Chic Speaks!

New Kids on the Block

As a wee girl in the late 80's early 90's, I, like millions of other girls, was obsessed with New Kids On The Block. When they first began I was resistant to liking them (I have no clue why). But quickly their infectious, boy band sex appeal over took me. Soon I had posters, albums, and my first huge crush on a musician.

We all have our favorites. Ask any girl who loved New Kid's who their favorite was and they will respond right away. The two absolutely most popular ones was Jordan Knight and Joey McIntyre. I still have an old diary with the picture of Jordan Knight on it and the entry read something like, "One day I'm going to marry Jordan. I hope he's not too old by the time I turn 18." I had crushes on boys just because they looked like Jordan and this crush went strong for a while. Later I developed a dual crush on Joey McIntyre, which I felt guilty about but could not deny. My sister reminded me about the NKOTB cartoon that aired for awhile that we watched as excited as if it were the live boys themselves. Oh, those were good times. But by the time I was in grade nine had moved on to Lenny Kravitz.

When I first heard that NKOTB were touring, I thought it was a joke. Though I remembered them fondly I couldn't imagine anyone caring enough to see them now, 15 years or so after their hay day. Then my friend Lisa, her favorite is Joey McIntyre, excitedly admitted that she bought tickets to the concert on the first day. I was shocked. Now today I was speaking to my friend Carole, she got a call on the other line and came back very excited about something. She then told me she too was going to see NKOTB. Her favorite is, again, Joey McIntyre. She was the last girl I could imagine going to see them. But she said she was proud and would be screaming so hard that she may not have a voice left by Monday. So all this made me curious about what I liked about them in the beginning. I listened to some of my old Cd's and was reminded quickly. I think they were a far superior boy band then all that followed them. They had great songs, great vocals and something natural about them. After enjoying some of my old tunes I decided to post a list below of some of their best songs.

Chaka's NKOTB Play-list

Please don't go girl (Still love)

Step by Step

I'll be loving you forever

Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time)

There were others but I these were some of my favorite. So now as I sit here, strolling up memory lane, I finally understand how fun it would be to do the same with thousands of  other girls.

Quote of the Day: C.S. Lewis

“Let's pray that the human race never escapes from Earth to spread its iniquity elsewhere.” C.S. Lewis

Obama Versus McCain ("Race" vs "Non-race")

It has been a long time since I blogged here. I've been too busy and too lazy at once but I have been so shocked and disturbed by watching the McCain/Obama race that I had to let it out somewhere. I tried not to go here on my blog but I felt a need to add my opinions into the blogosphere.

Today I was googling about the latest Senate Bill Oprah is championing to protect children and teens from sexual predators and on one of these websites I found this quote.

"Lillyrosses, look beyond their color and race, what i see is Oprah backing her own race to gain more money. McCain might not be the best choice but Obama is worst choice. 90 % of blacks backs Obama, why? color?"

This is something I have been hearing about in one way or another from a particular ethnic and political demographic as a way to put down those of color who support Obama.

Two things disturb me about this quote. One-Protecting children has nothing to do with which political party you belong to, your race, or what you feel about Oprah or Brad Pitt's political bent. It is about protecting our most precious, vulnerable and innocent people on earth so they are not exploited for the sexual thrills and brutal fantasy's of perverts. I am all about protecting children so I feel the claws come out when people diminish how important these laws are by bringing in race.

Second: I think it is ironic that some try to make people of color feel bad about supporting Barack Obama because he is part black. News flash McCain is white, and being white is as much as a race as being black, Indian, or Chinese. These same people do not question why they support McCain. This is a clear example about what racism does in society. It makes it okay for some people to support someone who shares the same ethnicity without being questioned, while others are made to justify why they support someone who just happens to be their race. I have not seen a single white person asked if they are supporting McCain because he is white. But the news discusses how so many white women are fans of Palin, as if this is a good thing. As a woman of color, who believes in the rights of women and children, I do not feel that Palin is even trying to convince me that she cares about my struggles in the world. She waves the "White middle-class hockey mom," flag around with a smile, unapologetically excluding anyone who does not fit that mold. So where would that leave me if I was an American woman who doesn't fit this mold? Plus it frightens me to know what will happen to the young girls and women who are raped, sexually abused, and become pregnant if McCain and Palin are running the country. The devastation to so many lives if these women don't have a right to choose. I feel emotional just thinking about it.

Sexism works in this way too. When Hilary was running people assumed women would or should vote for her because she is a woman. Palin herself called Hilary, "whiny." Why should women have had to justify liking Hilary. In my opinion she is more forceful than most male politicians and I was hoping that Hilary and Obama would end up running mates. (How exciting that would have been.)

Just a few days ago I saw LL Cool J on the Ellen show. LL is an independent but he said he would be voting for Obama. He stumbled over his words as he attempted to explain that he is not voting for Obama simply because they are both African-Americans. I found this sad. Why should anyone Black, Hispanic, Asian or White have to explain themselves for liking Obama.

I will say I am very excited about Obama, and if I was in the states I would vote for him hands down. I'm wishing him the best because I am a fan of many aspects of America and it is sad to see the horrors, 911, hurricanes, war, that has weakened them, and I believe the Democratic's can bring light back into that country. It is time that we destroy the notion that only old white males are capable of running the world. I was also thrilled about Hilary Clinton being in the race, and though I can't vote, I would have been conflicted regarding who to vote for because I am a big Hilary Fan too. I find her charismatic and tough, and as a woman I would have been thrilled to see her commanding the most powerful country in the world as much as I will if Obama wins.