In this fight for the dignity of the Black Woman and her future daughters, we must all have a standard for what we will and will not put up with and endure. I am done with hatred and disgrace, particularly that which comes from the Black Community and the Hip-Hop/Rap community has been allowed to dictate what it means to be of African-American heritage for the last several generations. What is important to realize is that it doesn't necessarily take standing in front of a tank or self-immolation to fight the battle and win the war. It simply takes every woman deciding for HERSELF what her worth is and what she will accept for herself and the women to come after her. Ladies, take out a sheet of paper and create your own Ish List!
Who to put on it: anyone that engages in or encourages the degradation of Black Women and women in general. That includes certain so-called black leaders, rappers, businesses, and any industry or organization that colludes with them. Keep your money in your pocket and recognize the value of the Personal Boycott.
Methods
The Personal Boycott is not a tool necessarily meant to run people out of town tared and feathered but rather a personal decision that you will not dedicate any of your time and money to aiding or funding people who would degrade you and use you as fodder for their misogynistic goals.
Learn the art of the complaint email. Even if you don't think that it will get you very far, DO IT! People might harp on "drops in a bucket" but many drops fill buckets.
Seek out other sistah's and organize. University is a great place start as well as church. Write down your common goals and strategy and stick to them! This isn't called a fight for nothing.
Last but not least, talk about it. Talk about it to anyone who will listen. You don't have to go on rants or diatribes or get in people's faces, but just say something casual like, "I really don't think that Chris Brown should have been welcomed at the Grammy's. He doesn't seem at all remorseful for what he's done". You will meet opposition, but if you know where you stand and maintain your ground you will get the message out. And, most of all, keep talking about it.
And here is my Ish List list so far, and I will add to it regularly. These people receive NONE of my money, support or viewing time. Period.:
*Pepsi Co.
*Sharpton and Jackson
* The Grammy's
*The entire Rap and Hip-Hop Industry
*Baby Phat
*Roca Wear
*ESSENCE Magazine
*Jet Magazine
*Black Evangelists
*The Afrocentric Movement
*Any movie made by Tyler Perry
*Any movie made by John Singleton
*BET
*Makode Linde
*Lena Adelsohn Liljeroth *Ebony Magazine
*Nikki Minaj
...many more to come, I'm sure!
