I know Black People.

David Chappelle has a hillarious show on Comedy Central. It pushes the envelope, scathing everyone they talk about. Pounding on the egg shells of racial issues week after week. I love it because it exploits all of the cultural taboos that we have regarding race issues. One week someone told Dave that the show was offensive to black people (mostly because of his habit of over-using the word "nigger"). His problem with the comment is that it was made by a white person. So he set up a game show called "I know black people" cuz some people just know. Working near Detroit, in a mall in the large company that i work for, I've made some good friends who are black (and I'm pretty sure they like being called black rather than African American for the time being). Now I'm the white guy who says, "I'm not racist. Some of my best friends are black." Beiing the white boy I am from Sticksville the only real contact with black people I had was in my brief period at Pizza Hut and my next door neighbors in college who were escorted off the school premises.
Being the total nerd that I am, viewing myself as some sort of ambassador to black culture, I have been reading books and watching movies exploring black culture and history. I'm like a regular Marco Polo (only he was Italian, went to China, and stole all kinds of merchandise). Recently my friend, Iesha, asked me to make a cd for her with some songs by artists I had barely heard of (but i had by this point after talking to a few of my other friends). Artists like R. Kelly (the child molester videographer). It also turns out he's a Christian. What do you do with that? I guess he is another brother with issues.
Why did it take finding out he's a Christian for me to have compassion for him? A blog for another day.
Anyway R. Kelly, Mary J. Blige, Erykah Badu, Floetry, D'Angelo, Beyonce, Kina, Alicia Keys, (I swear it sounds like im speaking a foreign language when I say those names). Anyway I made the CD and found myself liking it. (shh-dont tell. someone might find out). I was driving over here this morning and was listening to the R. Kelly Song, "You Saved Me" and broke down. Russell, if you are reading find that song. You'll love it. It reminded me of you.
It's funny how God will find you sometimes. Another blog subject altogether.
Back to Black people. I feel like most of my beliefs about "those people" were myths (as cultured and educated as I was). I recommend the movie Antwone Fisher. My black friends make fun of me because of how white I am and that's fine. I think they like me because I dont pretend to be black or know black things. I'm just me. And still friends. My friend, Brian, calls himself "Token" at work, like the kid from "south park", because he's our token black friend, like a show on the WB. Anyway. Just thought I'd share something a little lighter (or darker?)