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Fredric is a web developer based in Chicago who hopes to one day start a foundation to support young, Black males in programming and computer science.

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why are black blogs so angry?

March 5th, 2007 • Related • Filed Under

Young Black Professional Guide Angry Black Blogsnow that we’ve moved to a new site, it’s going to take awhile for the new posts to finally make their way through the google spiders and finally get indexed. in the meantime, googling ‘ybpguide’ will bring up most of the blogspot posts. i did some more searching through google’s new blogsearch tool using the key phrases ‘black professionals’ and ‘african-american’ and found some disturbing trends.

why are black blogs so angry?

don’t get me wrong, life can be a pain in the ass sometimes. in the words of talib: “the president’s a bush and the vice president’s a dick, so a-whole-lotta f!#$’n is what we gon’ get!”

but come on people, does an entire BLOG have to be about how ‘wtf’ obama had to be when speaking to the israeli demographic or how a poor black kid died from not having enough dental insurance? let’s think about it. on one hand, the stories can generate a variety of emotions including outrage, anger, and disbelief. on the other hand, relishing in these type of emotions can ultimately have negative effects on our health. it takes more energy to be angry. anger can often lead to a closed mind. a closed mind leads to isolation and ultimately doesn’t help anyone.

while a cynical opinion about current politics is often a sure fire way to gain more readership through controversy and ‘yeah, i said it’ mentalities, i feel like the ultimate result of such a point of view is a lot people perviabially standing behind you saying ‘yeah, you showed them’. that’s awesome and everything, but no one is actually listening to the issues or fostering dialogue. it’s a simple pow wow of people venting their frustration and one loud representative showing out. i didn’t like these type of exchanges in the student union at wash u, and i can’t say that i enjoy them while going through my daily routine of current world news.

i hope you find ybpguide.com a breathe of fresh air. while i do not disagree that the world can be a harsh place and requires a firm upper lip and quick wit, life is more enjoyable through a positive disposition and balanced dialogue.

the keyword in that sentence: balance.

that is what the young black professional guide is about.

Viewing 15 Comments

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    Anger can be postive if the energy can contribute to a outcome of more success. We all know how difficult it is to be great at something. I have used anger as a way to ensure in the corporate world I drove myself to out perform the white boys. When I did that, it was their turn to be angery. No matter the situation if we are put down by racism, It is our duty to get back up and find a way to win.My blog blackinbusiness.org is trying to build a community of winners. Greatness is a state of mind
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    while i do agree somewhat, greatness can also be achieved through networking and relationships. while i have no doubt run into the 'why do you have an attitude' at work...only because i wasn't smiling at the time...there is a small reality there.

    i can do a lot of things myself, but i can also play the game to work smarter towards my goals, not just harder.

    while controlled anger is a profound skill to learn, in the corporate world, it may be wasted. humility and cunning are best practiced amongst the white boys to 'get in' and change the game. anger is best a subtle reminder to the sacrifice our ancestors laid for us to get where we are now.

    would you want your sons and daughters to be angry after all of the hard work you put in?
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    Fredric, my anger was put to good use and I never would have been a corporate success with out white networks as well. My stance is you do not have to sell out to be liked. In some ways i was a revolutionary and some of the black uncle toms and miss sallys, felt I was crazy. I was outspoken on issues of race but at the end of the day, I had more respect and success than the ass kissers. this is a complicated topic and difficult to fully explain within a blog. I agree there is much we can learn from white execs, no body plays the politic game like they do. Regarding my children, I hope they can find a way to win with out the corporate experience but what ever it is, I would not want them to sell their dignity for success
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    Man, I'm lovin' this blog already.

    Good to have found you on MyBlogLog.

    And that's a sweet header -- Own the Penthouse -- Change the Game -- does that rotate?

    This must be WordPress.

    Who's hosting your blog?

    Ah...so many questions.

    I just email subscribed, so I'll be back.

    Peace,
    Paula
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    definitely!

    the header is from images of places we've been with a few of my non-marketing prowess. lol

    yep, wordpress. hosted by 1and1.com

    glad you're enjoying it!
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    I totally agree with the sentiments of your blog. I too tire of the constant angriness. Being in such a state can make draw out your resources leaving you with little for positive energy.

    Here in the UK, I find on a number of forums both online and offline that so many miss out on the celebrations that can be had within the rich fibre of the African diaspora.

    Nice blog btw, and nice to see the family from MyBlogLog on here too. What a small world
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    one question:

    someone please define "selling out" to me.

    Too often, African-Americans are labeled as "sell outs" because they move through different (i.e. not just white) social circles and networks with ease.

    I don't think that Fredric is advocating "selling out"...whatever that is... he's simply stating what many of us are already thinking: let's figure out what we are mad about before we run around being mad. There is plenty to be angry about in the world (major and minor), but I feel like my energy is best used focused on my goals and not letting others and what they do guide me. Keep them in your periphreal, not your straight away.

    And often, maybe not with you JC, but with others the anger is misguided and lacks focus. Those who came before us and died for us had a cause and a vision. To me, I just see unbridled anger with no focus....just a bunch of people being angry because they can.

    That's wack. It's not getting anything accomplished.

    Please, let us not confuse anger with motivation. Motivation is that something internal that can be spawn from that external anger, but in general motivation is turned into positive energy that moves you along in this life. There's a difference beyween the two.

    The feeling that I get from the angry black blogs is always the "it's someone else's fault that things are the way they are." And yes, it would be naive to say that America doesn't have a long way to go, but I haven't heard a measure of accountability in any of the ABB's that I've read.

    Just my .02
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    If we are considering the idea of balance here, we must understand that extremity is included in the equation to achieve the balance that you speak of.

    It was a selfish move on the part of emphasizing your own blog to dismiss the "Angry Black Bitch" blog. Why? For one, the act of dismissing the blog only promotes the disunity we don't need. For two? Her post about healthcare wasn't angry at all. As an attempt in gatekeeping media, you must understand one rule: be honest to your readers.
    That was a dishonest move.

    For three? You come to the table with your own social location. Maybe you're not a mad Black person, maybe she is. It's not your place to question why Black people are angry just because you aren't.

    So while I understand the aim of your blog, I'd have to suggest that your execution be a bit better. Dismissing another blog just to emphasize why yours is different isn't too much unlike what we experience with tabloids. So if you want to come a long and be different, come along and be different- but there's no reason to knock someone down if you claim to be promoting something positive.
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    ms, i respect your opinion, but i think you may have inferred too much from my post. i'll attempt to answer your points, one by one.

    in terms of me being 'selfish', disagreeing with a sentiment does not indicate 'disunity'. what would i have to do to be unified? agree with the authors? praise their blogs? unity to me means being able to stand together behind a cause. anger is not a cause. blacks do not have to think and feel the same to be 'unified'. not that i am implying that i am on the same accord with our heroes, but were malcolm and martin not unified in their purpose despite the difference of emotion in their message?

    you're second point. you ask me to be honest, and i honestly felt that anger is not a healthy emotion and is not how i've seen action progress. the cool thing about a blog vs. a newspaper is that it is a collaboration of 'opinions', not a syndicated news media. in this case, i am telling our readers that our blog will try to give a balanced approach in not only material, but sentiment.

    as for your third point, i have to disagree with 'my place'. it may not be my place to judge that person, but i can definitely ask 'why'. how else will dialogue be fostered? how else can i present a counter opinion if i don't ask why?

    i think the concept of 'questioning the way someone sees things' as a form of insult is far-reaching. if someone is going to take offense to me asking why they think the way they think, then why enter the discussion.
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    I really think MS. has some good points. It does feel a little as if you're comparing blogs and saying why yours is better. I think it's important that blogs be different and that people express different ideas in different ways, whatever way works for them. And some people will connect with that or even prefer that. It's not always about readership or making everyone coming to your blog happy, which is impossible. Even blogs that are not angry bother some readers for some reason or another.

    No, not everyone is going to want to read anger, and anger is not always healthy. But it's a blog vs going out and hurting someone physically over anger. Venting on the blog might be one of the reasons why that person is not out doing something that truly is unhealthy, and, if that's the case, it is healthy and cathartic.

    People get angry, and that's natural. I don't think it's natural to always say, "Well, I'm going to focus on what's positive and not express anger"...that can be like burying anger rather than dealing with it. Sometimes you need to be angry, and then you'll be able to figure out solutions later once you're over it or have calmed down.

    I think the questions "why are black blogs so angry" and figuring out where the anger is coming from have obvious answers and are probably answered in many of the blogs you'd hate to read just because people are telling exactly what they're angry about and why in a way you don't agree with. But, as someone said, not all blacks are the same, so maybe it's not obvious to all blacks why so many blacks are angry and feel the need to express that in writing sometimes.
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    I've never understood all the black anger either. I've reached out many times with kindness and respect to blacks and too often gotten hatred in return. The toughest thing for me to figure out is why their anger is directed at me as a Caucasian, when it was their own parents that looked around and decided to bring them into this world.
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    Angry, what for, we continue to live the life that are counterparts would like. ANRGY, at the many Africans in this country that refuse to love their brothers and sisters, yet loving everyone else. This is not the dream of our fallen leaders, that we are still hoping for the dream rather than making it happen. We need better focus on common---unity (community) where there are two or more of us gathering. Slavery is and will aways be part of the history here in this country and that which will keep us from achieving the very best in the future. Remember there is a plan to return us back to the plantation as before or maybe we are still there mentally . Stop, Look and listen to your societies today and pay close attention to how thing are moving in this world. Our Mother country Africa is the diamond which we need to cultivate as Marcus Garvey knew, once Africa becomes totally African again, only then will we see a change in the way we are treated in the world. Yes, I am angry; Now make it work for all of us Start the Movement Now!!!! We need a lot more than Forty Acres and a Mule, we need all of Africa for the Africans at home and abroad. By Any Means Necessary, I Have A Dream. What are we doing for the many that have given their lives for us. Can we start giving back, and if so, HOW?
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    Hello everybody:
    Let me introduce myself. I am the author of the best selling book "The Angry Black Man's Guide to Success" Anger can be a powerful motivating force if coupled with prayer and given direction but if not used properly, it can lead to self destuctive behavior. I am glad your blog is up. Please visit mine also at www.abmgts.blogspot.com JD and Frederick, keep the discusion going. Remwmber, its all about building wealth.
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    I believe our anger comes from the cultural and spiritual work which is undone in our lives,in our work, and in our society-and we are bunch of impatient YBP- and coming from a constitution standard that told my father, before an agreement could be reached-I was 3/5 of a man-I have every damn right to show, but use controlled anger, until-I am made whole, or until that damn white privilege crowd gets it! The price of living in a world, where every day-someone remains you-you are black, or they fear you-well anger is simply the best spin off we should offer, if we are sane. Ybp-dont have criminal records vertifing anger-and that is a good thing!
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    I can't speak about Skeptical Brotha, but Angry Black Bitch is a blog about politics, social issues, race and feminism. If you can't blog angry about those topics, you don't need to blog.
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