Dawn Is Me

Did you visit the BlogHer ‘06 conference? Neither did I. Neither did a lot of people, but that didn’t stop them from having opinions.

Oh, come on. People are just like that. You should know that by now.

For the record, people who did go also had opinions. Sometimes, that happens, too.

Anyway, I’m not prepared to state an opinion on the conference and whether it should exist and what kind of sinister interpretations might possibly be had by all those paranoid types out there (but not, of course, by the folks who point out these possible interpretations). I’m just going to make an observation.

This is an observation that has as its basis my entire life experience as a member of an “excluded minority” (read: black woman).

One of the most consistently comical things I get to see is how people start to twitch as soon as you even say that much. In fact, if I got my rocks off by watching people twitch, I could endlessly entertain myself in most of the circles I frequent.

But I digress.

See, all this intense discussion looks like something I’ve seen many times before. It sort of goes like this:

“Us”: I’m a member of an excluded group. I don’t like it.

“Them”: Well, too bad. You couldn’t seriously expect us to want to hang out with people like you. You don’t have it so bad. Quitcher bitchin’

“Us”: I really don’t like being excluded. It is uncomfortable; I feel alienated and alone. I don’t like it.

“Them”: Well, I’m sorry but we wouldn’t have to exclude you if you were more like us. Or even, if you were just like us … then there wouldn’t be a problem. But … well … you’re one of … you know … you. I’m sure you understand.

“Us”: Oh, I know! How about if some of Us get together and throw a big party. We can let anybody come, but we’ll make sure that everybody knows the party is about Us. Then we can come together and we don’t have to feel alienated and rejected anymore! Way cool!

“Them”: Um … I’m not comfortable with what you’re doing.

“Us”: Mmmm … beg pardon?

“Them”: I’m not comfortable with what you’re doing. That party you’re throwing … you say it’s inclusive but that’s not how it feels to me.

“Us”: And how does it feel to you?

“Them”: I feel excluded. I don’t like it.

“Us”: Well, gee. Fancy that.

CNL spends more of her time simply surfing than I do, which I suppose explains why she is forever finding the coolest things.

Take this for example. Here’s where I’ve been:

create your own visited states map
or check out these Google Hacks.

Note for the history buffs: Not at all difficult to see the route the bus took when it brought fourteen-year-old me back home to Philly from a visit to friends near Seattle, is it?

I’ve been out of the loop for awhile, as you probably know. So, as is usually the case under these circumstances, I’ve been catching up.

Right this minute, I can’t make up my mind which mental image appeals to me more

CNL’s dad dragging CNL’s son out of bed (from fly-on-the-wall perspective)

or

CNL with monkeys flying out of her butt.

Decisions, decisions …