JOIN THE HUMAN RACE

Join The Human Race is where various personalities answer questions, share experiences, and provide thoughts about race and other social issues in an effort to move forward as a united and understanding society.

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Meredith Bell from Palaceburn

I was on the phone briefly catching up with Meredith Bell of Palaceburn, Philadelphia’s emerging metal representatives.  I asked her if she was excited for the her band to be performing at the 11th annual AFROPUNK FEST taking place this Saturday August 22nd in Brooklyn.  Not only was she excited, she managed to sneak in her disappointment about missing WWE’s own annual event Summerslam, which commences during the end of the fest that the band is contributing to.  I couldn’t help but smile and realize that it truly doesn’t get more real and down to earth than that.  Ms. Bell opens up about her music background, overcoming stereotypes, what makes her tick, and what separates Palaceburn from all the rest.

JTHR: How long have you been singing?

MB: I’ve been singing since I was 4 years old. I started out in my grandfather’s church choir in VA. My grandpa played piano for the youth choir at the time. He had a knack for giving me all the solos, so it was pretty forced on me.  Per his recollection, he states that none of the rest of the kids in the youth choir wanted to solo, so I was pretty much the guinea pig! 

JTHR: What makes Palaceburn different from other bands you've fronted or been involved in?

MB: The work ethic, definitely.  I haven’t been in many bands before Palaceburn, but the ones I was involved with… the band members didn’t really have the same desire to go where I wanted to go.  I wanted to quit doing this several times because of it.  I didn’t think I was ever going to find like-minded musicians who wanted to make this a career.  For me, that was important. JTHR: What is the meaning of the band name Palaceburn and how does it correlate to where the band wants to go?

MB: Palaceburn is a take of the Lamb of God album, “As The Palaces Burn”. I’m originally from Richmond, VA, where Lamb of God was formed.  All of us in the band are pretty big LOG fans.  I felt like if Randy and the rest of the boys could make it out of Richmond and make something out of themselves, I wanted to, as well. JTHR: Have you ever been told "you're acting white" due to being into hard rock and metal music and how did that make you feel if and when you've heard that?

MB: I mean, I got that a lot growing up, even before I joined a band.  When I was younger, it used to bother me a lot.  There was this discord between having a bunch of white friends who liked the same things I did, and still being in touch with my “blackness”, in regards to myself and my family.  My grandmother is biracial, so she got a lot of the “high yellow “comments growing up.  She was around during the Civil Rights era.  So she dealt with it worse than I ever did. She always taught me to follow my own path and not to let any sort of racial comments get to me.  I don’t think anyone, including myself, needs to listen to a certain style of music to be in touch with who they are, their ethnicity and what they represent.  It took me a while to realize it.  Now, it doesn’t phase me as much anymore. JTHR: Why do you particularly think people care to place such emphasis on race and what people listen to? Is there a way to actually stop it?

MB: It’s a bad situation right now, when it comes to racial intolerance.  It’s 2015 and we’re still in the midst of fighting for equality for Blacks.  When you have movements like #BlackLivesMatter really picking up as a result of several African-Americans being slaughtered in the streets by those who are supposed to “serve and protect”, it’s kind of hard not to look at things from a racial standpoint.  Unfortunately, that has crossed over into music and pop culture in general.  There’s a lot of cultural appropriation going on with certain artists, and the lack of respect for one’s culture is downright disgraceful.  I’m not sure if it’s ever going to stop until we’re able to take race out of the picture entirely… and I feel like we have a long way to go before that happens. JTHR: Who influenced you the most as a singer/artist?

MB: My grandfather, most definitely.  He played piano for most of his life. And what a voice! He’s the only other musician in our family… no one else can really sing, haha. I was raised by my grandparents and I would come home every day to my grandpa playing the piano.  He knew how to play everything and would be on that thing every day until his arthritis got really bad. I mean – Ray Charles, The Temptations, Ella Fitzgerald – you name it, he could play it. He truly has a love for music, and I think he’s bummed out now that he can’t play anymore.  That’s what I think about when I have those negative urges to quit. I’m still physically capable of being able to perform – and I should do so until I can’t anymore. JTHR: How do you feel about being a role model for black women who want to pursue careers in your profession and genre and women in general?

MB: I don’t really see myself as a role model.  I never have.  But, if I can inspire someone to continue to pursue their dreams, then so be it. I mean… there aren’t really a lot of WOC [women of color] who are doing the type of music I do.  There are some… my sister Alexis from Straight Line Stitch, for example.  I’d love to see more alternative WOC come out of the woodwork and front bands.  That’d be killer. JTHR: So you're performing at the 2015 Afro punk festival- holy shit. What are Palaceburn's expectations? Nervous? Excited? Both? Just another opportunity to take advantage of? Everything above? Aiming to meet some fellow bands and artists backstage?

MB: It’s a huge opportunity for us, and I think we’re all just incredibly excited.  I’ve wanted to be a part of this festival since 2012 or so. I’m thrilled.  I think our expectation is just to go out there and give it all we’ve got – like we always strive to do.  There’s been a shift with rock music – and we want to show Brooklyn that hard rock music is still alive and well.

I’ve made this clear to everyone – I want to meet Lenny Kravitz and touch his abs.  That is all. JTHR: As you and I know there were times where things seemed a little uncertain and foggy with where the band was going; what was it that kept the focus and momentum intact?

MB: Jim and I went through a lot of lineup changes.  That was really what was holding us back from going where we wanted to go.  We both told each other (when it just he and I there for a while) that we weren’t going to let this band die.  He and I have been doing music for about the same amount of time. It wasn’t something that we were just willing to throw away.  I think both of us know that we don’t want to be stuck in a cubicle for the rest of our lives.  So we said we’d find new members and take it as far as it was willing to go. JTHR: What's the meaning behind the single "breathless?"

MB: I was romantically linked with a friend of mine from another band (I do not wish to disclose his name).  His sense of humor was a bit prickish…he’s a natural asshole.  That’s just how he is with everyone.  I guess I expected something different when he and I were messing around for a bit… and I pretty much was treated like all of the rest of his friends.  There wasn’t that shift that people usually make from friends to being together, you know?  It pissed me the hell off. So I went home one day and (naturally) wrote a song about it. Haha.

Funny story – after the recording was finished, I sent it over to him for a listen. He told me – “I’m incredibly sorry for what I did to make you mad – but this is a fantastic song.” So. It all worked out in the end. JTHR: When does the new EP come out and what will it be called?

MB: Curses.  The EP drops August 28th! JTHR: After Afropunk what's next for Palaceburn?

MB: We’ll be booking more shows, trying to push the record more and more… and hopefully by the end of next year, we’ll have our first mini-tour under our belts. Onward and upward, man!

Curses is available for pre-order on iTunes.  The first single, “Breathless” can be heard on Spotify, Youtube, and other music streaming services.  The single can be also bought and downloaded on iTunes.  AFROPUNK FEST 2015 takes place at Commodore Barry Park in Brooklyn, New York August 22nd and August 23rd.

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A Few Thoughts on Baltimore

My friend Reginald Hall wrote what I felt was a well thought out piece of commentary on the events of Baltimore over the last few weeks. Whatever view points we have and however we all may feel, I believe that it’s important that we all share thoughts and learn to understand each other’s perspectives and make strong attempts to see through each other’s point of view.  If we all can’t learn to to do that than we do not allow ourselves a chance at getting to the crux of what are still multiple issues surrounding Race Relations in America.  This piece below is a great example of dissecting and explaining why incidents such as Baltimore and other unfortunate happening (such as Ferguson) happen, have happened in the past, and will keep happening until everyone, not just black and white, understands why. 

- JTHR

A Few Thoughts on Baltimore by Reginald Hall Jr.

I rarely post social commentary on Facebook because – usually – I’m communicating with people who share a similar worldview, which can lead to a virtual circle-jerk. At worst, I learn which “friend” holds a viewpoint that’s racist, sexist, or homophobic. That’s always disappointing.

But Baltimore is on my mind and I want to unload a few thoughts that, if nothing else, don’t have to occupy room in my head.

Now is an opportunity to acknowledge the U.S. school system needs to teach children a more detailed and more accurate version of America’s complicated and messy history in regards to race and class. In the past week I’ve heard questions and statements like:

-  “Why would people destroy their own community?”

-  “Today’s black people don’t know how to protest peacefully like in the 50’s and 60’s.”

-  “I have no sympathy for people who behave like animals.”

Better education would give insight into why riots happen and the mindset of those involved. This understanding might even spark the EMPATHY needed to propel people to change the conditions that inspires people to riot.

First – the majority of people in Baltimore protested peacefully. Don’t overlook this. Unfortunately non-violent protests don’t attract eyeballs to television screens or sell newspapers as much as violence does.  

How do things like riots happen? Well people much smarter than me like Martin Luther King Jr. and Michael Eric Dyson explain this well.

But picture this. You, you’re brother, your sister, your parents, their parents, their parents’ parents have been told that they are – and will always be – less than. You’re poor, just like most of the people around you. Still, you try to follow the dream America sells you – with enough hard work you too can be happy and wealthy. All you need is to earn an education, gain new skills, and market yourself or perhaps start a business.  

Except your school is understaffed and underfunded. Your peers carry unresolved emotional and physical trauma. Lendors pray on your community’s lack of financial literacy. Politicians use the injustice you face as a platform for their own agenda. Police, the people sworn to protect you, view you as a potential threat instead of a human life with value. Large portions of the general public believe you’re responsible for the injustice you face.

As much that mental burden weighs on your psyche, you resolve to make your way to a better life. But one day – once again – the police murder your neighbor with little remorse. This is not the first, or second, or third time.

How would you feel? What would you do? Would you write a letter to your local councilman? Would you call the police or other law enforcement?

No, most likely you wouldn’t. These institutions have already failed you, your family, and your peers for too long.

So what good would rioting do? What good would destroying parts of your community do?

The actions would give you a feeling foreign to your typical existence – empowerment. For once, you’re in control and dictating action instead of being acted on. You also benefit by attracting attention to your grievance. For most of your life your struggle is either invisible or overlooked by the people with the influence to help you the quickest. In a riot, for one moment in time, your plight would be finally be the utmost priority of all of the people who ignore and overlook you – media, police, government. For once, somebody with clout is going to notice you're hurting and angry and not going to let it happen anymore.

I’m not advocating for rioting. I’m pointing out that the violent images you see flash inside your TV and computer screens are the result of intense frustration – and that if you were put in the same situation, you just might do the same thing.

Our education system glosses over the intertwining factors that have systematically contributed to the circumstances of the poor and non-powerful. It's frustrating because if we took more time to investigate and listen to the stories of people facing injustice and their attempts to overcome it, we'd be better equipped to prevent similar injustices from happening.

If you don’t agree with me, that’s okay. (And if you want to constructively explain why, I welcome it).  I just hope the next time this happens you consider all of the factors at play and not just the end result.  

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Kelly Shibari

Kelly Shibari is currently in the process of redefining norms and stereotypes within the adult world. She was featured as the first plus size model in 40 years for Penthouse Forum Magazine’s June 2014 issue. Ms. Shibari was kind enough to speak with JTHR about her experiences and opinions about prejudice against her weight, overcoming stereotypes, along with her success in the industry.

JTHR: How does it feel to have the accomplishment of gracing the cover of Penthouse Forum?

Kelly Shibari: It’s definitely surreal. It was something that I think most of us, I mean, a lot of girls see magazines whether it’s Maxim or a Penthouse or Hustler and there’s a part of us that goes “well, it’d be kind of cool to be in a magazine like that.” Then the reality kicks in and it’s like “nah I’ll never be in a magazine like that.” When they offered me to cover the feature piece it was very cool; it was like a bucket listing that was very tough to find in the sky. The media attention after it was even more surreal than the cover and the article itself because mainstream media picked it up. They were saying things like “historical.” It’s definitely something that is a feather in my cap.

JTHR: What do you think of the term BBW (Big Beautiful Woman)?

Kelly Shibari: I think it’s fine. It’s kind of funny because it’s become an industry term; it’s definitely a PC term when you compare it to stuff like “fat girl” and anything like that. In general it’s a nice term because you have the word “beautiful” in there. I found that a lot of people outside of the adult industry or people that watch XXX films are not familiar with the term. A lot of plus-size women out there in the world are more use to “plus-size.” BBW is short and (for the nerdy-techy side between you and me) it’s good for SEO (laughs). I don’t take offense to that because it’s not derogatory.

JTHR: What do you think of that term being a “niche” or a “fetish?”

Kelly Shibari: When things are hidden or very much in the closet than it gets perceived as a “fetish” or a “niche.” I think what BBW’s do that is kind of “fetishy” can be perceived as a fetish. (In porn) BBW’s do face sitting, BBW’s doing sploshing; that’s a fetish. I think saying you like BBW’s in general is just like saying you like Latina’s or you like Asians or you like blonde girls or brunettes; it’s a preference. I think with anybody you can “fetishise.” You can “fetishise” blonde chicks so that you are only dating girls who are blonde and if you’re dating a brunette and you convince them to dye their hair; that becomes a fetish. If you’re dating a girl who’s slender and you’re convincing her to gain weight because what you want is a BBW than that “fetishises” it. If you’re actively saying you tend to date or tend to be in relationships with people who are bigger, that’s just a preference. I think in porn it use to be a fetish because it’s something people didn’t talk about; like, “oh my God you’re into fat girls?”

Lately, because there’s so much plus-sized porn out there we’re much more physical because of things like social media. I think that it’s becoming less of a fetish. It’s still going to be a niche but it’s becoming more of a preference. It’s always going to be niche because when you compare anything to mainstream porn with millions on consumers; anything with a smaller group of people than that is always going to be called a niche.

JTHR: Though you’re Asian, are you mixed with anything else?

Kelly Shibari: I’m Japanese-Irish.

JTHR: Since you’re Japanese-Irish, have you experienced any forms of racism and prejudice in regards to your size while rising through the ranks of the industry? If you have, what do you feel could be done to combat that?

Kelly Shibari: It’s really funny; I recently lost a chunk of weight (45-50 lbs) I wasn’t on a diet, I don’t go to the gym, and I still eat how I’ve kind of always eaten. My thyroid kind of fell back into shape. It was really sluggish for years and I’ve gained weight because of it. I’ve always been a chubby chick. I’ve been chubby since I was a kid. Because I’ve lost weight I’ve had people in the BBW community go “oh, you’re not big enough to be one of us.” My response has always been “yeah, but I’m still big for being Asian.” I’m almost perpetuating the stereotype on my own, because I’m a big boned chick, I’m half Irish. The Irish side of my family, we’re like big linebackers. Being an Asian American and being Bi-Racial means I also have physical characteristics of the White side. The racism is isn’t so much from the fanbase but within the (BBW) community, which is interesting.

JTHR: I know that when you were younger you experienced issues with your body. What’s the moment for you when you were able to embrace your size and become so confident, empowered, and willing to tackle what you’ve tackled?

Kelly Shibari: I was following the “herd.” The “herd” was telling me that I needed to be smaller. Media was telling me that I needed to be smaller. Parents were telling me that I needed to be smaller. They were telling me that I needed to be smaller because they were hearing it from the media. Mainstream Media , and in a weird way, the American pharmaceutical industry, they really pushed the agenda of “thin equals happy.” Celebrities are always on a diet, they’re always hawking some product. All of these late night and day time commercials are about how you need to be on some pill, go to this gym, try this workout, buy this DVD series; shows like biggest loser. Mainstream media projects this image that if you’re fat, than you must be sad, depressed, have some sort of problem, and you’re only allowed to be funny; that’s the only way you’re allowed to be entertaining, you’re not allowed to be sexy. You’re not allowed to have guys thinking that you’re hot. Like, if you’re fat, the only thing you’re allowed to do as an entertainer is be a comedian, and that sucks because you’re making yourself the joke.

It’s not just the US. Japan’s the same way. Any sort of 1st world consumer nation is always going to promote the thing that makes money. You can’t make money when consumers are happy. If your consumers are happy, they’re not really going to buy stuff. If they buy more stuff it’s depressed. Unfortunately, when the companies promote products that are geared towards the basis that you’re unhappy. They keep telling you you’re unhappy than you get that message and people believe the hype. For me, moving from Japan to the US was a big way from it all because I was chubby. I thought I was the exception to the rule living in Japan. In moving to the states, there were a lot more people my size. I found that I’m not necessarily to thin or too fat or unhappy or sad, or depressed, I’m just me. I saw a lot more people in the states just being themselves, they’re still being fed the messages that they’re supposed to be sad but there’s also the realization that “oh, I’m not just one thing that sticks out.” Now I’m in an environment where there’s a lot more people my size. Maybe I shouldn’t be so hard on myself; everyone else seems to be okay.

I still listened to the media messages and so through college I was pretty active going to the gym. I’ve tried every diet. None of them really made me happier. Losing weight in that regard didn’t make me happier; doing fun things made me happier. I don’t watch regular TV. I don’t listen to regular radio. I listen to Pandora or Soundcloud for my music. I watch Hulu or Netflix for my TV. So, I don’t really feel subjected to the media messages anymore.

Kelly along with Adult film performer and director Jessica Drake and Wicked Pictures’s worked on the highly successful jessica drake’s Guide to Wicked Sex: Plus Size. It’s the first ever sex instructional movie for people of size and showcases women with diverse BBW sizes ranging from 14 to 24. Kelly has a full-length scene with acclaimed and award winning actor/director Derrick Pierce. The best selling instructional DVD sold out upon release and is currently in its second run. It comes with a variety of topics including size-friendly positions and relationship communication advice. Kelly and other stars provide an exclusive non-adult look into issues that plus-size women face along with possible solutions to increase confidence and combat negative stereotypes.

JTHR thanks Kelly for sharing her time and thoughts!  

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Michael Sam

I listened to the radio yesterday and found that people were actually offended and appalled by a simple kiss between football player Michael Sam and his boyfriend at the NFL Draft this past weekend.  I have nothing more to say except this once again shows how far away this country is and we as a people are from being the open minded destination that we should strive to be.  Instead of being happy for a man who worked hard and is proud of who he is and who he represents, there is all this commotion about a mere kiss.  Personally, I think it's pathetic and unfortunate. 

[gogogadgetgoat]

Mary Bowser, former slave of the Van Lew family, infiltrated the Confederacy by working as a servant in the household of Jefferson Davis. Bowser was assumed to be illiterate, and as a black woman was below suspicion. Practically invisible, she was able to listen to conversations between Confederate officials and read sensitive documents, gathering information that she handed over to the Union.

(From National Woman’s History Museum Facebook Page)

[mooglemisbehaving]

This needs to be a movie. Like, now.

[lexkixass]

I’d watch this movie.

[lucymontero]

How is this not a movie?

[thesoftghetto]

This would be a great damn movie

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Mike Missanelli

Our first interview is with Mike Missanelli, a Sports Talk Radio Host for Philadelphia's ESPN Affiliate 97.5 The Fanatic. Sports and race have had quite the historical relationship and when a racially infused local or national story comes to the forefront, he isn't one to shy away from engaging his callers in conversation during airtime.  

JTHR: How do you feel about Donald Sterling's comments? What should the NBA do about it? Do you think this kind of "behind the scenes" racism runs rampant in corporate sports culture?

Mike Missanelli: I think Sterling's comments are deplorable. The NBA must take the same stance as baseball did many years ago with Marge Schott by suspending him. The only thing I can say is that I HOPE this kind of racism amongst ownership doesn't run rampant in the corporate sports culture since a majority of the athletes in many sports are black.

(NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has since banned Donald Sterling for life and fined him the maximum amount of 2.5 million dollars for his comments)

JTHR: Have you experienced racism in your life and if so how did you react to it and how did it make you feel? 

Mike Missanelli: For me to say I've experienced racism would be cheating the people who have actually EXPERIENCED racism.  I've been called ethnic slurs at various times of my life and it made me angry enough to fight someone. I can't imagine having to deal with racism on an every day basis and having enough decorum not to react with anger.

JTHR: If you have a discussion with someone regarding a racial issue and they don't understand nor care, what do you do to guide them towards a better understanding of it? 

Mike Missanelli: I try to open people's minds to that possibility. Most white people cannot relate to the concept of racism because they live in their own little bubble or certainly in denial. Living in denial helps you press the issue downward and you dont have to consider whether you've ever been guilty of racism. To deal with that possibility means you actually have to work at it and most people don't want to face up to that workload.

JTHR: Do you think it's possible to eradicate racism and if so, how? If not, in your opinion, what can everyone do to make it less of a problem for future generations in America?

Mike Missanelli: It CERTAINLY is possible to eradicate racism if people can open up their minds to that possibility and make special effort to do so. I ask people all the time: how is it POSSIBLE to be TOO politically correct. Fact of the matter is, being politically correct doesn't take much effort. All it takes is to understand the other person's position. If someone is telling you they are offended by something, its not YOUR choice to decide if they are. It's their ball game. Racism is filtered out by education. The more educated we are about the problems, the more we can understand it. Our ancestors at one point or another had racist tendencies. Today's generations should have a better understanding of racism because we have been more educated, we have been given more opportunity, we have traveled more, we have met more people of other cultures. JTHR: Do you think "reverse racism" exists and regardless, what do you think of the term?

Mike Missanelli: Reverse racism? So far as I can tell, white people still have it pretty good in America, whether they have had to sacrifice any bit of their existence to acknowledge that other cultures and creeds DO exist.

JTHR: From a White perspective, do you think there’s a responsibility to understand why race in America is an issue and why it continues to be a “controversial” topic, especially for black people and other minorities?

Mike Missanelli: I think it is ESSENTIAL that white people acknowledge that racism still does exist, otherwise we're not going to make any further dents into the problem. JTHR: One time I was at a bar and I had a drunken white guy come up to me and he bought me a Long Island because I'm black and he was sorry about "the past." He offered to hook me up with his white girl friends or something - I'm not kidding, I swear this happened.  This probably would be a hilarious yet exaggerated example of “white guilt.” - Do you feel that there's a "white guilt" backlash? What do you have to say to people who accuse you of having “white guilt?” 

Mike Missanelli: White guilt? Trying to help bond other races and cultures and creeds for the sake of a more harmonious society is white guilt? I laugh at the ignorance of that term.

JTHR: Is there a subliminal "we got it first now it's your turn" sentiment between minorities and white people in the entertainment industry regarding white jokes? 

Mike Missanelli: I dont get what white jokes are. I think white people should find a comfort level that they are not the aggrieved party. No white joke can offend me enough that I equate it as offensive as racism. JTHR: How do you feel about the term "Post-racial America?"

Mike Missanelli: Post racial America is an idealistic term. I hold hope that little by little, we are getting there. But we certainly are not there yet.

JTHR: It’s been my observation that racism and hate in general is taught.  Do you agree with this or not? Regardless what do you think is the right thing for parents and adults to say to young children regarding the topic? 

Mike Missanelli: I see SO many racial attitudes in young people and that disturbs me more than anything. Obviously they are getting that from semi-bigoted and still bitter parents. That's a real shame. But again, only education is going to foster better understanding. We all stood up to our parents about attitudes and methodologies that we didn't agree with. It is the responsibility of young people to do that now when it comes to racism.

Join The Human Race thanks Mike Missanelli for sharing his thoughts! 

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Welcome to 2014

There's something that I will never forget that I heard while at a diversity workshop back in college. The issue of race and racism is literally embedded in the soil of America.  Whether we like it or not, in 2014, the issue of race, with all of its baggage, is not only relevant; it's evident in many facets of American culture.  

How do we as a society learn to acknowledge all the complexities that come with it?  I've experienced that no matter what, it's best to engage in conversation, ask questions, and see different perspectives. One doesn't solve a problem by ignoring it.  Race and other social issues affect all of us in one way or another. Join The Human Race interviews various personalities about these issues.