Author Archive

Brooklyn Colloquy: Say (Almost) Anything

Friday, March 27th, 2009

Far be it from me, a diplomatic Libran, to ever say, “Ok, you are not allowed to say that. Ever.” And yet, I have found myself thinking and/or saying that more than a few times lately. Last week the President himself got into trouble dissing his own bowling skills . . . I wasn’t necessarily mad at that. But then there were the crowds of people across the country who cheered at the announcement of four Oakland cops  shot and killed.

In a world of free speech that encourages debate and tolerates dissent, are there things that you just shouldn’t say? Like, for instance, Woot Woot! Yeah! and Yay! upon learning that four Oakland police officers just got shot?

But in honor of crucial minutiae, I offer more personal, far less public examples to illustrate this inquiry. The first example is mine, the second two I overheard. (more…)

Brooklyn Colloquy: I Heart White People

Thursday, March 12th, 2009

I am often accused, by one person in particular, of hating white people.

I do not hate white people.

It’s true, I ask questions, complain, and react to things in ways that makes this one person in particular think that I hate white people. But I don’t.

i-heart-white-people

I heart them.

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Brooklyn Colloquy: First Date

Wednesday, March 4th, 2009

“She has to be at least 30.”

Check.

“She has to live in New York”

Check.

“She has to love Hip-Hop.”

Check.

“She can’t only speak English.”

We were on a first date. I was crushing hard. He was describing his qualifications for a relationship. For a second there, it was ON. Until, the “She can’t only speak English.” part.
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