Could anybody tell me what difference it should make?

Why would anybody give two craps what Mani is? She was as white as a ghost when I used to see her selling the merchandise, but why would anybody care???

I wish Prince was just a musician with no controversy because all this stuff is starting to make me sick.

You like the man and the music, why can't it just be?

Supernova said:

---
the cover of the prince album looks more like he's tan to me. wasn't he in california a lot during the early days? he was probably on the beach a lot, etc. i think that explains his complexion. on the very next album cover, dirty mind, he's paler. i think that had to do with his spending more time in minnesota. any time you live somewhere like minnesota, you tend to be paler for the obvious reasons. and as he became more of a workaholic, he appeared to live a more building to building existence, not really spending a lot of time outside (perhaps that was intentional on his part to stay out of the sun, only he knows).

also, someone mentioned the black woman in UTCM. i think she's the one who says "christopher...when can we get together again? you know i miss you..." then belts a wicked laugh. unfortunately this is the most visible image of a black woman in the movie, but there are others. at the beginning of the film, after prince has parked his car and is walking back to his apartment building, he stops and buys some flowers for a black woman and kisses her hand. and at mary sharon's party (it's evening) and tricky's talking to mary right before the conga line starts, prince can be seen talking to a black woman in the background.

DonRants said:

That's ridiculous to even imply that. It probably have something to do with the lighting or maybe he used makeup because he wasn't that darker. Plus, Prince appears to be darker than usual in various photos.

lovebird said:

It's about survival, success and happiness, lovebird. Read the thread again.

lovebird said:

You liked the controversy when you liked it, lovebird.

Controversy:

" ... Am I black or white, am I straight or gay? ... "
" ... Was I what you wanted me to be?"

Think about it!

Why the "blackness" of Prince is even an issue is rediculous and only helps to increase the gap between blacks and whites. Same is true with his sexual orientation. He has always been ambiguous about both. This is because we are all equal reqardless of color or sexual orientation. There is no issue to discuss. He has always done rock, r&b, rap and everything in between and has always dated white, black, hispanic or any other race of women. I believe the man does not discriminate. Neither should you.

What is it with a large portion of the black race that insists that black leaders must be "black". Why does somebody like Harry Belafonte call great black leaders like Colin Powell and Condoleeza Rice "Uncle Toms" and other racist terms and get away with it? What is wrong with "acting white"? If we were all truely equal then there wouldnt be any "acting white" or "acting black" or "uncle toms" or "niggers". We are in a time now where people are more tolerant then ever with race or sexual orientation. It is my opinion that the views of many blacks help to keep whatever racial divide is still here. Stop worrying about "acting white" or whatever and become one with society. You can keep your heritage. You can keep your "blackness". You can keep everything. Just dont fuel the fire. If you consider yourself an equal, you will notice that many other people consider the same thing.

chemmie said:

Interesting perspectives, chemmie. I like your vibe however there are some very valid cultural and historical reasons why things have been a certain way with Prince. People are sharing here what they think these are, there is no division intented on my part.

A few specific points:

* I don't believe Prince has been ambiguous about his race, or sexuality, because of any rationale about us all being equal. I have no doubt he shares that equality viewpoint based on many of his 'vision' songs, however I don't think this is related to his reasons for ambiguity.

* Prince has always inherently discrimated for a number of reasons. To me, that's perfectly understandable and not the result of any intentional malice on his part.

On this thread, people are just trying to work out where the discrimation came from and the reasons why. That's all.

DAMN! I love this thread!

I guess I dont see that discrimination either from Prince or towards Prince. I feel that Prince has never closed a door behind him but has constantly opened new ones. His diverse musical styles have left some closedminded people behind over the years but the ones who truely appreciate his genius are still with him. Weather they are black, white or whatever.

* I don't believe Prince has been ambiguous about his race, or sexuality, because of any rationale about us all being equal. I have no doubt he shares that equality viewpoint based on many of his 'vision' songs, however I don't think this is related to his reasons for ambiguity.

That is actually my point. He has always been ambigious and I dont think he really has a rational. But his abiguity has allowed people of all shapes and sizes and colors to enjoy his music without a thought of what the race or sexual orientation of the person around them is.

If I go to a Prince show or get together there will be people of all kinds of groups there. When I am there, I dont care about this. I dont see the color or sexual preference. All I see is coming together for the music. I feel Prince has that save view.

I dont think being a rock musician changes anything about the "blackness" of the man. Maybe I am a little different. I am a HUGE fan of black men who sing and play in rock bands. I find black men to be some of the greatest singers in rock music. Kaleel (Super 8), Lejon from Sevendust, Vernon Reed... all the way down to Chuck Berry and Little Richard. Yes, playing rock music will alienate a core black audience, but I beleive that is more discrimination on the listeners part than the artists. Now the artist has a primarily white audience. Of course they will associate with whites more.

chemmie said:

What is it with a large portion of the black race that insists that black leaders must be "black"

Because if they are not black, then they are not black leaders.

"Why does somebody like Harry Belafonte call great black leaders like Colin Powell and Condoleeza Rice "Uncle Toms" and other racist terms and get away with it?"


You think Uncle Tom is a racist comment? Hmmm. Interesting. Here's an answer: the history of the black community has always been to push towards cultural unity. This is acceptable with Jews, asians, and every other minority community as well as various cultures within the majority. When someone who the black community helps push towards a position of power, it is expectected that that member of the community will not compromise basic cultural ethics. Dr. Rice and Mr. Powell are smart people; brilliant in some ways, BUT in siding with the agenda of the white upperclass males, they forsake the expectations of their culture, thereby "selling out" to a political agenda that favors rich white males over their own community and bluntly reinforces that time & time again.

"What is wrong with "acting white"?"

Nothing...when you ARE white. The problem is acting FAKE. Fake behavior has always been unacceptable in the black community. You don't have to speak in slang or act stereotypical in any way; we just have strong resentment for "hollier than thou" behavior. When you acheive success and people begin to see you as a role model; if you all of a sudden want nothing to do with your own people, you get REJECTED. Ask O.J. about that one. Bottom line is the black community is generally distrusting of people who behave in this manner. Why should we trust people who abandon their culture for $$$ or power? Get real.

"We are in a time now where people are more tolerant then ever with race or sexual orientation."

Tolerance is a position of agrrogance. Who is to be "tolerated"? What we are in is a a state of realization that poses the question of what this country is REALLY all about. I think you confuse "tolerance" with "indifference".
In general, people are CARING LESS. I say too much Prozac in society.

"It is my opinion that the views of many blacks help to keep whatever racial divide is still here."

You got a LOT of nerve for saying that shit! Europeans came to this country, STOLE it from the Native people and slaughtered many, used AFRICANS to build it and reaped the profits all the while refusing to make amends for the deeds done throughout history; committing all kinds of dreadful acts of oppression and remember up intil the 1960s blacks weren't even allowed to VOTE and now everthing is supposed to be COOL? Its black people who help keep the racial divide? Even though racism and cultural bias is still alive & well? I hope you're not a judge by occupation. I'd hate to see how many victims get locked up for pissing the criminals off. The TRUTH is individually people are cool, but if you expect the world to hold hands and sing Kum-By-Ya and claim we're all the same, you need to wake up. Integration does NOT work. Only by teaching EQUAL RESPECT OF ALL CULTURES and allowing all cultures to have a voice can we be unified. I know this idea is in the minority on this board, but ask yourself...if we are all alike, then WHO are we all just like?

BlaqueKnight out.
[This message was edited Mon Jun 2 10:03:22 PDT 2003 by BlaqueKnight]

>>>What is it with a large portion of the black race that insists that black leaders must be "black"

Because if they are not black, then they are not black leaders. <<<

But who defines "black"? Why is there a divide here between "blacks"? There shouldnt be.

>>>You think Uncle Tom is a racist comment? Hmmm. Interesting. Here's an answer: the history of the black community has always been to push towards cultural unity. This is acceptable with Jews, asians, and every other minority community as well as various cultures within the majority. When someone who the black community helps push towards a position of power, it is expectected that that member of the community will not compromise basic cultural ethics. Dr. Rice and Mr. Powell are smart people; brilliant in some ways, BUT in siding with the agenda of the white upperclass males, they forsake the expectations of their culture, thereby "selling out" to a political agenda that favors rich white males over their own community and bluntly reinforces that time & time again.
<<<

Uncle Tom is a very racist comment! Dr. Rice and Mr. Powell do not side with an agenda of white upper-class males. They side with an agenda of working hard, striving and earning an education and honors, being held accountable for their actions and responsibility. There are many others who do the same like J.C. Watts, Alan Keyes, Walter Williams... etc. They are all called "Uncle Toms" because they have succeeded through hard work and dicipline. It is sick when hard working blacks such as them are looked down upon while Al Sharpton, Cynthia McKinney and Jesse Jackson are looked up to for supporting inherently racist policies like Affirmative Action. Dont you find Affirmative Action and other policies like that to be racist? If I were black I would be disgusted! All those policies and so-called "black leaders" are really saying is "we dont think you are good enough so you can have preferential treatment". I would much rather side with the "uncle tom" leaders who expect the most out of their people than the leaders who think blacks need special treatment because they arent good enough. Yes, I will agree that it is much tougher for blacks to succeed because of past policies, but It can happen through hard work and these "Uncle Toms" are proof.

>>>"We are in a time now where people are more tolerant then ever with race or sexual orientation."

Tolerance is a position of agrrogance. Who is to be "tolerated"? What we are in is a a state of realization that poses the question of what this country is REALLY all about. I think you confuse "tolerance" with "indifference". <<<
My point was, times have changed and are always changing. In just the past 20-30 years, blacks have been given more and more oppertunity, day after day after day. In this sense, racial tolerance has grown. Children are growning up now who dont see color. They dont care about racial profiles and stereotypes. It is time to break the stereotypes for good.

>>>You got a LOT of nerve for saying that shit! Europeans came to this country, STOLE it from the Native people and slaughtered many, used AFRICANS to build it and reaped the profits all the while refusing to make amends for the deeds done throughout history; committing all kinds of dreadful acts of oppression and remember up intil the 1960s blacks weren't even allowed to VOTE and now everthing is supposed to be COOL? Its black people who help keep the racial divide? Even though racism and cultural bias is still alive & well? I hope you're not a judge by occupation. I'd hate to see how many victims get locked up for pissing the criminals off. The TRUTH is individually people are cool, but if you expect the world to hold hands and sing Kum-By-Ya and claim we're all the same, you need to wake up. Integration does NOT work. Only by teaching EQUAL RESPECT OF ALL CULTURES and allowing all cultures to have a voice can we be unified. I know this idea is in the minority on this board, but ask yourself...if we are all alike, then WHO are we all just like? <<<

I do not disagree that racism towards blacks still exists. But not nearly in the same degree as even 20 years ago! Yes, there are still ignorant people of all races who believe they are better or they deserve more because of their race (yourself included). The fact remains that the only way to end the cycle is to break the cycle. Dr. Rice and Mr. Powell have done that. They have broken the cycle and can be commended for hundreds of years for it. Also, how can you teach "EQUAL RESPECT OF ALL CULTURES" if these blacks are constantly called "Uncle Toms"? That is not teaching any kind of respect.

As I said, one can keep their culture. Keep their heritage. Keep their beliefs. All while being an upstanding member of society regardless of race, creed, color or sex.

In closing. I am not in any way racist towards blacks. I feel that many blacks beliefs (yes, along with racist policies of the past) are helping to keep the race segregated. The only way to end racist stereotyping is to break the cycle we know of and new black role models need to be born and not put down as "uncle toms". all views need changing on all sides of the coin, but putting down hard working and successful african-americans only takes a few steps backwards for the black race.

Please keep in mind. I do not mean to offend anyone. Yes, i am a young white male and I know that I havent the same experiences behind he to truely know anything about racial bias from a blacks perspective. I just understand that there is a racial gap that needs to be fixed in America. There always has been one and at the rate we are going now there always will be one. I believe the so-called "Uncle Toms" do more to fix that gap than many members of the black race give them credit and believe they should be commended, not put down. They are heros and role models and should be treated as such.

with that.... i must be leaving work. until tomorrow.....
[This message was edited Mon Jun 2 11:17:51 PDT 2003 by chemmie]

Man. b-knight...superb points. passionate and straight to the point! ok..chemmie,i like your points,too!

ok...the question was why does it have to be that way?

let me address that question. if this was a perfect world-
where everyone was treated equal and we (america) didn't have a bad history regarding race-then the answer would be
easy. but because there is a history of people getting
oppressed and treated like sub-humans and many of their
gifts (music being a HUGE part of afro-american culture)
being stolen-the answer isn't an easy one .

what i'm trying to relate is prince should be accepted for
what he is but that's not gonna happen cuz RACE is always
gonna be out there. for those who don't see it-its there.
trust me. (you gotta open your eyes)

again let me give ya some examples of what this is all about. take JAMES brown (whom is a definite influence on
prince) for most of his long career he kept his musical
style rooted in gospel/blues/r & b (which led to dunk)
with the following result he was a GOD in the black community and made most of his money off of HIS people.

now...he had white fans particularly during the 1964-66
period...he was on american bandstand a ton of times and
was on every major "rock/pop tv show at this time. he was
almost a crossover star...until he did "i'm black and
proud" and then WHAM. the door shut with the mainstream and
he was back to being a 'black star".

this didn't bother jb at all. because he hadn't changed his
style anyway and he knew blacks were the ones keeping his
wealthy! ok...fast forward years later when he wasn't
popular with anyone. sly stallone got him in his rocky
movie-jb does LIVING IN AMERICA and he's a BIG crossover
star again. with a watered down generic brand of funk that
wouldn't have sold to HIS ole fans at all.

ok. example 2: the ISLEY BROTHERS. these guys have been
doing it since 1957! and are currently high on the R& B
charts with an album produced by a "isley child" r. kelly.

you wonder how can this be? simple. ronnie's style has
never changed. its based on what he did back in ohio in
his mom's church. its gospel with doo-wop-r & b mixed in
there. when you add baby brother ernie's rock/blues guitar
work (which ain't that much different than what prince does)
you got the basics of why the isleys have stayed with the
people for 5 decades.

yes they've done pop and rock songs (summer breeze & hello
its me) for years but with a strong black edge that has
kept their fans. they've had down periods like everybody that's been doin' it that long but for the most part they
didn't compromise their integrity too much.

the isleys and jb are high on my list of all-time faves
who did it their way. jb's lost his way more than they have
but that's because of personal demons.

i realize that not everybody can stay true to their roots.
remember when a record company signs you they feel they
reserve the right to market the artist the way they see fit.

motown (ran by a black man) was notorious for over doing with pushing their artist way away from their ROOTS.

anybody familiar with marvin gaye's history knows he and
berry fought each other like dogs over the making of
"what's goin' on" (the album).
berry thought the single was CRAP. and only allowed marvin
to do the album (because he didn't believe marvin could
finish the album.

berry's view was as a businessman. in his mind he wanted
hits that everybody on america liked. something as BLACK
and streetwise as "what's GOIN' on "was bad business to
him!

the point here is-berry's view wasn't any different than
his white "counter parts" (other record executives)
he wanted his black stars to be bleached and as non-black
as possible.

was that right? some would say yeah. berry made it BIG and
made his MARk in history- would cares if he did it THAT
way.
i love motown's artists and the musicians but i never agreed
with berry's view.
but again i'm just a fan. maybe i'm being unrealistic.

so back to prince...if we were all equal. and race didn't
matter (to the people in power) prince could have stayed
the way he was and a lot of black artists would have too.

however...its not that way.

i'm not RAGGin on prince for the choice he made. i understand it. i also understand how many of his old fans
feel about him "crossin' over".

i got more to say on this but i want to hear more feedback
from everyone else.

again...b-knight..i BOW to ya my man...

charles youngca (oh yeah...i give you props to anji!)

"But who defines "black"? Why is there a divide here between "blacks"? There shouldnt be."

The black community as a whole defines the CULTURE. Being "black" as a race is not the issue. Who do YOU think should define "black"? Pop culture? Not a chance

Uncle Tom is a very racist comment! Dr. Rice and Mr. Powell do not side with an agenda of white upper-class males. They side with an agenda of working hard, striving and earning an education and honors, being held accountable for their actions and responsibility. There are many others who do the same like J.C. Watts, Alan Keyes, Walter Williams... etc. They are all called "Uncle Toms" because they have succeeded through hard work and dicipline. It is sick when hard working blacks such as them are looked down upon while Al Sharpton, Cynthia McKinney and Jesse Jackson are looked up to for supporting inherently racist policies like Affirmative Action. Dont you find Affirmative Action and other policies like that to be racist? If I were black I would be disgusted! All those policies and so-called "black leaders" are really saying is "we dont think you are good enough so you can have preferential treatment". I would much rather side with the "uncle tom" leaders who expect the most out of their people than the leaders who think blacks need special treatment because they arent good enough. Yes, I will agree that it is much tougher for blacks to succeed because of past policies, but It can happen through hard work and these "Uncle Toms" are proof.

There are many hard working invividuals within the black community who have attained success WITHOUT the compromise of the culture on the whole. Because Dr. Rice and Mr. Powell are in POLITICS, they have added pressure to come correct. If they can not do so, fuck 'em. They need not seek support from the black community, because they won't get it. Affirmitave Action is a REACTIONARY program put into place to attempt to help correct a problem created by rich Euro-American OPPRESSION of an underclass. I noticed you named Jesse Jackson in your little spew. The same Jesse Jackson that created the Push for excellence program that was put in place to help minority students in inner city schools who achieved academic excellence advance? The same Jesse that brought home the hostages whose captors wouldn't even discuss release with our president? You need to do your research and stop listening to so much republiklan talk radio.



"My point was, times have changed and are always changing. In just the past 20-30 years, blacks have been given more and more oppertunity, day after day after day. In this sense, racial tolerance has grown. Children are growning up now who dont see color. They dont care about racial profiles and stereotypes. It is time to break the stereotypes for good.


It is this LIE that has put this country in the position that its in now. As I said earlier, if we are all the same, then what are we all supposed to BE? White? I said NOTHING of stereotypes but rather the FACT that learning CULTURAL RESPECT, which is NOT the idea our society promotes, is the REAL answer because it is the REAL issue. I WILL NOT PRETEND. Most black folks know that society is not set up for the subscribing to that falsehood by minorities. 20 years of small attempts at rectification can not undo hundreds of years of deceit, deception, oppression and financial devestation. Individuals CAN succeed on their own, but there is tremendous pressure to conform to a so-called standard that was not put in place on "equal" terms, or with minorities even in consideration for that matter. Business in America is predominantly WHITE MALE. In order to attain a certain degree of success one HAS to make cultural sacrifices; which shouldn't be necessary. If you think this is not true, you are fooling yourself.

I do not disagree that racism towards blacks still exists. But not nearly in the same degree as even 20 years ago! Yes, there are still ignorant people of all races who believe they are better or they deserve more because of their race (yourself included). The fact remains that the only way to end the cycle is to break the cycle. Dr. Rice and Mr. Powell have done that. They have broken the cycle and can be commended for hundreds of years for it. Also, how can you teach "EQUAL RESPECT OF ALL CULTURES" if these blacks are constantly called "Uncle Toms"? That is not teaching any kind of respect.

As I said, one can keep their culture. Keep their heritage. Keep their beliefs. All while being an upstanding member of society regardless of race, creed, color or sex.

In closing. I am not in any way racist towards blacks. I feel that many blacks beliefs (yes, along with racist policies of the past) are helping to keep the race segregated. The only way to end racist stereotyping is to break the cycle we know of and new black role models need to be born and not put down as "uncle toms". all views need changing on all sides of the coin, but putting down hard working and successful african-americans only takes a few steps backwards for the black race.[/quote]


Its funny how easily you stereotyped ME - "Yes, there are still ignorant people of all races who believe they are better or they deserve more because of their race (yourself included)."assuming that just because i disagree with YOU that I believe a certain way and yet you CLAIM to be all in favor of so-called equality. I have NEVER believed I deserved MORE because of ANYTHING, much less my race - of which I had NOTHING to do with, yet because I won't submit to a mentality that leads to more negativity and oppression you seek to cast me in the same light as those who are looking for a free ride? And you wonder WHY black folks are they way they are? LOL! Just check your posts. I simply offered an explanation as to WHY Powell & Rice are called "Uncle Toms". It is the FAKE behavior; playing "the game". No one has questioned their accomplishments OR their successes, just their politics. As I said, there are MANY black success stories in this country aside from Rice & Powell's. Bottom line is BLACK PEOPLE will choose who BLACK PEOPLE champion as proper representatives of the culture AND THERE IS NOTHING NON-BLACKS CAN DO ABOUT IT. I believe it is this declaration of non-submission that threatens people like you who attempt to use passive-agressive bullying techniques to make points rather than open your minds to OTHER ideas and ACCEPT a position of non-participance. Its true that black folks have a little ways to go in terms of acceptance in certain areas, but if you are implying that ONLY by becoming republicans like Rice and Colin and foresaking the culture for success can we rise up, you are a fool. That will NEVER happen. There are many hard working and successful AMERICANS (not African-Americans - this country belongs to ALL who live here) who don't subscribe to politics that obviously contradict a progressive movement for the whole culture. Don't think that we are all uninformed fools who will entertain every little whim of an idea put before us. Prince received what is called BACKLASH, that's why he is changing his stance on certain issues. He is growing WISER. His religious choice is another issue altogether, but he has become more culturally aware over the years. It usually happens when successful blacks see the glass ceiling and begin to realize that they are brought up to believe the lie that hard work alone will afford one all the success there is to acheive and that its NOT really the TRUTH.

BlaqueKnight said:

:NO:

Anji said:

Starfish and coffee

Youngca related his cultural viewpoints back to Prince.

youngca said:

Charles, can you expand specifically on the highlighted point? This will be interesting! Thanks, Anji.

Anji said:

Oh yes, I'm afraid it is my friend. But because you seem cool, I will TOLERATE your post. (See what I mean?) Who does he think he is to TOLERATE MY POST, right? Acceptance, maybe but TOLERANCE = arrogance.

BlaqueKnight said:

Tolerance is to allows others to just be, whatever that might be. Things don't have to be 'cool' to be tolerated.

Anji said:

Agreed; its just the connotation of tolerance is usually that of endurance of a hardship or enduring something that has negative traits. I will NOT be tolerated for what I AM, but rather for what I DO. It is arrogant to say that one will TOLERATE a race. We are humans, and equals and all of us have the same rights as humans. One's race has no place in the judgement of what is to be "tolerated". Behavior is tolerated. Race is a trait, not a behavior and therefore should not be treated as such.

BlaqueKnight said:

Ah, I see.

To me, Prince has always been black. That's why I admired him growing up; it was encouraging to me to see a black man play whatever he wanted to play, wear whatever he wanted to wear, see whoever he wanted to see, without answering to anyone on either side of the racial divide as to whether he was "too black" or "not black enough." He was, at least outwardly, supremely confident and assured of himself and aware of his heritage. Regardless of whether he wore makeup, high heels and eyeliner, he was in that sense a positive role model for me.

I'm with BlaqueKnight on a lot of stuff he said.


I think we as black folk should tread very carefully in determining whether someone has attained a sufficient degree of blackness. Some cases are obvious (there's no doubt where, for example, Farrakhan and Clarence Thomas lie on respective sides of the scale). But a lot of cases are in between. Black people should judge each brother and sister on his/her own merits (the totality of the circumstances" if you will) and not have
preordained "standards" of blackness.

BlaqueKnight said:

Backlash from who, and why? I can't imagine Prince's religious and racial thinking are altogether separate issues, can you?

I take it that Larry G. is black?

Anji said:

Backlash from contemporary black culture in general. Many black folks respect Prince's abilities and call him genius but reject his choices to alter his appearence and play the "race game" just to broaden his audience. In his defense, I will say that at the time, in order to acheive what he has done, it was an EASIER choice to do what he did and succumb to the "popular" way of thinking in regards to race issues. I see why he made the choices he did. Nowadays, though to continue in the same manner of thinking after a few years of cultural awareness is generally unacceptable. Black people are attempting to make changes that can not be made by conforming to set ways of thinking. Preserving identity and introducing it into "mainstream" is one of those objectives. This can not be done by skin bleaching, hair straightening and other methods of covering up identity. I ain't mad at Prince, but I understand why younger black males want nothing to do with a bleached-out, permed-up, made-up, high heel wearing efeminate image of the black male because MOST black males DON'T look like that and don't want to. YoungCA used James Brown as a comparison. That was perfect. James did the heels and hair thing but still preached black positivity and unity the whole time. There was no mistaking his messages. When JB was most popular, it was when he was conveying a message that mainstreanm America wanted to hear. As far as Prince's religious & racial thinking being seperate, I don't know either. Someone will have to ask him. I know he has never denied being black, but the mere fact that he has attempted to "ride the lines" would leave a foul taste in the mouths of some people. His verses in "Race" convey the opposite position of many black people in the black community as well. It seems at points in time he has submitted to the same illusions pushed on middle class America on the whole. "Let's just all pretend and maybe everything will be okay" has never worked for black folk. Especially when progress is not being made for the community as a whole.

I'mma chill on this topic. It was...um,...interesting. Peace.
[

Man, I didn't see this thread blowing up like this when it first started. I'm not as well read as I should be, but I pretty much followed everything that's been said. BlacqueKnight you blew me away. You're a heavy brother. Wish that I could put the words together like that. Chemmie, I understand a lot of what you are saying, but I've got to take exception with the colorblind society thing, whether you're referring to kids or not. I don't know what race you are, so I'll use myself as an example. If a white, asian, or whatever person looks at me and say that they don't see that I'm black, then aren't they denying the obvious. I am black. Don't deny what is an important part of who I am. See that I'm black, acknowledge that I'm black, and accept me as a black man. This isn't an attack on you, just a correction. You're cool with me. One more thing that I want to throw out there (and I don't know all of the fine print on this thing), for the longest time, I assumed that African Americans had the right to vote. Well, we do, but that right has to be voted on every few years(not sure how many) by the powers that be in D.C. Equal playing field? Not yet. Not close! What if they decided that blacks shouldn't/couldn't vote? What other race of people in the U.S. have their voting rights up for a decision.
Okay. The soapbox is free now. I know that this didn't contribute to the Prince discussion, but the door was open.


Peace

See what you started Anji:)

I'm sorry but I must say about the earlier comments by June and all. A lot of it is kinda true about Prince just wanting to broaden his audience and the make-up of the Revolution worked in my mind, and even though I was only about 7 years old I new he was black because the simple reason is I look just like him and I knew I was black.

Also I've dated both black and white but mostly black girls that looked like me and now I'm very close friends to a hispanic girl and am working on a relationship but hey thats just the way it happened, we met through work and we talked and got along and are friends.

There is a lot that can be said on this thread about his being darker on some album covers and all but in another Prince Color thread it was mentioned that he wore tanning makeup because he was to light skinned and Warner wanted to put him into the R&B catagory for which he went along with because he was young at the time.

And yes sometimes the "Black" community will be a little shy or stand offish towards light skinned or High Yellow people because they think that we think that we are better than them and as far as I am concerned that could be as far from the truth as possible because hey let me tell you I work in an office that is 97% white and I make sure to work 10 times as hard to keep up because you know what ... I'm still black

Sad but hey I think things like this will always be an issue and this thread is interesting as hell because like I said I look just like Prince, "a light skinned pretty boy" I hate that little lable "with fine hair and nice skin tone"
I can relate and yes some people in the black community do look at us different and to show you who might not believe it I'll tell you a true story.
One time I was dating a dark skinned black girl and went to a function with her family and afterwards she told me that one of her uncles told her dad that she got a white boy as in ponting out my complexion. She thought it was funny but it made me think if some people look at me that way before getting to know me.

Just thought I'd lay in my