como como como

Today I listened to CNN as I braided my hair, put in my contacts, changed outfits 3 times. During the newscast, some Republican senator from, Ohio I think, was quoted as saying that the “race card” was being used by the Obama campaign, and that there really are not issues with race in the States anymore. I laughed out loud. I cannot fathom that people still can ignore such an obvious and prominent part of the mindset of the country. If Katrina, if jail rates, if poverty rates, joblessness, welfare status, project housing, educational profiles, statistical analysis of class, education, wealth, doesn’t make it clear, my Lord, what would. I had a friend once tell me that she simply couldn’t believe the amount of racism present in the South (she, being a Yankee). I was shocked that she would make such a bold statement. Because a. she is from New England where the majority of her area is white (also quite well off) and just a few hours down the road is the Bronx of NY where even she reported her fear on the way into the city during the cold morning hours. And b. because, even she, a “northerner” held views, and mistakenly expressed them at points that could be read to have some racial biases. No one can deny the stereotypes they hold, though everyone does just that. Not wanting to be perceived as such I guess. I’m no hypocrite. I’ll leave it at that, but I do hope for the day that color, nor ethnicity, nor gender plays a role in society.  Memories fade, but I don’t know if they ever truly disappear.

Also, I decided whilst listening to said station, that infomercials are probably one of the most uniquely odd and intriguing pieces of our culture. How is it that the little piece of plastic (ironically similar to the little scraper I use for my baking stone, shaped like a square, with rounded edges) can cost $19.99 to be the PERFECT edger for caulking. So that when you bead that small stream of white sealant, you can run this PERFECTLY DESIGNED, state of the art, piece of plastic along the edges of your sink, or tub, to remove the excess for a PERFECT finish. Probably one of the most useless products I’ve ever seen. Also great is the motorized grout cleaner, also known as a battery operated toothbrush (I always save MY old toothbrushes for said dirty jobs, like cleaning grout). The keychain recorder that helps you remember everything you’ll ever need. The MAGIC BULLET. And finally, the organized purse (!) so that you’ll NEVER lose anything in that cluttered bag again. (News flash, it isn’t the lack of pockets that causes the disorganization of a woman’s bag, it’s the clutter of life, the rush that is the American way of life, the balancing of job, kids, home, husband, etc. So until all of that can be neatly organized in pockets perfectly designed for such things, purses will forever be in disarray.)

Can’t seem to focus on anything right now. My head spins like a wobbly dradle I used to play with even though I’ve never celebrated a Hanukkah in my life. It always seems to fall on the same indiscernible symbol, though. Of course, I don’t understand the meaning of such, afterall I definitely don’t speak (nor read) the language. Worse yet, I can feel myself focusing on it like a bad TV show that you just can’t switch.

I think the stupid media, is just that, stupid. They’re much more reactionary and prone to fluctuate on whim and I wish I could just ignore it all.

Is it a full moon or something?