I'm getting more feedback from DangerousNEGRO fans. OK...well, just one more comment. But whatever. Apparently my cynical post about their enterprise is perceived as unsupportive of Black men, ill-informed, negative, etc. etc.
However, I have yet to be corrected on how they are NOT:
- supporting a capitalist regime
- homophobic
- sexist
- uninclusive of all Black culture
Or, what they are really doing to support the Black community. Such as:
- amount of charitable giving to organizations whose mission it is to uplift, support, educate, etc. Afterall, if you make money off of people, shouldn't you at least give some back?
- other philanthropic efforts: are they in schools, are they on the streets? I mean what are they doing...key word "doing" not "selling" to support our people?
And I suppose I could come up with some sort of response, but really my rationale stands. Moxie is one out of a kajillion Black people in the world that doesn't like DangerousNEGRO. So what? I don't want to support these brothers as they have said I should be doing. The minute "brothers" start "supporting" "sisters" then we can talk about me spending my hard earned money on a t-shirt made in a sweatshop....because the key to Black empowerment is bought and sold apparently.
But this is exciting. Fostering dialogue...it's what I do.
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4 comments:
That brothers and sisters part was on point as all heck. I wanted to stand up and clap. Maybe I still will.
When I heard there was someone throwing salt on dangerousNEGRO's name I had to find out who it was. I have been down with the dN movement from day one. None of your points have any merit. Quite frankly I think you're just trying to play the devil's advocate.
If you had done any research at all you would have realized that these young brothers have traveled across the country giving lectures to students from middle school through college for FREE. You would have also realized that dangerousNEGRO donates to charitable organizations such as the Tavis Smiley Foundation, Save Darfur, and the Anti Poverty Initiative. Furthermore, I would really like to know where you are finding evidence of homophobic or sexist inuendo. I have looked on dangerousNEGRO.com for hours and I cannot find any evidence to support your claims. Sisters have been dangerousNEGRO's biggest supporters, so obviously no one else is getting these vibes.
As far as using sweatshops for labor, this claim is completely bogus as well. I know because I was the person that introduced these brothers to a black owned print shop out of Oakland to have their shirts made. You were really reaching with that one.
I'd like to commend you on your effort to gain attention by blindly attacking an organization that is a part of the solution instead of the problem. A couple of people know about your blog now... good job.
1) We haven't formed an official company response on our view of capitalism, but in my personal opinion capitalism is what allows you to have your blog and enough free time to waste/sit around hypothesizing about things while people like us are actually on the ground trying to help people. Capitalism isn't perfect, but show me a regime that is perfect, or even one that's better.
Capitalism is the way our people can get ahead in this game. Show me a socialist agenda that actually works and I'll listen. Your idealism is cute, however you shoud consider getting down here and fighting in the real world with the rest of us.
2) How are we sexist, homophobic, and uninclusive of all Black culture and how can we fix it? Where is the evidence? Let's get some CONSTRUCTIVE criticism.
3) Charitable Organizations: Save Darfur, Tavis Smiley's Y2L program, various Voter Registration Programs. We also speak to children at various events and schools.
4) Philanthropic Policy: I agree wholeheartedly that our company has a responsibility to give back....when we make a profit. However, we are still operating on negative net income. We're only just over a year old, and we haven't paid ourselves any salary whatsoever. How do you suggest we give more than we're giving when we have nothing more to give?
5) What are we doing to support our people? Well, besides starting dangerousNEGRO, we are all recent graduates from college, and several of us are pursuing graduate degrees. So first, just existing as successful, educated Black men is doing something. Every time I tell a white person I attend Harvard, I make a positive impact on the image of Black people in America. Second, I don't write blogs tearing down positive movements, so thats another way I "give back." Third, all of us volunteer on a regular basis whether it is on behalf of dN, or as individuals.
6) Our clothes are made in Louisville, KY in a place that nobody in their right mind would compare to a sweatshop, so I have no idea where you got this silly notion.
7) We're starting a MOVEMENT on a national level. At least we're trying. What are you doing?
Again, feel free to contact me personally if you actually want to get some facts before you write another ignorant response with no facts and no constructive suggestions.
Tre Baker
tre@dangerousnegro.com
What I don't think these DN folks realize is their homophobia manifests itself, like most homophobia, as heterosexism, and most people don't realize when they are being heterosexist because it seems so normal.
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