Ex- Factor

I forgot all about this video until seeing it again last weekend on Vh1 Soul's "soul story" on Saturday morning. What a beautiful video! Miss Lauryn's skin is gorgeous!

Dear Sad, Self-Hating Black Man

Historically you have been the epitome of what America loathed. Big, Black and Strong, you have also been what America feared. You were stomped into the ground, beaten, battered and broken. Accused of crimes that you didn't commit. The first one that the finger was pointed at when wrong was done. We were there for you. You were our Kings and we stood beside you through thick and thin. Cherished your strength and damn it, just loved your presence. You were a reflection of us so therefore we loved you. Loved your skin, your hair, your features. But lately, that same love has been shunned from us. We are no longer good enough...our hair too damn nappy, our skin too damn dark. You gained a little bit of money, education and possessions and suddenly we are not good enough to parade around on the red carpet, meet those closest to you or marry. We are good enough to bear your children but not good enough to take an eternal oath of commitment. Your "preference" is for those who hold physical characteristics of which you do not possess and sadly probably always longed for. A "preference" for those who never looked your way while you were being swallowed up in the pits of the ghetto or the "token Black guy" in your prep school. Parading your "preference" around while also insulting those who look like you does nothing but highlight your insecurities and low self esteem. You are no prize to anyone. Your obvious lack of cultural awareness and pride cannot enrich my life in the least. You will do nothing but reinforce negative stereotypes and teach miseducation to our children. You will do nothing but teach them how to hate everything about themselves; their skin, nose and hair just as you do, thereby continuing the cycle. You will not enhance my life in any way with your general lack of knowledge of self. Therefore, I will swallow any bitterness I feel when I hear, read or see that you do not want me.