I Hate Being An American Sometimes!

Let's face it! Oftentimes we, as born and raised Americans, are quite pompous and overly righteous. We can also be very racist, prejudice and sexist. It doesn't matter if you are a low-income, African American woman. We all have grown up in a racist and sexist society. No matter our station in life, we all carry a piece of those awful qualities. It's part of the Americn way. That's my opinion. There are some great things about being from the US, but right now I'm feeling nothing but the bad stuff because I see it within myself and I don't like it.

The other night, I had to stop at McDonald's to get something to eat. Yes Todd, I did. And I didn't go to the gym the following morning. There it is! ANYWAY, it had been a long work day - roughly 11 hours long. But, I was still in a good mood, basking in the glory of me just being me.

I drove up to the box to place my order - one of their new chicken sandwiches. The McD worker asked for my order. I gave it and he asked me a question. Now, I had no idea was he was asking me because I couldn't understand him. His accent was too thick. So, I repeated my order in hopes he was asking me to repeat it. I guess he wasn't. I instantly got frustrated and said, "I can't understand you". I felt bad. Then I was pissed off. Dammit! If you are going to deal with the public, you've got to speak English that everyone can understand.

Am I wrong for thinking that way? I mean, I am a diva in training - training to be the best kind of woman and human being I can possibly be. Am I acting out my prejudice American ways when I say, if you want a job, please speak clear (understandalbe) English?

Separation of Church and State

Currently, I am a community organizer. Basically, I try to save the world from itself. Periodically, I support community campaigns where residents are fighting big corporations like Home Depot. Such was the case a couple of weeks ago.

For five years the residents I work with have been fighting to keep Home Depot out of the neighborhood. This battle came down to one planning commission hearing. The commissioners were deciding to approve/reject the proposed plan for a 153,000 square foot store. Over 100 of my residents showed up to express their concerns over this plan. Our opponents, a largely African American group of residents arrived on shuttle buses, provided by Home Depot. They wore huge Home Depot stickers and were greeted by the public relations representatives who had organized them. Interesting how most of them were also African American, except for the lead PR person.

We all knew this meeting would last until the wee hours of the morning. Home Depot was more prepared than me. I had no funding for extra "stuff" like food. Home Depot provided individually wrapped fried chicken dinners and bottled water for each of their supporters. Chicken dinners, people! I was disgusted how my people were seduced by a free ride to city hall and a chicken dinner.

After hours of public testimony, the commissioners began their comments. The lone African American commissioner began her comments by saying, "I want to evoke the name of Annie Powell". I heard someone clap their hands three times and then say, "Take your time". I looked around and wondered if I had fallen asleep and woke up in church.

Commissioner: I want to evoke the name of Annie Powell.
Someone is audience: Take your time.
DIT (in my head): This ain't church!
Commissioner begins to silently cry and she looks at the ceiling.
DIT: Oh, here we go!
Commissioner: Annie Powell was a young person who was shot and killed in Bayview Hunters Point
More tears
Audience: That's right! That's all right!
DIT: Why do we always have to take it to church?!
Commissioner: Our young people. . . .
She again looks up at the ceiling
Commissioner: Jobs bring hope! (in a strained voice) Jobs bring hope!
DIT: Well, we've lost this battle. I'm ready to go home.
Audience: Say it! Hope! (More clapping)
DIT: I love my people. How you gonna bust out and say 'I EVOKE the name of. . .' She ain't no preacher.
Commissioner: Home Depot, I told you I don't like your company. I don't like this plan. . . . . (sniffles) But, jobs bring hope!
DIT: Maybe I can find a chicken dinner. I can sell my soul also for some measely part time jobs with no benefits.

The hearing finally ended at 2:30am. Luckily, I was almost in San Jose by then - ready to begin a very short vacation.

Although I was exhausted from working over 12 hours, I still had time to thank our founding fathers for insisting on the separation of church and state.

Those chicken dinners sure did look good.

Be Blessed!

Wednesday Workout - Random Thoughts While Listening to LL Cool J

"I Can’t Live Without My Radio". . .I can’t live without my CD player. How else would I get through this god awful hour of cardio? Damn that Todd!. . . ."Rock the Bells". I wish someone would rock my bells. All this exercise and being in my mid 30s has left me extremely horny on a bi weekly. . . . okay daily basis. I wonder what Cut Creator looks like. Wonder if he’s single. . . ........................"I’m Bad". I AM BAD!!! Oh, look at this 72 year old grandma getting on the treadmill next to me! She doesn’t know how bad I am. Look at her trying to read the newspaper as she walks. Bless her heart. . . . . . LL Cool J? No, No. LL Cool A. Forget Oreo Cookies, eat Cool A Cookies. . . . . Well, maybe not LL, Ladies Love. Then again, I can’t seem to get a date with a man. I wonder if I have any female admirers. Holla! I don’t get down like that though. Then again "I Need Love". Who the hell doesn’t?! Shit, I need love and some lovin’.

"Goin’ Back To Cali". I’d like to go back to bed. . . . "Jack The Ripper". I’m going to rip this granny apart. How ya like me now, punk?! Hey Granny, I’m LL Cool A and you’re Kool Moe Dee. Who you think is going to win this treadmill race?

"They’re Jigglin’ Baby". That’s why it’s time for me to get off this treadmill. . . . These caramel globes of joy are about to knock me out. . . .Mama said knock you out! No my titties knocked me out. . . .Lord, I make myself laugh. "Back Seat of My Jeep". . . . . . I remember when. . . let it go, Amber. I have some good memories. Let’s swing an episode! I know you feelin’ frisky. What’s my name?! What’s my name?! Oooooooh to be young and limber again. I would probably hurt myself now. I already have a pinched nerve in my foot. My body is falling apart, yet I’m here, in the gym at 7:15am. LL needs to give me a hug!

"Doin’ It" - Oakland, Oakland, Oakland! I need a rough neck and a mandingo. I feel the need to burn about 50 more calories on this bitch. Now I’m calling the treadmill a bitch. See what rap can do to you? I represent SF. He was raised out in Oakland. I’m in the zone. My heartbeat zone, that is: 149.

I feel an asthma attack coming on. Maybe I should go back to listening to Prince. Who do you love?