I love that I am able to belong nowhere and belong everywhere. I love that where I live, there are people of every hue, every size, every accent, every sexual orientation, and every everything else. I love that we go to the same farmer's markets and the same dance clubs. I love that most of my community is not divided into artificial categories such as race, sexual orientation, etc. So many of us have lived it, know what oppression is, and continue to do the work and live life in a way so that we may enjoy our human-ness, our oneness. That's what I love about belonging and not belonging.

The cultural diversity found among black people.

Two Africans, living in the same country, the same city right across the street from one another will have major genetic differences, speak different languages, and culturally have different ways in which they look at the world.

That I don't fit any mode and yet I can flip the script to adapt to any environment. You want bougeis, I am that with my love for Whole Foods Market, Jazz poetry readings, etc. and I could tell you the characters on Flavor of Love. As one friend told me once about my TV viewing habits: "sometimes people wouldn't know you have a Masters degree with some ridiculous TV programs you watch."

I love my curly coarse hair. I love that I have redefined beauty for myself so much that I can walk around with Miss Celie's hairstyle and still feel good. I love the strength that is running through my African, Indian, European and whatever other kind of blood I have. I love the fact that I don't fit into a box. I love that I can relate to everyone and no one at the same time.

3 words: Black don't Crack.

I love our skin, our style, our creativity, our minds…i love our strength, our perseverence, our ability to adapt and change to whatever situation we face…i love our lips, our eyes, our hair, our bodies, our colors…everything we are is beautiful and i appreciate it all

The best part about being Black is being able to put a mean look on your face and have no one sit next to you on your commutes to and from work. Let's face it most people are already afraid of Black people, even me a young Black woman that barley tips the scale at a buck twenty-five, so why not take advantage. (lol)

LMAO @ Monie: Too true!

Everything. Our music, fashion, food, many dialects. I love that our skins holds up very well. I love that we're at the bottom of the barrel because it helps me remember that no one is better than anyone else. I love that a black woman can wear something completely ridiculous and people will say she's a diva. I love that when we're excited we get loud and start to dance. There's much to love.

I love that I don't smell like "wet dog" when caught in the rain!

As a black woman I love having soul without ever really trying. The Assimilated Negro once said on a blog post that black people don't have to try to be hipster because we naturally are and I love that. I love that as a black woman I can do a million things with my hair. I love the beautiful brown tone of my skin. I love that it seems like the natural inclination of black people is to dance or sing when they have really good food. Though I abhor some of our artists I love that our music is special to us. It speaks to all of us in one way or another for better of for worse. It's like our own special language that only we can understand. From the scratch of hip-hop to the riddim of reggae. And may I just throw out there that I love, love, love the way by black kings hang theirs suits and walk that walk. Black is beautiful.

You know, I thought when I first saw this topic that I might feel somewhat excluded, but I thought, what the hell. I read & post somewhat regularly, may as well share.

Loudmouth Protestant says: "I love that our music is special to us. It speaks to all of us in one way or another for better of for worse. It’s like our own special language that only we can understand. From the scratch of hip-hop to the riddim of reggae."

I am not black, I am likely a lighter shade of brown than you. My hips sway to reggae and hip-hop keeps me sane. Why would that music speak differently to you than it does to me?

I hoped against hope that I would read people's responses and not feel out of place. My friends come in all colors and I'm certainly not white, which previously made me feel more comfortable here than some other places online. Alas, I am not black, and I'm starting to feel like I really don't belong here.

Not to go all sob story on y'all, but damn. Just thought I'd share, from one POC to likely many others, that I feel pretty excluded here.

Guess I have to go start my own multi-culti "Various Shades of Brown" site/blog.

On a totally superfluous level, I love the fact that we [Black women] are absolutely the sexiest creatures ever. We come in so many colors and shapes and there is NO culture that moves quite like us. I love that.

I'm not going to extrapolate any of the things I love about being black to "our" experience. The things that some folks say they love about being black are things that in their extreme cases, I may try to not embrace.

What I love about being a black woman is that often times people have stereotypes about black women that I don't fit. So I surprise them and rise above their low expectations.

LOLROF @ Monie #7

Ahh, yeah, a lot of it is my own baggage, for sure, and I'm certainly not putting blame on you, Lauren, you did clearly open it up to everyone in your post.

I consider myself to be fairly level-headed most of the time (ie recognizing that I'm not going to agree/identify with everybody and how ridiculous that would be), but certain things, like race, culture, and identity really push some weird buttons for me.

Part of it is probably that I've tended to identify much more with "black" culture and often Latino culture (as well as super-diverse communities like the one I'm blessed to live in now) a lot more than my own ethnic roots. So I recognize that I'm super-sensitive to the possibility of being left out of a community to which I feel like I belong.

Definitely bringing my own headtrip along for the ride here on Stereohyped, but I guess that's the mark of a good discussion topic - you actually got us discussing stuff.

Mammoth maybe I shouldn't have said that only black people can understand hip-hop and reggae and other black music. Rather I should have said it is beautiful music created by black people and sometimes, yes, it is created for black people because it is based on the struggles that have been endemic to our race for so long. It wasn't to exclude anyone but to point out that after years of being oppressed music was one of the ways we learned to express ourselves. It's certainly what I have learned to love over the years.

I love my skin. No orange tan spray for me!!

http://www.talulazoeapple.com

I love love love my lips and my brown skin and am looking forward to toasting it to bronze perfection this summer.

I love having so many great role models, women who have faced absolute hell and persevere. Their resilience helps me keep things in perspective and their strength in the face of adversity. There's not a single day that you won't read about or see a black woman improving herself, her community and the world.

I love celebrating black beauty in its many forms, not just the forms that mainstream American media has deemed acceptable or desirable.

To add to what sophistAKAted said ("3 words: Black don’t Crack"), I love looking at my 50-something mom and knowing that if genetics is any indicator, I'm going to look pretty much the same in about 30 years as I do today but with even more striking cheekbones.

@Mammoth, the goal wasn't to make anyone feel excluded. I got the idea from Latina magazine. I am not a Latina (though some black people are) and I enjoy reading that magazine and I loved reading their article on all the great things about being a Latina. I really don't even have many Latina friends but I found myself identifying with a lot of what they included, as a WOC, a black American woman and an African women. For generations, many immigrants in this country worked to "assimilate," and in doing so, they made their cultures seem somehow undesirable. In this country, being a POC or otherwise "ethnic" is viewed as somehow inferior. I love that people are embracing their natural looks, bodies, cultures, etc. and that doesn't require losing your own identity in the process. I have such a great appreciation for other cultures and it's great to learn about them and celebrate them, whether Fulani, Yoruba, Igbo, Dinka, Somali, Sudanese, Kenyan, Nigerian, South African, Guyanese, Brazilian, Panamanian, Haitian, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Jamaican, Japanese, Thai, Indian, Persian, Greek or anything else.

My favorite thing about being an intelligent black man is flying in the face of expectations, hearing others talk about how there are few of us, and seeing those around me and knowing how that couldn't be more untrue.

"I love the fact that we [Black women] are absolutely the sexiest creatures ever. We come in so many colors and shapes and there is NO culture that moves quite like us."
I guess comments like that seem like reverse racism. Ethnic minorities would flip out if someone said white women "are the sexiest creatures ever."
Mammoth, I see where you are coming from. I don't think the blog or the comments are supposed to make other ethnicities feel unwelcome, though. People ask me why I (an Iranian) read a black-interest blog. (Because Lauren Williams is dynamo and for education.) My uncle was like "oh, you're going through one of those black phases," which irked me. "Black phases"?? He was referring to a stage where he only dated black females and the comment had implications that pissed me off. It's not the blog that makes me feel unwelcome, but the people around me that try and make it seem like I'm being unusual.

I appreciate that I'm an ethnic minority because it makes it hard to become racist towards other minorities. Yesterday, I was hanging out with some older friends and they got into a fight. Then one started yelling "Go back home you Indian! You fucking immigrant!" The person who said this was an Iranian immigrant. Although some people remain cruel, I like the way it forces you to be at least a little sympathetic toward other minorities.

Some great comments and insight in this thread.

My skin color is something I had no say in, but I do love that it ages so beautifully. Haha!

Btw, black women are not the sexiest creatures on earth. So sick of boneheaded ethnic pride statements like that. Beauty is as diverse and common as the stars in the universe.

the color and texture of my skin.

As an African American woman, I love Black folks' intelligence and creativity, that pundits like to dismiss as "natural." Like Loudmouth Protestant, I love the sway of our gaits, both men and women. I love our laughter, especially when we're laughing *with* the truth. I love that our struggles are seen as the bridges for other human-rights struggles (though quite a bit of them have been co-opted in some effed-up ways. I mean, the "Girls Gone Wild" founder comparing his jainky behind to Rosa Parks? Get real.)

I love that my lips are full & I don't need those lip plumping products to make them this way. I love the beautiful color of my skin & the way it turns an evenmore beautiful brown when kissed by the sun.
I love that my mother is in her 50s & my male friends want to hit on her.

I love that my differences allow me to truly "see" the world.

When you are not part of the governing group (I wont say majority since white people are barely 10% of the world population)you get to see how the world truly is; how it works, its lies and its truths. Its nuances, ugliness and beauty. You get to see who is trying to pass (for white, for straight, for gentile, for anglo, etc.).

I feel I am black and asian, therefore I am home anywhere. That's how I was raised and that's how I behave. The world is my oyster. It does get me in trouble, but I love trouble.

I never, ever, refer to myself or others I love as "minority". I am the world's majority; a brown-skinned, dark-haired woman.

I love throwing white people off when I talk because the vast majority will assume that I'm some hoodrat who can't speak 'proper' and articulate english and have high level ideas at the same time. It's annoying, but it's fun.

Why is it that when Black people state that they proud of being Black it always makes other groups of people uncomfortable?

But those same groups never seem to have a problem when Black people are the object of scorn and hatred, very interesting.

I love when people assume so much about me because of stereotypes and expectations of black females; basically trying to put me in a box and ultimately they are surprised when they can't, and that's regardless of the other person's ethnicity. I like that being in my mid-30's, people still assume that I am in my early to mid-20's due to genes and youthful appearance. Historically speaking, I love that we have been able to persevere in spite of the internal and external negative forces that try to keep us down.

As for negative reactions to celebrating ones heritage or oneself, I think it gets associated with feelings of superiority. If one feels pride then it's assumed that it is at the expense of somebody else's culture. It is seen as a threat, which shouldn't be the case. If there was more pride and love for oneself and culture, I think we would be treating each other with more respect and love.

I love being able to bellydance naturally without any training/dance classes. I love the way my body looks nothing like any thing I see in magazines but it is still uniquely beautiful. I love the way my Arabic features are so strong and elegant. I love how my features are so different that no one can guess my race. I also love being part of the legacy of the Palestinian people.

Also, speaking Arabic is the shizzzzz…..cuz you can woo any guy with it….LOL.

@GayArabMale, where can I take Arabic classes?

Although my name sometimes throws people off, I am an African-American woman. What I love about being black, is: 1) my brown skin, my full lips, 2) I love the great role models African-American's have (not just Dr. King and Oprah but Susan Taylor, Shonda Rhimes and Drs. Sampson Davis, Rameck Hunt and George Jenkins (The three newark natives who made a pact to become doctors). I love being a black woman.

Daria- when he tells you please pass on the info to me.

While on the topic…
I don't like is being fetishized. To almost all men, including BM, we're f-able. To some, we're dateable in the very casual sense during a phase as with ilnazhad's uncle. Many opt to miss out on a relationship. It's a problem I have with men, not a problem I have with being a BW. I should probably have prefaced this by stating that it's in some places.

I need to just move. The negatives outweigh the positives for me. I'm looking into living abroad for a year or so.

Thought I'd add more to this list:
1) I love that black people are so culturally diverse, you can have a Trinidadian or Dominican black person or someone from Canada or the UK, anything goes…
2) Although I did not attend an HBCU, I have visited plenty & love the black college experience, I love the history & pride of HBCU's & they are so unique not only to Education but to Black American culture.
3) Greek Life & the NPHC-as an alumna & participating member of the first & finest Sorority, I loved being a Greek in undergrad, it was sooo different & empowering than what I saw some of the white girls at my university go through-Lauren, please make a post on this sometime in the future!
4) Family Ties-when you gather an intelligent Black man with an intelligent Black woman, great things are bound to happen & we can already see that in Presidential candidate Barack Obama & the relationship he has w/ his wife & daughters. Black families, though not perfect (what family is?) regardless of race are a beautiful portrait amidst a shaky world.
5) Black Hair-I know it can be somewhat of a pressing issue in our community but I love the diversity of our hair. We are the original curly-headed people, no other race can twist, afro, loc, dread, or relax/perm like we can & not wash for several days up to a week, etc. Our hair is truly resilient, just like our spirits.

God Bless & again, awesome post Lauren!

"Why is it that when Black people state that they proud of being Black it always makes other groups of people uncomfortable?

But those same groups never seem to have a problem when Black people are the object of scorn and hatred, very interesting."

Monie, I hope you are not reffering to Mammoth and me. You should be proud to be black. And, trust me, if anyone displays racism towards black people, I give them hell. It's just that saying that a certain race is better than any other is offensive. Even if that race faces racism consistantly. It's not like if someone gives a race a negative rating, you have to give that race an excessively positive rating to even it out. You're not rating a movie on IMDB.

ilnazhad- Okay I was wondering too. I can understand where you are coming from when you say "better".

I personlly don't have a problem with people big uping their ethnic group either but I can tell you I feel uncomfortable when someone says this group is better than that group.

Daria- There are a lot of negatives no doubt but I think I would be black again if I had to do it all over again.

I wonder what race people would choose if they had to come back as another race.

Daria maybe you should move to another state or city for a better experience.

ilnazhad- What sparked your Uncle's black women phaze?

Our skin and features. I work with faces everyday and say a silent hallelujah when a black person sits in my chair. We have the most beautiful and wide ranging skin colors, tones and features.

I sit here and wonder how many times I've been on the set or a a shoot a whitegirl has been referred to as "fierce".

Never.

Take 2:
I sit here and wonder how many times I’ve been on the set or a photoshoot and a whitegirl has been referred to as “fierce”.

I am half black and half white. But I still like making white people uncomfortable/embarrassed.

sophistAKAted says:

1) I love that black people are so culturally diverse, you can have a Trinidadian or Dominican black person or someone from Canada or the UK, anything goes…

I Love being from the UK, I love our thousands upon, thousands years of history.
I love the fact I can hear f*ck in a Christmas special
I love our traditions
I love our free health care
and though no one wants to admit, I do love our royal family

Chic Noir- He would be angered if I ask him. But I know that when I was a toddler he used to be like Ilnaz is going to have a beautiful ass like a black woman. Uuuummm… oookie. I guess my mom thought that would be a cute story when she told it to me.
And he was a Muhammad Ali fan. My uncle was probably influenced by his rhetoric. He loves boxing and my uncle was a victim of plenty of racism because he is Iranian. He probably identified with blacks. He was probably also flattered by Muhammad Ali's Muslim beliefs. He made a lot of things hip that made things easier for my uncle.

The very typical sense of humour : teasing without being agressive, ironic but not bitter, never vulgar or graphic, down to earth with a warm laughter usually following… is what i love in "Black" people, more frequently found in men, less frequently in women.

I love the beauty of "black" people. I saw that magnificient girl in the subway today. She was looking just like Queen Tiyi with her delicate features, big eyes, full lip and her very dark smooth glowing skin.

On a personal plan, , asking myself this question, i realize that i first love to be alive, regardless of my "embodiment" form. Second, as an african-caribbean, i love : my skin colors, my lips, my voluminous nappy hair and the spiritual and intellectual journey that goes along with being "black" in this challenging time… wouldn't it be boring if it was otherwise ?

ilnazhad, thanks for breaking it down.

"I am the world’s majority; a brown-skinned, dark-haired woman."

This has been my favorite line of the thread. Mostly because my closest friends are various shades of WOC. Black, filipina, chinese, fillipina/latina…they are all over the place. But I believe we relate/gravitated towards each beacuse we embrace the line of above. Along with all the wonderful things people have said above, I would like to add that I love black ourstory/history. It's so colored and so terribly interesting how we were at the top of our game with the finest libraries, philosphers we shall never know(unless there is some existing documents someone is hiding..), stunning wardrobes, and jewelry to enslavement. And yet we still rose. AND are rising. Of all the different culutres in the world(I really know one;) we can go to any country where we reside and relate to one another like we're long lost cousins. No matter how far away from each other we are, we are all still connected through spirit. I know it sounds hella cheesy but I believe it.

Absolutely Everything!