship turned violent in New Orleans when a white mob killed dozens of African Americans gathering to support a political meeting.

The New Orleans Massacre, also called the New Orleans Riot, happened at the New Orleans Mechanic’s Institute, where 25 state delegates were reconvening the 1864 Louisiana Constitutional Convention. The state’s new constitution already abolished slavery, but the state legislature passed laws limiting the rights of people freed from slavery. The Radical Republicans wanted to redo the Constitution so that freedmen would gain voting rights. Another aim was to eliminate the Black Codes and disenfranchise former Confederates.

Two of New Orleans’ foremost leaders—Mayor John T. Monroe, a Confederate sympathizer, and Sheriff Harry T. Hays, a former Confederate general—strongly opposed the new constitutional convention. After a political rally on July 27, Hays gathered a posse of white officers, mostly ex-Confederates, to disrupt the convention, which began at noon on July 30.

As the delegates filed into the building, a crowd of protesters gathered outside the Mechanic’s Institute. Meanwhile, about 200 unarmed Black people, mostly Union veterans, approached the building in a parade form to show support. As they came to the building, bystanders harassed the marchers and isolated scuffles broke out.

Source:

history.com and youtube.com

~ my 2cents ...

Step away from the lightener – reminder summer so brightener


 just another ongoing rant 

So, the heat is turnt all the way up over the country, and this is about the time when some folks start to do stuff to themselves… right? What seems to be a great vehicle for both comedy and exposure of an awful practice that non-white men and women do is back in the news ~~ skin whitening. What made me sad among the obvious is how comical it is but, Comedian and risk-taker, Nick Cannon created a new character named, “Connor Smallnut.”  I have to admit, seeing him in White Face was concerning as I heard myself gasp! Why? We don’t like folks in “blackface,” and felt this cannot be good, but it actually exposes what seems to be a growing practice in the US … skin whitening, specifically by non-whites.

Here we are in 2022, come on people, and those pictures above are from 2/11/2018!  I saw a picture of Sammy Sosa in a cowboy outfit …no problem but looking at the photo, and I am totally open to any corrections, his skin is still being bleached and though I am not an expert it doesn’t look like the skin is holding up …

My problem, as stated again and again, years ago is that the industry often promotes lighter, brighter, whiter as being better and more likely to get you more work.

In October 2013, disturbing news regarding skin whitening popped up, and now, I find myself having to update my post from 5/28. I get a lot of digital news and while going through it, out pops an article … not the first, this was an attempt to voice a personal experience, knowledge of Skin Whitening products, how widespread it is, and who may be using it to improve their careers. I admit… Not only that, but I wondered what Century are we in and will common sense prevail.  I welcome all those willing to shine a light on this terrible practice and maybe a jab or two at those promoting this awful practice. However, I did find that folks continue to pull MJ into the skin whitening practice, and I would like to say and clear up something ~~  MJ did have vitiligo … the end.

In 2009, reports were that Asians spent an estimated $18 billion a year to appear pale. Today, this Billion-dollar business is … in my opinion taking advantage of women of all races, and their personal insecurities in an industry that has created among other things bobble heads, eating disorders, height/weight anxiety, liquid diets, long hair syndrome and many more creative ways that make folks unsure, doubtful, hesitant, self-conscious, making them reactive not proactive. Apparently, otherwise, reasonably smart folks believe lighter brighter, and whiter is more likely to increase your status as well. I will say it again, it is sad and very disturbing

I have to ask why, after reading that in the year 2013, well-known entertainers are using Skin Whitening products to cross over for more acceptance or work.  It would be easy to say … FYI, you’re still who you were before bleaching your skin, but the practice begs the question … are you getting more work, more hits on your site and more folks are hitting on you … what?

Because …

No matter how light you go, your personality is only as good as your authenticity …

~ Nativegrl77