"Back on the scene, konichiwa Bit$*es..." After taking my short hiatus from the blogger scene, I'm back to present another case of JABMS. In the world of black officers in the military, much like it is in corporate America for us, it is a desolate, lonely, and disheartening one. Many times, we feel very similar to the former Sen. Barack Obama at Senate Meetings, or perhaps the way Emmitt Smith feels visiting his in-laws: We're the only one in the room. And for those that have never had that feeling, it's one that you could do without witnessing in your life. The emptiness and solitude that overcomes, one almost feel contrite without justification.
But as missileers, we have to have a closer one on one relationship with our partners because, in my particular case, you'll have to be underground with that person for 24 hours or MORE at a time. Luckily, my crew partner is very cool, laid back, white guy. However, recently his words, or should I say, his tone, left me feeling, "Some kind of way." During one of our breaks from work, we were watching a movie on TBS that had just gone to a commerical, one that consisted of the lovely and beautiful Gabrielle Union as the spokeswoman for Neutrogena. Ms. Union, regardless of race, is one of the most stunning beauties on television. I personally appreciate her natural beauty, not having to apply layers of make-up to appear, "pretty."
Once her face was presented on the screen, my partner said, "oh shes cute." But, like I alluded to earlier, it's not what he said, it's how he said it. He said "cute" with the undertones of, "For a black girl." Now at first, I told myself I read way too much into that, and to let it go. But my assumptions were correct when later on I asked him what kind of girls he's dated/is attracted to. He said, "I guess I like the old aryan types, blond hair and blue eyes. hahaha." Now there's nothing wrong with what he likes whatsoever, to each their own. And this cat isn't a borderline asshole or conservative by any stretch of the imagination. He's actually quite liberal, being born and raised in California. And he's actually quite cool, I call him, "Sunshine." (Like the white quarterback from the movie Remember the Titans)But the fact that he said this statement, coupled with the tone of voice and that he said it to me, A BLACK MAN, kinda sorta pissed me off. This left ya boy very jaded because 1) In a wing (think of wing like the a local, smaller office of a corporate business) of 230 missileers, there are 14 of us. 14! And of those 14, 2 are female!! and 2) I realized I had 3-4 more years of this delightful dialogue to endure from the melanin challenged. Sigh...In the words of John Witherspoon, "Somebody help me, help me please?!"
When A Noble PSA Meets Lousy Chuuch Sangin'.
2 hours ago
