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king-shango-the-great · 7 months

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Hi! I’ve recently seen an argument you’ve had with a black!girl x kpop writer, and even though I’ve never been too fond of slapping a race on that kind of content, as I also feel that it’s fetishizing, I found a lot of your responses to be very thought-provoking and worth looking into (which I did). As a black person who does enjoy K-pop out of my love for music of all cultures (including French music, and Middle-eastern music), I couldn’t help but feel guilty for supporting certain artists: Should I feel guilty? Is it okay if I listen to them at all? Another thing I wanted to point out is that I agree that anime is VERY UNSAFE for black viewers and I never understood why black people (or people in general) wanted to be associated with it. I find it to be very exploitive of black culture, BIGOTED, and perverted as a whole—not my cup of tea.

But back to K-pop and the associated content here on tumblr, do you think it’s harmful that I read NSFW kpop ff (even if it’s not race-specific, but just random ones) in general? Is consuming SFW kpop fiction wrong too, even if it isn’t race specific?

I admit that i find some of these men attractive and reading the stories people come up with are interesting, but I never want it to be perceived as a fetish when I just find it fun. Though, perhaps I should reframe my idea of fun and find healthier means of enjoyment if you recommend. ✅

I’m a black teen in a society where Asian people are glorified, and I just really don’t want to be apart of anything that contributes to racism, self hatred, anti black ideologies, or that could hurt me or my people. I’d really appreciate it if you responded with tips/advice! Thanks ❤️ You’re doing a great thing by speaking up for what you believe in and going against the masses with boldness, btw!

Greetings!!

First, let me say that I appreciate the time you took to reach out to me. This is the dialogue I was seeking to have, before folks got defensive about it in that other thread. But, your response made it all the more worth it. I like public discussions, because even if the person I'm talking directly doesn't get it, then there's always people reading it that may gain something from what's been said.

You sent me 2 Asks on here, so I will answer both in this one ask, if that's okay.

<<Hi! I’ve recently seen an argument you’ve had with a black!girl x kpop writer, and even though I’ve never been too fond of slapping a race on that kind of content, as I also feel that it’s fetishizing, I found a lot of your responses to be very thought-provoking and worth looking into (which I did). As a black person who does enjoy K-pop out of my love for music of all cultures (including French music, and Middle-eastern music), I couldn’t help but feel guilty for supporting certain artists: Should I feel guilty? Is it okay if I listen to them at all?>>

I never want to be the person that tells people what they can and can't, or should and shouldn't do. My only intent is to inform people about the choices they make, while also leading by example and sharing why I don't indulge in certain things. That said, I have zero tolerance for cultures, religions, music, etc that disparages Black people globally. I don't know where you live, so for the sake of discussion, I'm going to assume you live in the US (feel free to correct me on that). As such, I don't even listen to Rap/Hip-Hop music, nor engage in the culture as much as I used to when I was much younger, for this same reason.

When I was your age, Hip-Hop was the voice of the people, that spoke to our issues of Oppression. Now, it's become a corporate-controlled, cultural catch-all for all the worst elements of our community: violence, crime, materialism, misogyny, substance abuse, sexual deviancy, gang/prison culture, use of harsh/ugly words, and an overall lack of intellectual growth. So, I take in very little Hip-Hop these days, and the little that I do take in, is usually from years past. Music for me should always be uplifting and inspiration for every listener, but very little music from contemporary Black America speaks of love, respect, etc. Its all depression music now.

So, instead of recommending what not to listen to, I much rather recommend some music genres that you could listen to, either instead of or in addition to your current listening choices. First, I think every one could benefit from listening to music that came long before them. I highly recommend listening to the music your parents, grandparents and great-grandparents listened to when they were your age and older. It was artful, soulful, and fulfilling in all the ways that current music is not.

Also, I personally do not listen to Middle Eastern and French music, because both these groups are highly oppressive to Black people. Nonetheless, it always amazes me, how Black people the world over will indulge in everyone else's genres, but not our own. As such, I would suggest dabbling in music from around the African Diaspora. Caribbean music (Reggae, Soca, etc), Afro-Latin Jazz, and Continental African (Afro-Beats, Amapiano, etc) are great places to find soulful, melodic, and rythmic music, directly from your own Ancestors. Tjere are a dozen different Caribbean music styles, & dozens of African styles. On my own page, I regularly post music under the tag "#Shango's Playlist". That could be a great point of reference for you with new music.

<<Another thing I wanted to point out is that I agree that anime is VERY UNSAFE for black viewers and I never understood why black people (or people in general) wanted to be associated with it. I find it to be very exploitive of black culture, BIGOTED, and perverted as a whole—not my cup of tea.>>

I absolutely agree with this. For the life of me, I don't undertand the obsession with anime, especially for Black people. I posted this short vid about it recently....

And.....

youtube

As someone who is a writer, and has collabed with other artists on things in the past, it's weird watching Black people try to convey the Black experience via a non-Black lens. I've seen artists and writers mimic the Anime style and aesthetic, to the point that some of them try to even go to Japan to get jobs as illustrators, only to get rejected as soon as they get off the plane. It's sad and embarrassing, just how disconnected we seem to be about how the world works. But I digress....

>>But back to K-pop and the associated content here on tumblr, do you think it’s harmful that I read NSFW kpop ff (even if it’s not race-specific, but just random ones) in general? Is consuming SFW kpop fiction wrong too, even if it isn’t race specific?>>

I would say to at least try to balance the non-Black content that you indulge in, with actual Black content as well. Non-Black people should not live rent-free in your head, when your own people don't live there as well. But ultimately, K-Poop is racist, whether NSFW, or SFW. And this is why I don't ever, and would never indulge or partake in it.

Furthermore, I also have no interest in K-Poop's watered down & exploitative take on the Black experience. If I wanna see people twerking with bandanas, gold teeth. & fake dreads, I can watch Black rap videos for that 🤷🏿‍♂️. Just like I don't wanna see non-Black women with fake butts & fake lips, when I can worship those natural traits on Black women.

<<I admit that i find some of these men attractive and reading the stories people come up with are interesting, but I never want it to be perceived as a fetish when I just find it fun. Though, perhaps I should reframe my idea of fun and find healthier means of enjoyment if you recommend. ✅>>

Admittedly, I would always rather see Black people developing an attraction for their own first and foremost. And ultimately, it is in fact fetishizing those people. But it's good that you are at least willing to seek healthier (key word) means of enjoyment. I don't think in this society, Black people (especially the youth) are taught Black Love, as the media only portrays Black people with non-Black people on TV, marketing, etc. This is how misguided notions about beauty gets pushed on people, especially Black people, who suffer from self-esteem issues in this regard.

<<I’m a black teen in a society where Asian people are glorified, and I just really don’t want to be apart of anything that contributes to racism, self hatred, anti black ideologies, or that could hurt me or my people.

I’d really appreciate it if you responded with tips/advice! Thanks ❤️ You’re doing a great thing by speaking up for what you believe in and going against the masses with boldness, btw!>>

I cannot tell you how much this means to hear!! 🙏🏿

I don't understand the obsession with Asian people either, especially as a Black person. And that goes beyond their treatment of us as Blacks. The unparalleled Beauty of the Black Woman, and the raw power and strength of the Black Man is something that no other group can compare to. Personally to me, Asian women look like little boys to me; all small, frail, awkward, uncoordinated, etc, and that's not something that I personally find appealing. Not to say that every Black person is big and powerful, but there's a style and grace and charm to Black people that no other group has. Which is why I highly suggest tapping into that from your own people, be it in the form all of our creative expressions (music, dance, art, etc). Doing so will also help unlock all those wonderful qualities within yourself as well, because art imitates life (as I'm sure you know), and so Black expressions are reflections of all the wonderful qualities that are within you.

<<I’m the same girl from the last question, but I was also wondering if you think it’s harmful for non-black girls to engage with K-pop fiction (whether it be race-based or not, or 18+ or not).>>

Honestly, I really don't focus on what non-Black people do or don't do. Most of these Non-Black People feel the exact same way about us that the K-Poop people do, so they already have that in common. As Black people, I believe that our primary focus should come from, and should be on ourselves. Every other group puts themselves first, and we should be doing the same.

Hopefully this answers and addresses your issues. If not, please feel free to ask more questions as you feel the need. I'd be delighted to answer. 🙏🏿

#Each One Teach One #Shango's Thoughts

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xtrablak674 · 6 months

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But Is It Vanity?

[This is my job right here, to get the children to think about the things they say and the assumptions they make. And to do it in a way that isn't humiliating, shameful or generally off-putting. I do think its the one quality as an Uncle, Titi, Titi or not-parent that I am very good at, if I do say so myself.]

M: You have a high opinion of yourself and your appearance. That is a big sign of vanity, especially your worth. Vanity refers to appearance, opinion and self worth. You have large amounts of pride in all of those. Dressing nice isn’t a sign of vanity, talking about it and showing it off is.

A person that dresses like you but doesn’t take photos or never brings it up would not be considered vain. Your extensive photos can count as showing off. It’s not a bad thing to be vain. You have a high opinion of yourself. Good for you, be confident!

T: Buenos tardes sobrino, you're analysis is very curious to me, because I'm un-partnered, all my parents are dead, and I don't have children of my own. So, who is necessarily supposed to document my existence, or the fact that I was even here? Now do I share photos with maybe less than six people, its probably like five, yes I do.

Let me tell you where I don't share photos anymore, not on Facebook, I shut that down. I've used Instagram stories to post my different looks in the past, but I'm not doing that anymore. I'm not really here to perform for folks or allow them to live vicariously through me. #LiveYourOwnLife

I dress nicely because I like to look nice, I could actually go without sharing the photos because I'm documenting myself primarily for myself, because at the end of the day I don't think anyone really cares.

If there's no documentation, did it really happen? Did I exist, did I leave a mark, did my life have value? Is thats self-absorbed, or vain, or full of myself, to want to be remembered or recalled, or is that human?

M: I don’t view you as self absorbed or anything nasty like that. You’re handsome and you’re happy with that, which I think is awesome. I’m sorry if I came off as rude, to myself the term vain isn’t something negative, as so I just viewed it as a trait like any other. The documentation of yourself is fair, at the end of the day I know very little of whom you communicate with or what so I could only comment on how it came off from my perspective.

T: Which is fair.

I used to broadcast wider, but that no longer felt authentic, many of those folks couldn't care less if I took another breath. And those who were vicariously living through my life were also leeches in my opinion, so I cut them off. Now I share with less than five folks, those rare moments when I actually leave the house.

I also share with my microblog, with its three followers, which will be my personal eulogy about my life in my own words after I am gone, well for as long as Tumblr is online which may be less than ten years, you never know.

I remember being jealous of this girlfriend who always had photographers around her documenting her life and accomplishments and I said to myself, I will be my own historian documenting my own life, because no one else is. No one may ultimately look or care, but maybe one image may survive beyond me, and maybe it will bring a smile to someone, or inspire them to become their own fashion icon.

I am a pariah in my life, the last one left behind with few still alive who are even concerned about my well-being. Documenting good moments is a way to say, hey I still matter, and I have something to offer even if no one is partaking. I find happiness in the unadulterated celebration of myself. #💌

M: That was really well written. Thank you for sharing that with me Titi❤️

Sometimes the young people forget that their elders have as much below the surface life as they do, we are full human beings with depth, doubts and concerns about our mortality. Approaching the challenge with love is all we can do in reminding them or teaching them who we are.

[Photo by Brown Estate]

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