Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. Boy, have we got work to do.

I'll never forget my great-grandmother saying to my mom a long time ago "Don't be surprised at what you hear and don't be surprised at what you see." I always thought that it was a strange and nonsensical remark until I got a little bit older and experienced life. I realized now that she, as a 92 year old black woman (she's gone now) had probably seen it all, heard it all and been through it all. Well, folks. Right now, I think I am having that profound anagnorisis myself.

So I was looking to find these cute pro-natural hair shirts that I had seen on Cafepress. I wasn't sure exactly who was selling them so I just typed in "African-American women". Some cute items and slogans came up....and then I came across this persons items.

http://www.cafepress.com/+actions_speak_louder_than_black_women_225_button,208638948

Now the last thing on earth I would want to do is give this person free advertizement, but I wanted to raise a point about something and offer some food for thought:

1. Why is it that this individual feels so comfortable with marketing anti-black woman merchandise in the supposed post-racial, post-feminist PC Age?

2. What gave them the idea that this would be funny and acceptable?

3. How many black people do you think may have laughed it off and even bought some of these products?

The persons' user name says it all. And there is no way they could possibly claim it as some clever joke as the joke just ain't that clever.

Now do you think that was bad? Well how about this one?

http://www.cafepress.com/+you_better_axe_somebody_black_tshirt,46112777http://www.cafepress.com/+you_better_axe_somebody_black_tshirt,46112777

My dear, dear sisters. You must understand right now that this is no battle- it's an all out WAR and if we don't take up arms, our daughters and their daughters after them will be the causalities.

So what are we going to do? Well, I am going to send an email to Cafepress and tell them that these images are offensive and damaging and to let my voice be heard. I don't know what they will do but what matters is what I do and I encourage any black woman or anybody who loves black women to do the same. The battle for our dignity was just too hard won to let this one go.