My traffic has been picking up, and I may have a few new readers and potential commenters who don’t know me and haven’t read my blog or column archives. I want to re-post an entry from July 9, 2004, “Totally Gratuitous, Self-centered, Blowing-Off-Steam-On-A-Friday Post.” It was a reaction that had built up from reading other blogs and comments.
It might be helpful to some here today. I don’t know. Whatever. Here it is:
July 9, 2004
“Before I get started, I want to apologize to first time visitors or friends visiting in response to my morning e-mail. This rant is brought on by some of the derogatory and disparaging comments I’ve been reading about myself on other blogs and from those who e-mail me or come onto my blog to insult me. Pardon this post, and thank you for your kind words of support.
At least once a year, I think I’m going to publicly blow off steam and address liberals who seem to resent my very existence. First of all, this blog is a not a democracy; it’s a dictatorship and I’m a benevolent dictator. Absolute freedom of speech doesn’t exist anywhere, except maybe on a deserted island, and freedom of speech in the constitutional sense doesn’t exist on this blog for anyone but me.
It takes a lot for me to lose my temper. Surrounded by liberals, I’ve had little choice but to develop a thick skin. I take the ad hominem for what it’s worth, and I welcome civil dialogue with all.
I know what liberals say about me. Sometimes the bloggers link to a specific post and end up in my referrer’s list, sometimes they don’t link at all. I find these by googling myself from time to time. Some of the posts are laden with emotion and boiling over with intense dislike for me and what I have to say; others respectfully disagree. As I am free to write what I want, they are free to criticize.
A few times I found outright lies. One person in particular roams through the blogosphere operating under at least three different aliases and has at least three different blogs. A frequent blog commenter, the person’s writing style is unique. I know it’s coming from the same mind. The individual has been banned from my site and many others for personal attacks, outrageous accusations and lies.
Mama said there’d be days like this. Since starting my column, I’ve experienced what I’d been warned would happen: venom. For a long time, it’s been taboo in the black community to talk/write publicly about what ails us.
I’ve read/heard what liberals of any color have to say about Ward Connerly, Justice Clarence Thomas and Condoleezza Rice. Just yesterday, I found out about a disgusting cartoon put out by Ted Rall. According to Rall, who is a white liberal, Rice is a “House Nigga.” I’ll let Baldilocks, Michael and Molotov fill you in on the details.
I’m not above criticism and I don’t abhor dissent. I have commenters on this blog right now whose sole purpose is to disagree with everything I have to say. As long as they don’t call me names or insult me, I put up with it because they sometimes have valid arguments.
So if anyone out there is compelled to trash me, please read my blog and column archives. It may help you understand where I’m coming from or it may not, I don’t know. Do what you want.
If you see inaccuracies in my writing or flaws in my argument, tell me about it. Besides making you feel better, calling me names advances nothing. If you don’t have your own blog, start one. They’re free! You can hang up your shingle today, this very minute, and rant about whatever you want (but be mindful of laws against defamation).
If you can’t deal with me now, you better stop reading this blog and my articles, because as long as liberalism continues to erode society, my voice will only get louder. This a free country. Go read someone else’s blog and don’t even think of trying to comment on this one unless you’re willing to treat me and my commenters with respect.
I have my own mind, my own beliefs and my own opinions. My skin color does not require me to abide by an unwritten code of conduct. Blacks are not a homogeneous entity moving in lockstep toward some phantom destination.
We are a sub-culture of the American culture with diverse interests and opinions. Some of us even express those opinions publicly. Blacks are not special in the sense that we are above comment, criticism or chastisement. We are not required to refrain from speaking out against someone just because they or we are black. We have the same rights as any other American, and it is a privilege to be able to hold different views and freely share them as we see fit.
I will exercise that right as long as God sees fit to let me live.”
{ 17 comments }
wow.
I’m one of the reasons your traffic is picking up – as of about a week ago – and you will keep getting traffic from me. You’re right on target from all I’ve read so far. And your personal story is inspiring. Don’t let the liberal hate-mongers get you down. Blow off steam when you need to, but remember there are a lot of us quiet believers out here supporting you.
Just wow, La Shawn – - excellent post! I’ve got ya linked all over
La Shawn, I notice that alot of commenters write nearly a whole page length in their comment. I do not have enough time in the day to read the lengthy comments, and I don’t know where you find the time either. I tend to skip over those comments to be honest. I think some people need to start their own blogs!
With open comments (unmoderated, unregistered), I have to read pretty much every single word to make sure there’s no profanity or name-calling. My commenters do tend to write long! But I don’t mind. I like to see people discussing and hashing out these complex issues.
With this post, you’ve answered in the affirmative a question that up to now has been only theoretical: Is it possible for a man to fall in lust with a woman’s mind?
Gosh. How do I reply? I’ll have to think about it.
LOL — yeah, it was a compliment. I supposed I should have merely echoed Dex’s “Wow,” and told you that I’m blown away by your talent. No need to reply, and I hope that you weren’t offended.
No, I’m not offended, especially since it’s my mind you like!
La Shawn
Now that you’ve blown off some steam. Have a warm bath and a good nights sleep and….get ready to start again.
You know the goobers (I’m a nice person and can’t call them what they really are) are going to come after you again. They just can’t stand to have the truth presented as well as you do it.
I really appreciate your blog. God bless you.
It’s not just for new readers. I enjoyed reading it again. Even though you present it as a blowing-off-steam rant, it shows your writing at its most energized, fluid, and cogent. It reads like a declaration of independence. Thanks for re-posting it.
Brava!
Nicley written, La Shawn. Here in Manhattan the very fact of your existence would be greeted with disbelief or suspicion. I find your intelligence, faith, and grace a welcome relief from the constant din of received liberal opinion that surrounds me wherever I go in New York.
Keep the faith!
LaShawn – you go girl!!!!! I am certainly not mad atcha!!!! If you can’t speak your peace and be honest about what is on your mind, then no one can. Censorship of one is censorship of all. Who said we all have to think alike anyway?!?!? That makes me really burn. So – let the critics go on being critics still. You do and say what is in you to do and say – you would be very surprised at how many true supporters you have. We may not all agree about every single thought – but we SUPPORT you!! Shalom!
I truly enjoy your writing. If you write something I disagree with I will explain why, but nicely.
I have come in from time to time to read.
I have been following the Chechen hostage crisis, and I am sickened by this. They are just babies.
Foul evil…there isn’t a word bad enough for the perpetrators. Better for them that they had a millstone around their necks than to face God’s judgement.
I will keep the survivors in my prayers.
God bless you LaShawn. Continue to walk in His light, all else will be taken care of for you.
Feel free to blow off steam here anytime. We’re here for ya!
Comments on this entry are closed.
{ 1 trackback }