Tribute to the Redbone

I know some of you are wondering where I am going with this blog. Well hang in there with me for a moment and you will see. For those of you unfamiliar with the term "redbone", it is a term which is less than complimentary used to describe beautiful black people of lighter complexion. I am not sure of the origins but I can bet that it probably has origins from slavery. And I will also bet that most derogatory terms we use come from the plantation. Unless you live under a rock, I know you have heard about the Don Imus incident. No, I am not here to re-hash it all but I wouldn't be my opinionated self, if I didn't mention it before I make my point.

First of all, while I don't agree with the derogatory messages in Hip Hop, I do not think Hip Hop music had anything to do with Don Imus's comments. He said what was in his heart and directed to a specific group of women. Also, I wasn't necessarily taken back by the "nappyhead" comment cause well, truth be told alot of us have nappy heads. And that is nothing to be ashamed of. It is what it is. In fact with the emergence of dreads and natural hair styles, African Americans have come to love their hair. But to call those females, "hoes" was way out of line. Nevertheless, we as black folks are up in arms and want Don's head on a platter. He crossed a line and but had he been a black man, would he have been okay with saying this? Not to me. Rude and disrespectful is rude and disrespectful, no matter what color.

So is there a double standard? Some say no, but I say oh heck yeah. In fact, I have been a victim of this double standard most of my life that I have memory. For those of you who may not realize this, but in the African American community, I was born a "redbone". Although, I am sure the doctor told my mother she had a healthy nine pound baby girl of which I am sure she was and still is truly proud. And, get this, she named me Sherry, not "Redbone", after the song "Sherry Baby", that 1960's song. In the African American community, we love giving each other nicknames. I think most of the time, they are usually terms of endearment, however, even as a child as well as an adult, I never found any love when folks (often family members) referred to me as a "redbone" or "high yellow". I mean, we all know where this color stigma began...back on the plantation where the light skinned slaves worked in the house and the darker skinned slaves worked outside which obviously caused some division among the people. And while most of us in 2007 have never been a slave or worked on a plantation, we still treat each other like we are working for "Massa". The irony is that we want the Caucasian community to realize we are not still on the plantation but we continue to behave like we are still living there.

Is the a double standard? Yes. Because should I ever make reference to any African American who is darker than myself in some way that is less than complimentary, I am sure I would be labeled as "thinking I was better than", or "thinking I am white" or some other label. But yet and still, as a black person with the lighter hue, is it okay in 2007 to refer to me as a "redbone"? I don't think so and I am speaking out on behalf of all the light skinned beautiful black people. Racism from other races is not cool and Racism from your own is even less cool.

Now I know what yall are thinking, "Sherry, you ain't never made reference to another black person's color in a derogatory way." Honestly, no I don't recall and if I have God forgive me. I have used color to describe someone but I never thought to make fun of something a person has no control over. Why? Well, it would be silly for me to make fun of light skinned people since I am one. Plus why disrespect my mother who is a beautiful light skinned woman. And why would I make fun of someone who is dark when my father is a beautiful dark skinned man. And why would I, when my family is a beautiful collage of African Americans who have different skin tones. And why would I when I have friends who range from beautifully dark to spectacularly light. No, my friend, color makes no difference to me.

Don't get me wrong, I am not taking anything from those of you with dark skin who have suffered the same racism from your own people. But I can only speak to the situation I know. However, what I am really saying is that it is ALL wrong no matter what color you are and how you have been treated. And we all know, two wrongs, don't make a right.

So if my skin color bothers you, you must take that up with the One responsible for it. You see in the womb, God said he knew me. He made me in his image and according to Psalm 139:13 -14:

13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

I am in no position to dispute the Almighty about his choice to use the light brown crayon on my body. So in that respect, I will proudly accept His choice. And I am so glad His concern is for my soul and not based on my skin color. In order to rid our community of this plague that has followed us off the plantation, be proud of who you are and learn to respect others for who they are.

Peace and blessings to everyone, especially my blog readers (black, white, brown, purple, green...) but most of all, this blog goes out to the "REDBONES!"

Why the name "Easterbaby"???

Blog Readers, where has the time gone? I haven't blogged since the first of the year. But I have a valid reason for neglecting you, I promise. School has been keeping me very busy and while I have had soooooooooo many things on my mind, I just have not had the time to write it down. I even started a blog but I deleted it because, well, that moment passed and I have somethng different on my mind. Like what? You ask...Well, based on my pen name, "Easterbaby", you can just imagine what is on my mind. My birthday? Nope. Guess again. Shocked ya didn't I? Okay, yes my birthday is Wedneday, April 11 BUT that is not the reason for my blog. C'mon...EASTER-baby...That's right, today is Easter Sunday or as some like to call it, RESURRECTION DAY!

As I am sure some of you have contemplated on long drives home or as you go throughout your day, why does she call herself the Easterbaby? Most would probably say, DUH, cause she was born on a Easter Sunday. While this is true, I only consider a small part of the real blessing of being able to say I was born on the day in which we recognize the resurrection of Jesus Christ, Son of the living God. For some who don't know why we celebrate Easter let me 'splain...or better yet let the bible 'splain...

John 3:16:
16"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Matthew 28:1 - 9
1After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
2There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
5The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you."
8So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."

Now I know some of you are thinking, but they said they found Jesus's bones and his wife and his son...Yeah, that is what they said. That is "man's" report. Funny how man is trying so hard to prove this and prove that about Jesus, about God. Don't be surprised by this because as Jesus walked the earth he had a hard time proving he was who he said he was to the people who walked, talked, ate with him. You know, his homies. Even Thomas said, I won't believe he has risen unless I see the nails marks. But what did Jesus tell Thomas (emphasis mine in bold):

John 20:26 - 29
26A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" 27Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."
28Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!"
29Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

Well, I have not had the priviledge of putting my hands in the side of the risen Savior but there ain't no stopping my belief. But those men on tv said...I hear ya but let me tell you what those men on tv don't know.

They don't know about the pinched nerve I had which caused me so much pain, the docs told me I needed an operation I couldn't afford. However, one day I prayed in the name of Jesus about this situation and I haven't experienced this pain since...can we all say "no operation!" What they don't know is that the X-rays and MRIs showed I had torn ligaments in my knee so I went under the knife but the night before my pastor prayed for me in the name of Jesus...and when they went into my knee, the ligaments were in place.

What they don't know is that while unemployed my car broke down and I was able to buy a brand new car. All because I called on the name of Jesus. What they don't know is that when I was feeling persecuted and ready to fight my own battles, I called on Jesus and he said be still, I got this. And he fixed my situation so I was able to put my enemies under my feet. What they don't know that when times got tough for me financially, it was by the name of Jesus that I still have somewhere to sleep, food to eat, clothes to wear, and bills paid. You see what they don't know is when I was depressed for months, I called on Jesus to change the situation I was dealing with and he said Hold on, I got this. And he moved like he said he would.

What they don't know is back in February while I was taking my preliminary exam, I was physically sick, mentally tired, and emotionally miserable and ready to give up. That was a Monday morning. I called on some of my praying friends who know what it means to call on Jesus and they prayed me through. I had a renewed energy by Monday afternoon. What they don't know is I have seen prayers answered on a daily basis, not just for me, but for others who know there is power in the name in Jesus, not the bones of Jesus, but the name of Jesus. He is alive and interceding for me to my Father. I don't know about you but I choose to be on the side of the ONE who has the power, not men, who have no power, who will die, and who will have to stand before the same Jesus and PRAISE HIM!

Revelations 5:12 - 13
12In a loud voice they sang: "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!"
13Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, forever and ever!"

So why the name "Easterbaby" because I am recognizing the resurrection everyday of my life. And when you think about me and this name, this is what I want you to remember not just that Sherry was born on Easter.

(However, I will not pass on any gifts or birthday wishes that you decide to bestow upon me on the date of my birth! ;)

Happy Resurrection Day!