Exactly. Even if it were some kind of spoof, eg he is making fun of the idea that people would want him to be straight, a clothed man posing with a near-naked woman just isn't cool. As you say, it lends additional credibility to women being sexual props.

I actually think the reverse would be very sexy, although with a straight woman and a naked man used as plaything -- specifically because that goes *against* the mainstream meme and would be edgier. For example, if the Ciara and Justin Timberlake roles in their video were reversed, with him in chains and less clothing.

I hear you... even so-called evolved guys rarely speak up when someone says insultingly "you throw like a girl" or something similar. That and "get some balls" and "like a scared little girl" (when used to insult a boy or man) are used frequently. Even the casual use of "he" as a default for a random animal one sees conveys a message to little girls.... and boys.

I'm glad your boys are getting the benefit of your perceptiveness!

While one of my partners said I had "man arms" because I have been lifting and my triceps are getting some definition (my biceps don't cooperate as well), my daughter said the other day that she wants to be "strong like mommy." That made me happy. My husband, not so much.

Sounds like Rock's good intentions (I assume they were) didn't pan out too well.

What you mention about blaming hair for relationship failure really seems extreme. Why assume the guy is paying the tab for that -- I've never heard of men of any race ponying up for feminine upkeep, whether that entails hair, nails, tampons, birth control, or whatever.

In focusing on celebs, Rock may have picked a focus group that is more likely to have weaves/relaxed hair not because they personally seek to emulate WW, but because they are in an industry that asks them to do so. So he may have been projecting a desire onto the BW that is really imposed rather than chosen.

Similarly with Thomas Sowell. I've read most of Sowell's books, including his autobiography, and although he is often called a "sellout," it would be very difficult for someone who's read the autobiography, even someone who disagrees strongly with Sowell's economic positions, to argue that.

Great post. Steele hasn't succeeded in connecting, but it isn't because of his existing as black or not black enough. He simply isn't doing what good salesman (aka politicians) should do -- articulate a value proposition that speaks to the target audience.

I think the statement above that Clarence Thomas is a "sellout" contradicts the spirit of the post. Randall Kennedy, in "Sellout," explains why one (such as himself) can disagee strongly with Thomas' politics, but also believe that Thomas himself believes them. Kennedy demonstrates how Thomas' upbringing leads to his beliefs and how, despite people claiming he imitates Scalia, Thomas has often been the thought leader. Kennedy believes Thomas has a coherent philosophy that he, Kennedy, doesn't support, but doesn't feel that makes Thomas a "sellout" if the latter sincerely holds his own beliefs.

Agree. I'm no expert on trans definitions but my mom is a therapist and has noted that various clients who cross-dress identify as the gender they appear to be when not cross-dressing -- eg, a man who likes dressing occasionally in women's clothes, or vice versa. They didn't identify as transgender. Some cross-dressers probably do, but I don't think we can know this with Brewer. Transgender is "being a person who identifies with or expresses a gender identity that differs from the one which corresponds to the person's sex at birth" as an ongoing identification; cross-dressing can range from transitory to ongoing, I would think.

I just read a comment above that suggests you aren't saying it's per se wrong but simply that it's preferable for a same-race family to adopt. I agree. But often that isn't an option, especially with an older child who's waited years in the orphanage.

Another thought. I think it's inescapable that white parents aren't going to have the perspective black parents will about what a black child will encounter. So right off the bat, there is a strike against the situation as ideal.

But looking at the hierarchy of needs of a child, at the very top is: to have parents who love her or him.

Many children in orphanages do have parents, or relatives, who love the child, but cannot afford to take care of the child.

Others do not. And in one case I am very familiar with, the child had direct proof of this. The child did not have loving or available relatives or the current prospect of a loving home.

So in that situation, we are no longer able to look for ideals. At that point, if there are adoptive parents who love the child, who will provide a loving home, who will do their best to provide not only link to the child's culture and an environment that is friendly to it and understanding of the pitfalls, I think it is unconscionable to suggest that transracial adoption is per se wrong.

That doesn't meant the adoptive parents, if of another race, shouldn't do everything they can to educate themselves. And assuming a white parent cannot feel anger and passion in preparing a child and dealing with ongoing racism is not quite fair. The parents can also choose an ethnically diverse community -- as mine did -- and be aware that even this won't shield young Korean girls from being called "chink" and being asked if they eat dogs. You're right that a white parent can never "get it" in the same way, and so one cannot pretend it is ideal. It isn't. But real life isn't. Adoptive parents can do their best, and their best is often much better than ignorant celebs with savior complexes.

Cosigning Atlasien.

Celebrity adoption is a small subset of transracial adoption. While some celebs are motivated by liberal credentialing and also don't choose (as you are right, they should) to instead use their ample funds to aid parents who are present but cannot afford to take care of children, that is a limited fact pattern.

Many children are in agencies because there is no relative who, absent financial concerns, would be available and willing to care for that child.

to be ct'd..