CNN ran a pilot last night called “Black or White: Kids On Race” where they evaluated both white and black children on how they reacted to a color chart of cartoon kids:

They asked them questions like:

Who is the smarter child?
Who is the mean child?
Who is the ugly child?

Most of the children answered that the darker cartoon children were either mean, ugly and or dumb because of their skin color. CNN hired Professor Margaret Beale Spencer to analyze the results(she also designed he experiment). For the results watch the full episode tonight on CNN at 10pm.

*They tested 133 children from schools that met very specific economic and demographic requirements. In total, eight schools participated: four in the greater New York City area and four in Georgia.*

*Taken from CNN.com

With the media constantly reminding us of light skinned vs. dark skinned it isn’t surprising that children these days aren’t color blind.

What do you think?

GALLERY: Chocolate Girls Stand Up!

VIDEO: Does Hip Hop Like Light Skin Girls Too Much?

It seems that Hollywood is turning into Hollyswirl. Peep the hottest and most surprising interracial celebrity couples out there!

I’m gay and black. It’s hard for me as a black man to appreciate myself from years past and had wished that I were someone else. I grew up in a small town and most of my friends were Caucasian. I’ve often seen myself as one of them. I know it sounds very sad but it’s my reality. I would stretch myself to learn more about my culture and race while attending college. But often found that I was ridiculed because I just did not fit into the stereotype of what an African-American should be. For example, I never used improper in English such Ebonics. So when I would speak, it was with proper verbs and nouns etc. I would receive many reactions from my own people asking me “why do you talk so proper or why you talk like you are white?” My reaction would be one of hurt and withdrawal. Because of that, when it comes to dating or loving someone that I want to be with, it became a challenge for me. I’ve always dated men out side of my own race and often found myself not really happy. I’m not sure what type of kind of advice you have and also not sure what your beliefs are regarding homosexuality but I would hope that you could look past it if you are not in agreement and give some solid advice.
Thank you

MMB

The Blackman:

Hi MMB,

This issue actually has nothing to do with your sexual orientation; it has to do with race. You have actually gone through what quite a few people of color go through when being raised in a predominantly white area or being educated in school that consists of mostly white people and very few blacks for a greater portion of your childhood.

In many cases when they get to college they have been around the most black people that they have ever encountered in their life. Then you are trying to figure out what it is to be black. Some people go to the extreme and become extremely militant and others may try to transform to become “ghetto” or “hood.” There is also a group of people that are trying to figure an alternative route then the previous two where they can fit in. That sounds like the category where you fit in.

Usually during your college years and through their twenties people are still defining who they are. It seems to me that since you don’t speak Ebonics and have been criticized for it, it has hurt your self-esteem and you question your “blackness.” You are not comfortable in your own skin.
I’d like for you to answer this question. “What does it take for some one to be black?” The last time I looked it was determined by the color of your skin. It has nothing to do with how you speak, dress, or the neighborhood you live in. There are plenty of black people that do not speak in Ebonics. A lot of blacks are actually raised in households where the parents don’t allow their kids to speak like that or even use the “N” word.

You have be comfortable with who you are as an individual in which it seems like you are not in that place yet. Because you are not happy within, you are putting yourself in situations that are not creating happiness for you. If you want to be with black men then you have to be in an environment that will allow you to interact with other black gay men. Basically, you are holding yourself back.

If you focus on moving past these obstacles you will find yourself in a better place in life. You cannot change where you lived or how you were raised. If you learn to truly accept the person that you are, you will be a happier individual.

Good Luck.

TBM

I love director Gabriel Hart’s work, particularly when he does hip-hop videos because he always manages to dig deep and come up with the most thought provoking images. His new video for Curtains “Black Folks” is no different. The video premiered yesterday on MTV, but I haven’t heard much talk about it.

I know some people believe that with Obama in the White House race has become less of an issue, but is there ever a time to stop questioning the status quo. Curtains touches on some very real issues, but is anybody listening? Watch the video below:

“Black Folks” will be rotating during two different MTV shows: MTV JAMS & THE FRESHMEN. Curtains second mixtape “The Great Adventures of Dope Boy C: DoPE for President” will drop the week of June 16th.

Hova is out claiming that rappers like himself and Snoop Dogg have helped to teach young white kids not to be racist. I’ll let that stew around in your mind and you can decide for youself if you buy into that. But in other news Jay-Z was spotted with a multi-cultural entourage at Robin Thicke’s birthday party at the Waverly Inn:

Click here for yesterday’s celebrity photos!

Do Jay-Z and Beyonce sleep in separate beds? Find out here!