Hey folks.
Here’s a space to start building our Terms and Ideas lists for Hadiya Roderique’s “The Case for Black Joy.” I’ll post the essay here and two ways to download it.
Read it, then comment in the terms and ideas format (brush up on that here), but since the final exam is VERY important, do FIVE terms and at least TWO ideas. Try to add to our group knowledge by looking at what has already been posted, so that there’s less repetition. If you see a term or idea someone has posted that you could add value to, please reply to their comment!
A reminder on the Terms and Ideas form:
- Read the article (or essay or poem) first. Take note of things you need to look up. Look them up. Check that you are using a definition that makes sense.
- Mark sections of the text that introduce interesting ideas. This is much easier to do if you are reading on paper! If you are reading on-screen, write notes in a notebook. I know, it’s easier not to, but you will really, really wish you had done this when it is time to write a paper on this topic. Plus it makes you smarter.
- In you reply, list at least FIVE terms you looked up. This can mean just looking a word up in the dictionary — such as “tabernacle,” in the James Baldwin — or looking up a broader concept — such as “Congo Square” in wikipedia or similar. (Yes, wikipedia is fine for this purpose.)
- PROVIDE A SOURCE FOR YOUR DEFINITION. If you copy it word for word — which is fine for this assignment — PUT IT IN QUOTATION MARKS. You don’t need to use full MLA format for this assignment, though you are welcome to. A URL in parentheses or a link is fine. But get in the habit of giving credit to your sources.
- Next, write 1-3 paragraphs about TWO IDEAS in the text you think are worth further examination.
- After making your reply, return to the post and comment on 2-3 of your classmates’ replies. You may learn something! There are a lot of smart people around here.
Beckery -” A white women’s offense to the promotion and solidarity of women of color.” -https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=beckery
Page 1
Pantheon – To be god like of have some kind of strong impact -https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantheon,_Rome
Page 1
Downtrodden – To be suffering of oppression -https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/downtrodden
Page 3
Dissonate – “Being at variance; disagreeing.” – https://www.yourdictionary.com/dissonant
Page 3
Marginalized – “placed in a position of little or no importance, influence, or power” -https://www.dictionary.com/browse/marginalized
Page 4
I did enjoy how this essay written by Hadiya Roderique was written in modern day time so it made it become more personal. Her making her point where white people love to weigh in on how and what black people should enjoy was a powerful message because I’ve seen it time and time again, where white people give their opinions where its not needed or asked for.
The essay made very good points where black people face everyday in experiencing joy in life and looked down upon others just for living their own truth. It’s very apparent that she faces these challenges everyday which in todays age, that shouldn’t be tolerated in any way or such. She makes points about different aspects of her life whether it has to do with movies, personal life, or different events.
Revelation-“a surprising and previously unknown fact, especially one that made known in a dramatic way”-https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/revelation
page 1
Beckery -” A white women’s offense to the promotion and solidarity of women of color.”-https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=beckery
page1
Pantheon – “To be god like of have some kind of strong impact” -https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantheon,_Rome
Downtrodden-“oppressed or treated badly by people in power”.-https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/downtrodden
page 3
Dissonant-“lacking harmony”https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dissonant
page 3
I really really enjoyed this piece just off the simple fact that this is how a lot of colored people feel when we try to celebrate a win for our culture and someone tries to tell us how feel or they way to go about things and that is complete nonsense.The way she handled the “becky” was as classy as it can get she told her the facts and added her own information to it.I get that everyone is entitled to their own opinion but for her to come out and say “I guess nobody remembers Blade, The Matrix… all kickass.” that was funny because Hadiya post never said anything of that nature so her comment was irrelevant.
Im actually happy that I even got to read an essay like this because it’s just makes me smile and I could only imagine how I would have handled the situation and how she handled it that was 10 times better then I could imagine and I love she elaborated on how society can be celebrate more great black moments in history that shine on positivity other then our pain.I really really realized that until just now that social media and the world in general really only focus on our pain and not our talents or achievements so I learned a lot from this black joy essay and I stand completed with her in all aspects of the essay.
Homage: “something that shows respect or attests to the worth or influence of another : TRIBUTE”
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/homage
Afro-futuristic: “a cultural movement that uses the frame of science fiction and fantasy to reimagine the history of the African diaspora and to invoke a vision of a technically advanced and generally hopeful future in which Black people thrive: this movement is expressed through art, cinema, literature, music, fashion, etc.”
https://www.dictionary.com/browse/afrofuturism
Qualitative: “of, relating to, or involving quality or kind”
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/qualitative
Quantitative: “of, relating to, or involving the measurement of quantity or amount”
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quantitative
Reviosionist: “a person who revises, or favors the revision of, some accepted theory, doctrine, etc.”
https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/revisionist
This is a good reading that talks about “The Black Joy” and how the author, Hadiya Roderique tells readers how important it is to have more of this. What can be futher examined is on page 1, the “Black Joy’ because the author talks about seeing Black Panther for the first time and positng online about celebrating the success of an all black cast in a movie. Social Media today does not always agree in what we post and has people who will “rain on our parade” when we post something important we want celebrated. The author has a back and forth with “Becky” that Rodrique should pay “homage” to The Matrix and Blade that “paved” way for films of Black afro-futuristic cinema to exist. I agree that whiteness takes away that accomplishment because it is seen as an insult to celebrate Black Joy.
On page 3, I agree that Black joy is a resistance and should be more of it. People of color should show more pride that they see people like them accomplish big achievements. The author explaind that Black people’s pain and struggles are exploited to show that they are worth less compared to whites on film.
TERMS
Afrofuturism – a cultural aesthetic and philosophy of science and history that explores the developing intersection of African diaspora culture with technology. (Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afrofuturism)
Pantheon – a group of people who are famous within a particular area of activity (Source: https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/us/definition/english/pantheon)
Qualitative – relating to the quality of an experience or situation rather than to the facts that can be measured (Source: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/qualitative)
Quantitative – relating to numbers or amounts (Source: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/quantitative)
Dissonant – being at variance; disagreeing (Source: https://www.thefreedictionary.com/dissonant)
IDEAS
Hadiya Roderique made an excellent point when she said that the “roles that Black people occupy in movies and literature and media narratives” are about “pain and struggle exploited.” The entertainment industry is very selective about how they use Black narratives; they turn these stories into something marketable “without doing anything to challenge the continued inequalities and violence that shape it (source: https://electricliterature.com/how-the-entertainment-industrys-selective-use-of-black-culture-hurts-us-all/). The mainstream media capitalizes on and makes pain the center of the Black experience, that they are throwaway characters, have no identity outside of poverty, and are often used for comic relief or depicted as the villain. Many of these stories were created by and for the white gaze, without any consideration for how it affects and retraumatizes Black viewers.
Beckery – A white women’s offense to the promotion and solidarity of women of color. (https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=beckery) page 1
Pantheon – a group of people who are famous within a particular area of activity (https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/us/definition/english/pantheon?q=pantheon) page 1
Dispossession – the fact of having property, especially buildings or land, taken away from you, or the act of taking property away from a person or group (https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/dispossession) page 3
Affirmation – the assertion that something exists or is true (https://www.dictionary.com/browse/affirmation) page 3
Cultivate – to promote the growth or development of (an art, science, etc.); foster (https://www.dictionary.com/browse/cultivate) page 4
An idea that was truly thought-provoking for me was the concept of white confusion and jealousy when it comes to Black people enjoying something white people cannot. It reminded me of the times when my Gypsy mother suddenly smiles at me with so much love, pride and peace and says “Regardless of all, I love being a Gypsy so much, you know? Makes me feel so rich”. Because, yes, being POC and WOC comes with generations of pain and hardships but it also gives a lot. A culture, a community, often your own music, clothes, language… and even if you don’t engage with these things as much, they are undeniably a part of you because in the depth of you, you know what they mean and that they are yours. It is almost like a secret that comes with being a member of the given minority. It’s a sense of belonging and I can understand why one might me jealous of. But just as white guilt has enabled people to respect Black pain, it should be applied to Black joy as well.
In connection to the above, another thing that caught my attention was the idea of the exploitation of Black pain. Bringing attention to their suffering was Black people’s way out of their mistreatment because for some reason, only their pain made them seem humane enough for white authority figures to take notice, whereas one’s existence is more than enough ground for respect. What was once their remedy has been turned into a means of dehumanization, because the masses still struggle to see people of color as people.
Terms:
1. Contemplated- to think deeply or carefully about (something)
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contemplate
2. Ryan Coogleer- Ryan Kyle Coogler is an American film director, producer, and screenwriter. His first feature film, Fruitvale Station, won the top audience and grand jury awards in the U.S. dramatic competition at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ryan_Coogler_by_Gage_Skidmore.jpg
Also directed Black Panther
3. “Blade”- Movie
A half-mortal, half-immortal is out to avenge his mother’s death and rid the world of vampires. The modern-day technologically advanced vampires he is going after are in search of his special blood type needed to summon an evil god who plays a key role in their plan to execute the human race.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120611/
4. Beckery- A white women’s offense to the promotion and solidarity of women of color. Often will promote shared appreciation for all women, and discredit those who attempt to uplift minority women with praise or respect. Essentially, the fuckery Beckys may voice when credit is given to non white women.
https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=beckery
5.#inmyfeelingchallenge – The In My Feelings Challenge is the name for a viral dance trend in which people dance outside of an open car door to the song “In My Feelings” by rapper Drake.
https://www.dictionary.com/e/pop-culture/in-my-feelings-challenge/#:~:text=The%20In%20My%20Feelings%20Challenge%20is%20the%20name%20for%20a,My%20Feelings%E2%80%9D%20by%20rapper%20Drake.
Ideas:
When Hadiya Roderique mentions in the second paragraph how some women negatively commented on her post about how happy she was that finally a movie was made with an all-African American cast (Black Panther) the woman says “I guess nobody remembers Blade, The Matrix… all kickass.” After looking up both movies I can see why Hadiya was very upset and would say her Joy was taken away. In both movies, the main characters are African American. But that does not compare to a whole movie where every single person, even a whole country is African American and is based on Afrofuturism. Yes it’s the main character, and yes they are the “good guys” but that does not compare to the impact that Black Panther had on the whole world.
Hadiya Roderique uses the term Becky or Beckery a lot in her writing and it only made me question why and what does it mean. After looking up the definition of Becky I kept getting a stereotypical, basic white girl. But I always had a different view on it. The first time I heard it was in Beyonce’s song Lemonade where she says “Becky with the good hair” and I always thought that Becky wasn’t a white woman. If Beyonce is calling out someone for sleeping with her man why would she say she has good hair, especially if she is white, it just doesn’t make sense to me. So what I think a Becky is simply a woman that is jealous and trying to take something away from other women.
terms:
1. fetishizes or fetishization: is the act of making someone an object of sexual desire based on some aspect of their identity.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/janicegassam/2021/02/07/what-is-fetishization-and-how-does-it-contribute-to-racism/#:~:text=Fetishization%20can%20be%20thought%20of,some%20aspect%20of%20their%20identit.
page #3
2. POC: short of the person of color
https://languages.oup.com/google-dictionary-en/
page #1
3. Afro-Futuristic cinema:
Coined in 1994 by critic Mark Dery, the term “Afrofuturism” has become an essential framework for art about imagined and alternative Black experiences. As the author, Ytasha Womack writes, “Afrofuturism combines elements of science fiction, historical fiction, speculative fiction, fantasy, Afrocentricity, and magic realism with non-Western beliefs.” https://www.criterionchannel.com/afrofuturism
page #1
4. hypervisibility: Hypervisibility is associated with heightened scrutiny and surveillance where failures are magnified and individuals lack control over how they are perceived by others (Brighenti, 2007; Kanter, 1977; Lewis & Simpson, 2010).
page #3
5. bewildered: adjective
perplexed and confused; very puzzled.
page #1
oxford dictionary
The act of Hadiya recognizing her loss of joy for Becky’s comments makes relevant the courage and consciousness that a person has to have to don’t let others’ opinions dismiss her identity. She calls to the Black community to identify this and stoping it, to change the misconception that movies showed of the black past.
Acting against demotivating comments is also a call of expression and acceptance, changing the perspective of black pain and giving a better reaction to an empowered identity that in past time whites did. Instead celebrating their own culture or roots will promise a new perspective of Black culture and will keep alive the Afro-Futurism ideas.
this has raised a new concept of blacks in the future and a happy feeling, but this shouldn’t be a game of acceptance it should be a right of expression given to any race.
1. Revisionist – “A movement in revolutionary Marxian socialism
favoring an evolutionary rather than a revolutionary spirit”.
2. Unabashed – “Not ashamed, disconnected, or embarrassed”.
3. Downtrodden – “Oppressed or treated badly by people in power.”
4. “Tribulation – A cause of great trouble or suffering.”
5. Rapture – “A feeling of intense pleasure or joy”.
Source: All definitions came from https://www.merriam-webster.com/.
Ideas:
The idea that stuck out the most in the essay was the fact idea that “Black joy is met with skepticism, pushback, and resistance”. Throughout the essay, Hadia Roderique makes great points on how “Becky” and a lot of white people believe they don’t need to listen when Black people speak.
Another Idea from the essay that really grabbed my attention was the topic of media. Hadia mentions that most media focuses on Black pain rather than the positives. This idea really sticks out because I see it all the time. Wether it’s the news, social media, or just in general.