Let's Get Back to Us Loving Us.

I'm a judgmental person as you might be able to determine, but I'm usually right. Stereotypes don't really upset me, because there's some truth to most of them. I also believe that the way one presents themselves is the way they would like to be perceived. That being said, as a reality TV junkie, I had to catch the first episode of the new season of Real World, set in Brooklyn. They had all the usual archetypical cast members: the gay guy, the redneck, the tatted up hipster, etc.
One castmate grabbed my interest, of course, because she was the only Black cast member (you know they can't have more than one or the whole place would smell like burnt hair and there would be sunflower seed shells everywhere). However, the first time they showed her onscreen, I immediately told A.: "She looks like the type to go out of her way to say she doesn't date Black men". Her look and mannerisms (I'm all for bourgie Black and speaking properly, but you can tell when somebody likes to swim in the other end of the pool) just seemed to spark my prejudice. She never confirmed this suspicion, but when castmate Scott walked in, a blond, bodybuilder type, it cut to a scene of her gushing about how amazing she thought he was. In another scene, some of the cast members are shown in a room doing various things and she was laying on the bed looking up at him like he was Jesus resurrected. I threw up in my mouth a little bit.
I once worked with a white girl who told me that her Black friend did not date Black men at all, claiming we were all "disrespectful" and some other BS. Shaka being Shaka, I told her that her friend was a disgrace and should be ashamed of herself. The white girl had a Black boyfriend, so she hit me with: "Well, my boyfriend says the same thing about not dating Black women, so you're saying he's a disgrace too?" Of course, Shaka being Shaka, I said "Yes". She didn't talk to me for like a month.
Given the irreparable damage done to the Black community for over 400 years in this country both by ourselves (can't point fingers with dirty hands) and American media and pop culture, there is an epidemic among Black people that causes some of us to have a poor self-image. I have no problem with people choosing to date whites, I do take issue with those who can't acknowledge the beauty of their own people and culture. To exclude members of the opposite sex as far as datign and relationships is to exclude your own ancestors, relatives, and parents. I was raised surrounded by beautiful, strong Black women, which is why I can't consider anything but.
I salute any Black couple who are in a functional relationship. It can be difficult dependent upon the circumstance, but there is nothing like seeing yourself in your significant other. Chuuurch!