Discussions
Top Ten Black Blogs (Aug 2008)
Posted by Villager • 8/01/08 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic
Tags: african americans, afrospear, afrosphere, bdpa, betf, black, black americans, top ten black blogs
The Electronic Village publishes the Top Ten Black Blogs on the first day of each month. Take a look and share some love with these hardworking brothers and sisters!
Today, we share the August 2008 update -- tinyurl.com/58mpuw
Our hope is that you will use this list to visit some talented bloggers that you might not otherwise know about...
peace, Villager
twitter.com/Villager
User Comments
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Thanks for the reminder. -
Is this meant for the black people?-
@Weblogian - No, the rankings are meant for anyone to review. It is designed to highlight talented blogs and bloggers that are not otherwise covered in mainstream media or with any of the A-List blog rankings that come out periodically.
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Not covered in mainstream. In other words not good enough? -
@CSIunatic - Actually, I think that the blogs you'll see highlighted are quite good. A number of them are credentialed to report on the upcoming DemConvention in Denver later this year. However, I respect that you may have a different opinion. That is the beauty of America...
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So what is the reason they don't get mentioned in the mainstream lists then?
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@CSIunatic - Q: What is the reason that they don't get mentioned in the mainstream press?'
A: Methinks it has a great deal to do with the concept of 'white privilege' that assumes any creation by people of African descent is not worthy of mention. I no longer argue with white folks who feel that way. I simply create my own networks; my own list. That was my response to seeing talented Black bloggers being ignored.
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yeah answer please? -
What does the number in brackets after the blog name signify?-
I don't know
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@GingerBeer25 - The first number is the Technorati authority. The second number reflects the number of blogs between the one show and the #1 blog in the world (Huffington Post). The explanation is shown farther down in the blog post...
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Never mind figured out it is the technocrati rating
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I don't visit blogs based on the skin color of the blogger. And I really don't care to participate in a skin color coded best blogs system, which IMO may even contribute to the racism that I would like to see disappear, so 'no thank you'.-
Thank you very much TT. Couldn't agree more.
Racial Segregation is never good. Regardless where it comes from and what the underlying reasoning is, its still segregation. -
@TimeThief - I respect your decision. I wish you well in your blogging endeavors. I'm uncertain how a simple ranking of blogs equates to 'racism' in your mind ... but, again, I respect your decision not to visit the post and learn more about some talented bloggers!
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It's racist in the sense that it's exclusive to only one skin color. What about "Best Native American Blogs (Aug 2008)"? Suddenly it becomes clearer, right?
It's the same gripe a lot of people have with the United Negro College Fund. If we're all supposedly equal, why do they have "Blacks only" programs? Especially: Why do they have "Blacks only" financial programs? -
@VooDooKobra - Please point me to the Best Native American blogs. I would be interested in reading some of them. If such a ranking doesn't exist ... perhaps it should. I haven't heard folks griping about UNCF. I guess that is the difference about the communities that we live in. I guess there would be no need for UNCF if access to Harvard and Yale were equal. However, legacy scholarships fill up the ranks at Harvard and Yale ... making it difficult for African Americans to attend. If 'legacy scholarships' are OK ... the UNCF scholarships shouldn't cause anyone a problem. What is the difference between them?
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The fact that they're offered exclusively to African Americans, and nobody else... THAT'S what's wrong with them.
If I were to start the United Caucasian College Fund, I guarantee people would complain.
There are more minorities in the world than black people, and what about the so-called "majority?" Just because I'm a white male doesn't mean I have more opportunities than a black female. Other white males might have more opportunities than other black females, but opportunity is a strictly individual concept.
We can never have true equality if we keep giving so-called "minorities" special treatment; nor can we have true equality if we treat so-called "minorities" as second-class citizens (i.e. gays). -
@VoodooCobra - There are actually quite a few United Caucasion College Funds. They go by other names ... but, if you look at who gets the scholarships they might as well have your suggested name. As I noted, there are a number of colleges that reserve slots for "legacy" students. These are children or grandchildren of alumni. The alumni are vast-majority white ... so what opportunity to students of African descent have in these cases?
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"Legacy" opportunities are just as stupid, but two stupids don't make a smart.
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I respectfully disagree with you timethief. The reason the list exists is the same reason stations like BET exist. POC are minorities which means that are our issues are not covered and we are treated as though we are invisible. This issue extends to the blogosphere and you can see it just from what is and isn't written about. This helps to build a community and is a positive step. While I don't exclusively visit black blogs I understand and agree with the reason for promoting them.
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But the web offers anonymity, for all you know, I could be black. Why not just promote good blogs or ones that may not be promoted sufficiently? How about a list for the underdog blogs?
I'm guessing because the word "Black" gets more attention. -
I agree with ekim.
The web offers anonymity but I guess "black" is an attention getter.
I still say thanks but no thanks. -
@GingerBeer - My experience is that there is no point in trying to talk folks into having open minds on this topic. I wonder why they respond to the discussion in the first place...
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ekim say much clearly, i agree ! -
@ekim - Well, yeah... that is the point of the list to draw attention to talented Black blogs and bloggers! You are on point with your comment...
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How does one know the color of the blogger? I never ask, nor care to ask, nor will ask.
Maybe you are referring to a black blogger template?-
@GlobalGirl - Many, if not most, of the Blogs on the list self-identify themselves as being owned/operated by a person of African descent. The number of Black blogs that we are tracking is still tiny at this point. In case you were not being sarcastic ... the list is not based on having a Black blog template. It is based on the blog being owned & operated by a person of African descent...
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Villager, do you read blogs by Asians? By Russians? By Mayans? By fill-in-the-blanks? Why should race even be a dividing issue when it comes to what blogs one reads?
I think this type of race classification is unnecessary and, in fact, racist. -
@GlobalGirl - I'm fairly certain that there are no blogs owned and operated by Asian, Russians or Mayans. Are there any in particular that you would like to recommend to me?
On the other hand, I have a number of Black blogs that I could recommend to you based on the BBR that is published each month... -
Villager said: I'm fairly certain that there are no blogs owned and operated by Asian, Russians or Mayans. Are there any in particular that you would like to recommend to me?
Really? Well, for starters, let's just find some Asian BC bloggers:
www.blogcatalog.com/discuss/entry/asian-bloggers-just-wonder-how-many-there...
I think you must take some pleasure in segregation. Your choice.
Cheers! -
@GlobalGirl - I mistyped. I meant to say that I'm fairly certain that I don't know or read any Asian, Russian or Mayan blogs. Obviously, there are thousands, if not millions of blogs written by Asians, Russians and Mayans. I simply don't have any (to my knowledge) in my regular blog-reading rotation.
I will visit the discussion you started to see if there is anything interesting. You didn't answer my question. Do you personally have a recommendation in those three genres for me? -
Do you personally have a recommendation in those three genres for me?
No, because I have never, ever thought of blogs according to the author's race! Content is the ruling crown when it comes to reading a blog. Period.
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Black blogs are just not promoted in the same way the white blogs are neither are the stories that we post about. I spend a great deal of time on feminist blogs and I can tell you that they don't spend a great deal of time on race issues nor do they do a lot of linking to black blogs. There is a reason that there are not many people of color listed as top bloggers who admit their color...
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But why is the color of the person so important? Do other external features of the blogger matter as well, like hair color? Eye color? It seems like this type of needed segregation promotes division more than unifying racial groups.
I am interested in content over the ethnicity or color of a blogger. The latter play no contributing factors to whether or not I'll read their blog. -
@GlobalGirl - The existence of a Black Blog Rankings should have no impact on your lifestyle if you are not interested in reading blogs written by people of African descent. On the other hand, as a Black blogger I found it a lonely existence for the first 8 months that I was in the blogosphere. The BBR was created in part because I was tired of always being pointed to blogs written by people that didn't appear to understand or appreciate by culture perspective. I have been blessed to find such talented bloggers via this ranking proces. Google "Blogging While Brown" and you'll see one of the remarkable outgrowths of this raised consciousness from Black blogs and bloggers...
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No one is stopping you from promoting it. The internet is open, and last i looked, Digg/Stumble didn't discriminate based on the color of the blogger.
To me its pretty obvious. Anyone participating in this list. Automatically loses credibility when they discuss anything that relates to racial inequality.
If you are protesting racial inequalities, and then turing about and creating / participating or Promoting in something that is blatantly racially segregated in itself. You have little left to stand on.
UNless of course this is one of those "It's fair if i do it, but unfair if you do it" cases... Oh wait, that's hypocracy too.
The problem of having a forum where you only allow one side to talk, is that you inevitably become narrow minded and forget to see what the whole picture looks like.
There is normally only one reason for keeping the other side out, and that is because your own argument won't stand up in the face of the opposition.
When you don't allow blacks to play on your golf-course, there won't be any blacks around to show you why this is wrong. Eventually it just seems perfectly normal..
Good job Villager, you just set the clock back 30 years. -
@CSIunatic - I'm uncertain why you think that our blogs and discussions aren't open to anyone? I find that some of my most challenging and enjoyable blog commentators are from different backgrounds (including race) than me. All blogs ... to my knowledge ... are open to anyone. You seem to think that because we promote and highlight talented Black blogs that we are not open to others. That is simply not the case...
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So these are not just blogs written by black bloggers?
If it is, then your forum - the list itself - is propagating exactly what i said. If you indeed promote any blogger equally, then why call it the top ten black blogs? Are you referring to the color scheme of the template??
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The point is that it shouldn't matter but it does. We do not live in a post racial society despite the lies of the media. If we can agree that racism is a systemic part of western life, why is it so hard to embrace the idea that it would extend to the internet?
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Ginger, the need for some to ethnically categorize blogs promotes racism and division. Who reads a blog thinking "I wonder if this blogger is white/black/you name it?"! Not this one.
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So because you view the society you live in as being racist, you are going to rectify the problem by extending racism to the Internet?
If we can agree that racism is wrong, then we shouldn't practice it ourselves. The same goes for sexism. -
@flamingpoodle - There is nothing racist about the list. I respect you feel that way. However, the list is designed to be a positive, proactive promotion for talented Black blogs and bloggers that are otherwise ignored. Have you visited any of the blogs on the list? or are you simply reacting to the title of this discussion thread? If you have visited any of the blogs in question ... methinks you would agree with the time, talent and energy placed into the process by these bloggers...
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I put my nominations in this afternoon.-
@Cooper - Asante sana! I still need to head over and make my nominations as well!
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@cooper
I made my nominations for the 2008 Black Weblog Awards today! It was hard with so many categories ... but, I did my best!
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Wow the unacknowledged privilege in this thread is truly disheartening...
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Wow the unacknowledged racial discrimination on this thread is also disheartening.
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@GingerBeer - Don't let it bother you. There are many ~lurkers~ that see the information ... check out the BBR ... and open their minds to experiencing some truly talented brothers and sisters. As for the coal that we need to endure in these comments ... well, it is worth it for the diamonds like you or Cooper!
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Ok, kristilinauer,
You should know, logic is not well tolerated here.. lol ;-) -
@Kristi - I wonder what I was doing in Apr, May & Jun (smile)! Anyhow, it is nice to see you/your avatar again this month!
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I am still confused what is meant by black blog...-
@roentarre - Black blogs in this monthly ranking refers to blogs owned and operated by people of African descent. In vast majority of cases the blogger self-identifies as "Black"...
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Yeah and the same people cannot own their privilege.
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reading this concept of black blogs and ur lists -
If it was a list of blogs around a common subject like "Top 10 blogs about the Afro-American society" - that was fine. I also see no problem with a country/city restriction like "Top 10 American blogs", and "Top 10 Boston blogs". But when the skin color is the only parameter for qualification... "Top 10 Black Blogs" is the same as "Top 10 White Blogs" - and that sounds really bad. I have a dream that one day we'll live in a world where we will not be judged by the color of our skin but by the content of our blogs.-
Precisely. A blog should be regarded based on the quality of the blog. Nothing else.
Having a 'top 10 black blogs' is like saying black blogs aren't good enough to end up in the overall top 10, so we will just list them in their own category. That's not what I believe.
I can't honestly believe that technorati ratings take your skin colour into account before listing your blog. -
@Urikalish - I think you would agree that we don't currently live in a world where skin color is accepted by all. I imagine at the point we hit that nirvana than my monthly list won't be necessary. For now, I still see Netroots Nation and BlogHer without adequate representation from Black Bloggers. I still see the DemConvention giving credentials to 55 blogs in their State Corps (50 states, DC and some territories). 53 of them are owned and operated by white males. It is for these reasons that I chose to honor the Top black bloggers on the 1st day of each month...
@Flamingpoodle -- Technorati doesn't take into account ethnic or cultural backgrounds. That is something that I do ... which is why my list of Top Ten Black Blogs is usually quite popular each month... -
Well, if you want to racially segregate yourself, go ahead.
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@FlamingPoodle - Do you think that I needed your permission to post the Top Ten Black Blogs each month?
Just so you know ... I plan to continue to evolve the list each month. Your permission was not sought nor is it needed.
Fairly arrogant on your part to think that we need your permission to post what we want on our blogs... -
Of course you don't need my permission. Just like I don't need your permission to criticise the grounds on which you make your list. You post your list on a public discussion board and in effect you are thereby giving permission for the public to criticise it as we see fit. That's a non-issue.
This is a public discussion. If you want to keep the list and the discussion of the list 'blacks only', then just say the word. But then why stop there? Why post the list on a public discussion board? Why not start a 'black bloggers only' group and post your monthly list there? -
@flamingpoodle - You wrote, "Well, if you want to racially segregate yourself, go ahead."
That statement appears to be an arrogant and uppity way of you giving me permission to do what I've already done ... post a list of remarkably talented bloggers of African descent.
As noted, earlier ... your permission wasn't sought and is not needed. -
@Villager: since you have admitted that you are racially segregating yourself, I have no further qualms about the issue with you. Thank you for your honesty.
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@villager....you keep at it. Threads like this only prove why this list is needed!
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Threads like these prove that you are the only people who find race relevant to the rating of a blog. Technorati doesn't. Most black people don't even..
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Thanks for the post-up on this. I think it's a nice piece of information that I'll take advantage of.-
@nomad - Asante sana! I hope you find some new blogs that are of interest to you ... blogs you may not have otherwise known about...
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flamingpoodle you cannot speak on behalf of all black people, furthermore if we were not interested in uplifting each other there would not be so many organizations dedicated to just that...
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I'm not speaking on behalf of anyone. I'm calling it the way I see it.
if we were not interested in uplifting each other there would not be so many organizations dedicated to just that...
That's like saying because lots of people believed the earth was flat, it had to have some merit. There were lots of organisations who took it for granted that the earth was flat, but they were still wrong. -
Actually the Flat Earth Society still exists www.alaska.net/~clund/e_djublonskopf/Flatearthsociety.htm They claim they have been "Deprogramming the masses since 1547".
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Doesn't surprise me one bit.
"Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." Albert Einstein -
@timethief,
This Flat Earth Society is pretty cool!
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That's like saying because lots of people believed the earth was flat, it had to have some merit. There were lots of organisations who took it for granted that the earth was flat, but they were still wrong.
In a word DENIAL-
You said it. This whole mentality that the world is oppressing you because of your gender/race/skin colour/culture/belonging to a minority group is crap in my view. Adults do what they need to do to get themselves somewhere. They don't blame external circumstances for their own shortcomings.
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flamingpoodle are you actually claiming that racism does not exist?
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"Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." Albert Einstein
Lol!! I love This quote! I'm not sure about the former either. Think I'll put it on my site as a post.
I thought this meant Black Themed site at first-I think I have a very striking Black Themed site.
Racism Does Exist-No It Doesn't-Yes It Does Too-No It Does Not -It Does-Does Not.............................................etc
Famous Quote-Can't We Just Get Along
Bolggers Unite!!
thecomedynet.com
Go get a laugh!!! Bet You Will-Bet I Won't-Bet You Will-Ok I will!!!!!!
Thumbs Up!! -
@ gingerbeer
Of course Racism exists.
Are you claiming that promoting one race by excluding others isn't racism?-
Of course Racism exists.
Are you claiming that promoting one race by excluding others isn't racism?
@gingerbeer25:
Yes, what he said. Of course racism exists. Look at the topic: top 10 black blogs. Note that there are no criteria for being included or excluded from this list other than:
- being black, as in your skin colour.
- having a Technorati rating that is compared not with other technorati ratings, but with other bloggers who happen to have a black skin colour
So I know that racism exists. I am seeing it in practice right here. I am saying that publicly segregating yourself on grounds of your skin colour and excluding others from your imagined community purely because of their skin colour is not going to make racism go away. In fact, it reinforces racism and it ensures that racism is going to be something we have to deal with for many years to come.
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right the reverse racism spiel now...just another unacknowledged privilege tactic. That white blogger make up the majority of the blogoshere is apparently unimportant right? That they dominate in every way should not be discussed because the POC are working together...God forbid. This is simply away to mitigate the unearned racial privilege that each white person exists with but of course any threat to white supremacy must be flagged. People claim to want an equal society yet daily work against that aim.
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When you treat one race as if they are superior to another, it's racist. Racism is the antithesis to racial equality, and racial inequality prevents a society from having true equality.
Your efforts to push for special treatment are undermining equality.
www.kobrascorner.com/opine/equality.php -
So when a black person calls racism, Its racism, and when whites call BS for BS, its hiding a privilege. LOL... Alrighty then. I guess that means that Blacks can do no wrong.
Wow... if your argument didn't lack all merit... or at least was presented as sarcasm, it would be funny. Now its just sad. -
@VoodooKorner - Interest post on equality. thank you for sharing the link...
@CSIunatic - Black folks do wrong much too often. That is a topic that is discussed by many Black bloggers. Improving race relations means that we talk with one another and not fall back to sarcasm and dismissive comments such as yours... -
Dismissive comments.. You mean like saying that a white person raising the issue of reverse racism being nothing more than smokescreens and denial of white privilege?
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What the hell is "reverse racism?" Racism is racism. White people aren't the only people who can be racist.
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@CSIunatc - Actually, the dismissive comments that came to mind were, "Not covered in mainstream. In other words not good enough?" That was your original comment a few days ago. You've gone downhill since then in my view. You peeped your hole-card when you said that you hadn't viewed the underlying blog post itself. Anyhow, I wish you well...
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Because I simply refuse to spend one more minute discussing this issue with those who are blind to social injustice and unearned privilege, I am officially done with this thread. I will say to those of you who claim not to get it, perhaps if you spent a little more time reflecting on things that privileges of whiteness in society you would understand why lists like this are necessary...try Peggy McIntosh unpacking the invisible knapsack Enjoy your white supremacist thread.
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comment removed by the community.
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nice vooddo. -
Denial?
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@VoodooKobra - "racist asshole"? Is that the level that your mind sinks to when you are challenged on issues related to race relations? Sad...
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Didn't see voodoo's out-of-line comment before. In all fairness, calling this a "white supremacist thread" is also problematic and a not very thinly veiled personal attack against many. Seems to me everyone is being far too fast and loose with accusations of racism. Impossible to communicate that way. -
It's not about "sinking to a level;" profanity is part of my everyday language. If I wanted to be offensive, I would've used the word "cocksucker."
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I think the point of black blogs or whatever is like any other group of blogs. What's the big deal? I don't get why people are freaking out over it. And the rudeness ... seriously people.
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The big deal is that the author is refusing to acknowledge our criticism as legitimate. If they said, "You have a valid point, but I disagree based on these facts and logic," I would move on.
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maybe they don't think you have a valid point. I don't think y'all have a valid point. I know that may shock you to think that your point may not be valid voodoo...but sometimes it's not...you know ... in other people's opinions.
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I have considered that possibility, Drowsey. If my point is invalid, then it would not be difficult to point out the flaws. So far, the only criticism I've received is, "Affirmative Action means well," and, "It may be necessary."
For the first point, the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Good intention and bad ideas are a nasty combination. Example: Stalin had good intentions (to himself, anyway), but the results were disastrous.
For the second, it's only necessary for as long as we allow the social climate and societal segregation to thrive. Willfully segregating one group, or willfully treating one group (be they black or white) as superior is counterproductive.
There are no "black communities" or "white communities" in my eyes; nor are there "Christian communities" or "Muslim communities." There is THE community, and all the people that make it up. We're all human. -
{sigh}
Not everyone argues from some non-feeling analytical, logical stand-point.
Why can't you just agree that you don't agree? Why not LISTEN to what others are saying and accept the fact, that what seems perfectly logical in your mind ... is a lot more complicated in the real world...you know, where people live and interact and have life experiences.
And it's lovely that you don't see separate communities in the world. Lovely. Very Disney Land of you. Real life ain't like that dude. -
[Not everyone argues from some non-feeling analytical, logical stand-point.]
They don't have to do that if their point is strong enough. However, the case for special treatment of any group (minority or majority) isn't very strong.
[And it's lovely that you don't see separate communities in the world. Lovely. Very Disney Land of you. Real life ain't like that dude.]
And that is the root of the problem. People change over time, and in my opinion [young, mostly] people have changed to the point to where these outdated policies that were once justified by social climates are outdated and obsolete. -
You, as usual, are missing my point.
Why not just listen, and learn ... and accept the fact that you don't agree but you can see where the other person is coming from.
And ... having a little hissy fit and calling a person names just because you're upset ... is childish.
Personally, I haven't a clue what it's like to grow up as a minority ... so what do I know? Therefore, I listen. Learn. I may not agree, but who cares. It's okay to state your point of view, and then in the end just agree to disagree and walk away. -
[And ... having a little hissy fit and calling a person names just because you're upset ... is childish.]
I agree.
[You, as usual, are missing my point.
Why not just listen, and learn ... and accept the fact that you don't agree but you can see where the other person is coming from.]
I know where they're coming from. They think these policies are necessary in order for them to have a fair chance in this world. I don't see any factual basis for this.
Maybe it's because I only interact with non-ignorant people who don't care what color your skin is. -
Just because YOU don't see a factual basis for it doesn't mean it's not there.
And there ya go again, acting like anyone who doesn't agree with you is not intelligent. That's a cop out. And sounds like another hissy fit, in my opinion. No one agrees with me so therefore you're all beneath my intellect, lol...
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If there IS a factual basis, provide it. Just know that, like everything else in the world, it is not exempt from criticism.
[And there ya go again, acting like anyone who doesn't agree with you is not intelligent. That's a cop out. And sounds like another hissy fit, in my opinion. No one agrees with me so therefore you're all beneath my intellect, lol...]
Poor choice of words. My point is not to call people who "see color" ignorant or stupid; but to emphasize that there is no racism amongst the people I talk to.
If people would stop this "special treatment," and the few who still do would stop discriminating, racism will die before I do. -
I don't know all the ins and outs nor do I care, to be honest with you. Go take a college course on it ... or read or google it. The fact is, seeing how you're so smart and all ... I'm sure you know how to find resources. My point is ... you'd disagree with them. But you disagreeing with them doesn't make them non-factual.
And big news item ... racism will never die. Until all the humans do. -
[you'd disagree with them.]
Only if the arguments contained fallacy.
[But you disagreeing with them doesn't make them non-factual.]
Never said it did; I've only challenged people to present facts that throw a wrench into the logic I use. I welcome that. -
@DrowsyMonkey - I never understand why people get so upset over a simple announcement of the monthly Black Blog Rankings. Why is it so threatening to these folks?
@VoodooKobra - "You have a valid point, but I disagree based on these facts and logic." Black blogs are ignored by mainstream media and majority of blogging lists. As such, we don't get the promotion and exposure given to others. The Black Blog Rankings is an effort to bridge that gap. Finally, please note that I acknowledge being a member of the human race. However, I also am a person of African descent. The Black Blog Rankings honor the second designation without bring dishonor to the first. -
It's not a conspiracy to "ignore black blogs;" it's a tendency for people to only care about subjects that interest them.
Let me ask you a philosophical question:
A black person is what you are, but is it WHO you are? Is your self-identity restricted to the scope of "black man" or "black woman?" No; there is much more to who you are than the color of your skin. The color of your skin has little to do with the strength of your character.
"Black people blogs" might get ignored because black people are commonplace in our society, but blogs run by black people aren't. Are they in the top 10? I can't say for sure. Are they in the top 100? Probably. Are they in the top 1000? Almost certainly. -
@VoodooKobra - As a point of fact, there is not a Black-owned blog or blogger in the top 2160. You seemed to think that there must be one in the top 10, or top 100, or top 1000. If we wait for the system to promote the talented Black bloggers in the universe ... we may be waiting for awhile. I choose not to wait. I honor them each month...
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Perhaps by your count. What if there is a blogger with black skin in the top 100 who just chooses not to make it an issue? How would you personally tell?
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@VoodooKobra - No doubt ... there may be one or more Black owned & operated blogs that rank higher than Pam's House Blend (current #1 Black blog). When I started this process in Sep 2007 we only had 75 blogs on the list. Currently there are over 1300 blogs on the list. We find new blogs by referrals or folks coming by to self-identify themselves. The list evolves ... which is why I publish it monthly.
peace, Villager -
So you justify the list by your inaccurate count, then you justify the monthly promotion with your inaccurate count? Huh?
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@VoodooKobra - I'm not trying to justify anything. You asked a question and I tried to answer it. I'm simply a hobbyist blogger. I'm not a big corportion with unlimited resources. At this point my list doesn't show any Black blogger in the Top 10, Top 100, Top 1000 or Top 2159 of the blogs in the world. However, I readily acknowledge that there could be a Black owned/operated blog in the Top 2159. If you are aware of one ... please share!
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Goodness gracious people, get over it. All I see here are arguments about a few words that are pretty darned harmless. Has anyone visited the blog in question or the the best blogs feature that he offers? I haven't had the time, but that's what this is about.
What if I did a post about best German blogs? Or I was Christian and did ten best Christian blogs? Or, more plausible, 10 best historical blogs. Whatever. You folks need something more important to squabble about.-
You have a point.
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@ Mark ... Exactly. I think everyone's freak out is symptomatic of something else ... which is kinda ugly, IMO.
@ voodoo ... He has a point? LOL .. I basically said the same thing! -
To me, it's not really a freak out. I saw something I didn't agree with, and challenged the person who supported the idea to counter my arguments. This led to more criticism and discussion, and so far nothing has really changed.
He's right; it's pointless. -
Imagine, all that arguing and no one changed their point of view, LOL. Shocking!
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I would have if there was a convincing argument in favor of the pro-affirmative-action [and arguably pro-segregation, pro-racial-superiority] opinion. Most of the arguments I've seen were very ad hominem, including the majority of my own.
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No, I have not visited the blogs in question and I refuse to do so knowing that they are excluding bloggers and including bloggers based on race. That is racism, any which way you look at it.
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Context: you live in a black majority country (South Africa) and I live in a black minority country (USA). Therein might lie our differing perceptions.
"Black" in my country can refer to culture, whereby that culture is by no means monolithic.
If someone here were to advertise "White Blogs", there's be a problem. Double standard? Not really. The message in this case would also have a real cultural context with a real history: white supremacism. The effort to promote black bloggers here is not mirroring that kind of attitude. We are not talking black supremacists. -
Either your blog is worthy of being technorati top 10 or it isn't. My blog isn't. The difference is I don't assume it is because the man is keeping me down due to my skin colour. I try to improve my blog until no man can keep me down, whether the playing field is equal or not.
You can't apply one set of standards to a minority group and another set of standards to a majority group due to historical discrepancies. This scenario is exactly what a double standard means...
Applying double standards merely indicates that your standards are invalid and have no bearing on reality. If they have no bearing on reality, then what is their use?
Why do we give a gold medal at the olympics to the person who comes first, but not to the participants who were historically not allowed to participate? All the participants should have to rotate the gold medal between each olympics depending on their historical status, because that would be representative. Of course, a gold medal in that case is devalued because it no longer means you are the best runner, it merely means you showed up, and that's hardly an achievement if it is not based on merit.
Why have a top 10 list at all if it's not a list of the top 10?
As you noted, your skin colour by no means indicates your heritage. In my position, I could start a top 10 white blogs, because white people are a dwindling minority in South Africa. However, if I get the equivalent of a gold medal, I would like to think that I deserved it due to my running and not because of the status of my class in an oligarchy. -
@MarkStoneman - Excellent point. I often wonder if the more vocal respondants on this discussion ever took a moment to view the post in question. When they see the post in question is there still a concern? or is all this stuff simply about the word, "Black" in my subject title?
@VoodooKobra - I appreciate your perspective, even while disagreeing with it. Also, I never saw anyone bring the concept of 'affirmative action' into this discussion. That is a word with alot of baggage that you seem to have in your mind. It has nothing to do with my BBR...
@flamingpoodle - I always marvel at how people who are ignorant on a topic feel so free to comment on it. This discussion is about a specific post on my blog. You feel free to comment without ever reading the blog post in question. Ignorance must be bliss...
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The thing is, it is impossible to deny "race" in all circumstances. And I'm not gonna deny people the right to self-identify as a group and promote each other's blogs. Now if the blogs were racist, that'd be a different matter, but I suspect that isn't the case. (Haven't been there, as I said, but I have for an earlier edition of this blog's monthly feature) And then there are those of us who try not to view the world through the prism of race. Both viewpoints are legitimate and reflect real ideals and life experiences. I just got ticked off at Gingerbeer25 for telling people they couldn't be colorblind without being racist on another thread (www.blogcatalog.com/discuss/entry/will-you-consider-marrying-a-different-ra...). And I can also get annoyed at the arguments here against this kind of feature.
But this is serious thread creep. Read the darn blog post and promoted blogs to see what they're about. Then criticize if you like.-
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