There is an saying:

We Live.

We Learn.

We Grow.

With that being said I’m learning that sometimes this even involves certain shows.

When I look back at old school t.v. interviewers like Arsenio Hall or Tavis Smiley.

I couldn’t help but notice their interview styles.

It was like they were familiar with the melanated culture in an

BALANCED WAY….

It’s like the vibe was just DIFFRENT.

It was more relaxed.

Almost like a conversation between two people and you the audience member just happened to be there.

I remember growing up watching Tavis Smiley when he was on late night B.E.T. and I would always laugh at the way he say “folk”.

The way Tavis Smiley say “folk” that man gotta be from Mississippi or somewhere around that area…

Lol.

But anywhoo..

That’s that familiarity factor that I am writing about.

That familiarity that is not forced.

It’s not on that Dennis The Menace type issh…

It just is.

Even with Oprah, I”ve always admired her interview skills.

The way she would take her shoes off in the middle of the show on some

Ms. Patti LaBelle “Feel Like Another One”, type issh..

It was like the audience was sitting in Oprah’s living room watching her having a keke session.

Especially when it was a sista on the show.

In the words of the rapper Cassidy “It Don’t Get No Betta”.

Lol.

Now, with that being said ONE OF MANY admirable things about melanated people is melanated people are not afraid to call out their own people now of course there are aspects that need to be balanced out.

However…

Context people..

Let’s try that…

Together 🙂

In my Major Payne voice :

I don’t want us as a society to have a failure to communicate.

I would love for us as a society to continue to develop a family environment one of trust and understanding.

I’d like FOR SOME OF YOU (within context)

To think of me not only as a writer but as your friend….

Lol..

Now back to the subject at hand.

Melanated people not being afraid to call out each other.

Yes, Oprah was “Never Scared” to ask certain types of questions when it pertained to certain aspects of “black” culture.

Even when it wasn’t popular.

On, a side note it was quite interesting how even when Oprah didn’t say popular things the treatment of Oprah and melanated women who said the “popular” things were still treated the same …

The disrespect was NOT sold separately.

It was actually included.

But, hey… (in my Jaheim voice)

That’s a conversation for another day.

How You Doing?

Even if I don’t know what your name is …

Melanated women are still fabulous…

Now regarding Oprah and women who get treated like her no matter what “field” they are in….

One thing you can say about Oprah and women like her is that they truly are equal opportunity.

Anybody can get their oratorical hands.

That is more than I can say for certain types of individuals who got all the “smoke” for “black” culture but not for they own culture..

Sometimes, it brings the Mystikal out of you.

Some of these “outlets” be on some “That’s The Rapper” isssh…

That’s just the edited version.

However, I must admit I specially appreciate those who step up and say…

Here I Go…

We ain’t doing that not on this show…

Some of these platforms that attempt to ask questions don’t need to jump.

But mooooooove…

They say if you can’t do it right don’t do it at all….

This can apply to seasoning food and many other aspects of life…

Especially for those who misconstrue on purpose.

They also got another saying:

“Everybody asking you questions ain’t entitled to answers.”

With, the pattern of how some of these platforms moving…

It seems like the form behind them don’t have good intent.

Just because someone offer you money doesn’t mean it is a good fit.

That’s why it’s good to always check the intent.

Now, I gotta be honest.

I also have a special type of appreciation for old school interviewers and talk show hosts.

Y’all remember back in the day fights would break out and the talk show hosts would STILL host?

Y’all remember when Geraldo Rivera nose got broken, and he STILL kept going?

I think at one point Geraldo was so cold he interviewed the napkin he used to keep his nose from bleeding.

Talk about dedication…

Richard Bey anyone?

See the thing about old school interviewers and talk show hosts is that they were in the thick of it.

Literally.

See, those was the days when they had the steel folding chairs so if you was getting yo ass beat you could use the chair for leverage.

Let me tell you something else that was amazing about Oprah.

She never got hit..

So that shows you how talented she was as well as her amazing peripheral vision!

I’ll even throw Jerry Springer in the mix and how he had this knack for starting shit and then disappear in the crowd like Homer Simpson does with bushes…

Sound familiar?

I think Jerry even came out with a movie…

Ringmaster…

I mean Jerry Springer literally used the crowd as a shield..

Literally…

Watch For The Hook…

So, with that being said I really think that with certain platforms there should be more of an observation of who is “guiding” the conversation.

Thank goodness for those who decide to look at certain platforms with a certain amount of hesitation.

Especially if the platform showcase a case in your face that they have no desire of relating unless it involves degrading.

Thank goodness for those who call out those who try to throw a hook.

Thank goodness for those who make you look.

Thank goodness for those who write rhymes in they playbook and ask the question:

Why so shook?

You didn’t mind as long as you took.

Now is the time for the true stories to be told.

Let it ALL UNFOLD.

Now.

DaSh’e

1313

AMHWJBO