*I tried posting this in the morning. No dice. I’ll post the Fried Mac and Cheese recipe soon.
Tonight there is a Podcast tonight with Glennia from The Silent I and Jason from Daddy In A Strange Land. In fact, there is a new button on my sidebar that you can click to get there. It’s at 9:00 pm EST and we’re discussing Inclusion & Exclusion: Where Are The Bloggers of Color and Why Aren’t We Reading Them? Actually, I thought it was just on “Race & Blogging” but Glennia mentioned this title on Kimchi Mamas and I didn’t want to look stupid like I didn’t know what the topic was.
Callers on the show are welcome (646) 915-8634 but the most exciting thing is that I’ll be doing my best to disguise my otherwise deep, Midwestern voice.
Among other things we’re discussing how ethnicity and cultural identification affect writing, perceptions about the lack of bloggers of color, and that whole PR can of worms I opened. I’d like it to be known, however, that I opened the can. Stefania ripped that top off with her teeth and growled with dripping saliva all over her teeth. I love her for that.
My less-than-stellar response would have been Listen up, bitches!
To be honest, it would have sounded more like this:
Dear Public Relations Folks Who’ve Been Ignoring Me,
You’ve surely seen my Google page rank. Well, by now you have because you’re wondering Who is this loud-mouthed woman anyway? Those of you who have written to me or about me have even admitted that it’s higher than some of the white-middle-class-stay-at-home-mom’s blogs you pitch. But you defend your position. You say that you don’t know what I’d like.
Let me tell you.
I want a mop that doesn’t crap out on me every 2 months.
I desire a shampoo in a hotel room that doesn’t “Add Body” because you really need to pay attention to the fact that we don’t all need body added to our hair.
I wish for a make-up for my face that actually matches my skin tone and doesn’t force me to mix and apply, mix and apply until I find the right shade because those scientists in your lab can’t seem to do it. Also, I’ll take a “flesh colored Band-Aid” that is truly the color of my flesh. Fleshy colored.
I long for socks that hold shape after washing them more than 10 times.
I yearn for a television show where the main characters look as varied as my own but that don’t adhere to every single stereotype therein.
I aspire to hear that I’m “articulate” or “well-spoken” without it sounding condescending or like a nice surprise for the person uttering that back-handed compliment.
I fancy a pair of jeans that accentuate my hips and my ass without making me feel like I’m “special” just “standard”. (And ones that truly FIT without that stupid gap in the back)
I crave quality writing paper and pens to leave love notes for my children.
I hanker after a good piece of gum that doesn’t burn the holy hell out of my tongue because it’s the FRESHEST, ZINGIEST, MOST POWERFUL GUM ON THE PLANET. Honest to God, I just want fresh breath after my morning cuppa, not a hole in the fleshy muscular organ in my mouth.
I hunger for a good blanket to cuddle up with my kids with that is soft and snuggly.
I thirst for a really good wine that doesn’t turn my ears red.
I cry out for a good, soulful song that makes me feel the kind of cozy that comes on a cool Fall day.
I covet a perfume that smells clean and sexy and yummy all at the same time.
I’m dying for you to know that I go to Target stores to shop because they are my Zen and that online shoe shopping helps me remember that I am a woman because I squeal with delight to find a pair that suit me.
Love, La Mocha
That’s all you need to know, people.
August 15, 2007 @ 4:57 pm | Filed under Adrenalized | Permalink |
sizzle Said,
August 15, 2007 @ 5:55 pm
good jeans and suitable shoes- things in life that are necessary!
target is zen for me too.
Sueb0b Said,
August 15, 2007 @ 6:21 pm
You are articulate and well-spoken. Especially for…someone who drinks so much coffee.
I could not resist.
Sandra Said,
August 15, 2007 @ 6:31 pm
I’m listening to the show now and to be honest with you I have no idea what the heck she’s talking about..I’m waiting for you to come on cause….oh yay your’re on now!!!!!
Nora Said,
August 15, 2007 @ 9:13 pm
Hey Lady,
I have listened to part of the show and am going to put it on my mp3 player and listen manana on the road.
Nora
jen Said,
August 15, 2007 @ 9:35 pm
i like you a whole heck of a lot, sister.
Nora Said,
August 15, 2007 @ 10:11 pm
I did get to listen to it all. Thanks for the stretch. I think I read a varied group of bloggers, but I certainly could branch out more. In fact one of the things I love about blogging is the look at people’s lives I would otherwise have little contact with since I don’t live in a terribly diverse area.
Yolanda Said,
August 15, 2007 @ 10:36 pm
Oooh I’m so glad my bloglines finally picked you back up! I’m going to download and come back for comments. Very interesting topic, the black blogosphere is definitely out here whether acknowledged or not. Can’t wait to hear the show.
jess Said,
August 16, 2007 @ 12:51 am
mocha=love.
Mocha Momma Said,
August 16, 2007 @ 5:08 am
I wonder if the writer of this article heard what I said on the podcast last night:
http://lifestyle.msn.com/specialguides/article.aspx?cp-documentid=5289082>1=10323
Caffeinated Librarian Said,
August 16, 2007 @ 9:55 am
PR can of worms? Huh? Who? What?
Is that on the other blog? *sigh* So confused. The RSS feed is working now in my Google Reader, however. We’ll see about the comment in a second.
Btw, I’m totally stealing your open letter idea.
Leah Said,
August 16, 2007 @ 10:17 am
ooh, you stole my bandaid idea!
I’ve long thought SOMEBODY, SOMEWHERE should come up with bandaids that actually match everyone’s skin. Maybe all of them in the box at once, just for shizzles and giggles.
Daisy Said,
August 16, 2007 @ 11:14 am
I am totally with you on the bandaid thing — and I’m a pale-skinned white woman. Those things don’t match anyone. And BTW, your blog is one of my favorites. We have more in common than not. The jeans thing? Gah. I hate jeans shopping.
Momish Said,
August 16, 2007 @ 11:16 am
I am so with you on the gum. I just don’t understand why gum has to hurt so much. I just was in a store and found Teaberry gum, which I hadn’t seen since I was a kid. I bought 5 of them and have been chewing pain free for a week.
Miranda Said,
August 16, 2007 @ 11:37 am
Can I add a “Ditto” to this for myself?
Oh, The Joys Said,
August 16, 2007 @ 2:13 pm
I want something MUCH STRONGER than Beano.
landismom Said,
August 16, 2007 @ 2:36 pm
you mean…black people write love notes to their children?…I had no idea
landismom Said,
August 16, 2007 @ 2:37 pm
Oh crap, it removed my ’sarcasm’ tag. Sorry, that was intended as a sarcastic comment.
David Wescott Said,
August 16, 2007 @ 3:55 pm
I just listened to the show.
I will say this: communications professionals like me need to understand that what we do isn’t just about pushing messaging or providing product. It’s about ensuring access. It’s about access to information. Sometimes the information is crap; other times it’s important. It’s not really about “getting free stuff,” as you know - it’s about doing our part to make sure you’re part of the discussion, and while we often choose who we contact for a number of legitimate reasons, we don’t have the right to exclude anyone.
We’re letting our own biases about race, ethnicity, culture, and class over-refine our “target demographic,” especially online. There is no excuse for it.
Thank you very much for leading this discussion and not letting it go away. I can tell you that the PR industry is noticing.
Heather B. Said,
August 16, 2007 @ 5:52 pm
Have I ever mentioned how CLEAN you are?
Oh and please feel free to include me on any future discussions because my “I’m not really into talking about being black” has turned into “OH my fucking hell, I could talk about how dumb people are because I’m black for days” So call me, K?
MizAngie Said,
August 16, 2007 @ 6:55 pm
I want sugar-free chocolate candy that doesn’t make me poop my guts out. What’s IN that stuff???
Jazz Said,
August 16, 2007 @ 7:31 pm
I’ve got to go listen to the show…will get back to you on my comment later.
dorothy Said,
August 16, 2007 @ 8:57 pm
I came up and talked to you right after that PR fiasco. I wrote in my notebook during that session, “must write about this Mocha Momma/CityMama discussion of PR people ignoring whole sections of the blogosphere.” I didn’t actually get up and say what was going through my head - hey, stupid PR guys, answer the frickin’ questions! And I should’ve. I froze, instead. And so because I keep thinking about it, I’m saying it here, because I want to start that conversation. I should’ve said something, and I’m sorry.
Lady M Said,
August 17, 2007 @ 3:11 am
Great, great post.
I heart Target too.
I’d like to have soaps and baby shampoos that aren’t poisonous.
PurpleGirl Said,
August 17, 2007 @ 1:46 pm
I desire a shampoo in a hotel room that doesn’t “Add Body” because you really need to pay attention to the fact that we don’t all need body added to our hair.
No fucking kidding.
MommyWithAnAttitude Said,
August 17, 2007 @ 8:57 pm
Oh my God, you have that gaping jeans thing too? I thought I was the only one. What is UP with that?