From A YouTuber In My Inbox:

Monica Mingo,

I found your video on CNN's being black in America and came over to your site. I spent a couple of hours looking around and reading a lot of the comments and it seems like you and the people that comment are fooling yourselves if you think you're living the black experience. Black people got it hard and I think CNN was really trying to help. We don't all have the kind of money you all seem to have with your private schools and maids. In fact, I think most of you are probably frauds that just want to make it seem like you're better than black people as this has happened all of our lives as it seems some black people want to be anything other than black. Also, it was no surprise to me to find that your husband was white. I kind of figured as much because you seemed the type that would think a brother wasn't good enough for you. So you see you can't really speak on being black in America and your readers aren't representatives either because it seems all of you want to be anything other than black and there isn't anything wrong with our culture even though most people want to distance themselves from all things black. CNN told the real story and not that fantasy land stuff.

SIP: Monica can't answer because she's in a meeting with her Butler going over the household menu for the month of September. He's suggesting lobster being flown in from Maine with Scottish bagpipers at the entrance of the castle that is 13700. After that, Driver is taking her to their private airfield as she and her White, rich husband who has everything (Hostess 2008) are dashing off to Beijing to watch a few rounds of the Track and Field competition. Their seats are waaaaay better than Bush's and Putin's and they are stopping along the way to pick up members of the Tribe as they head out. Please be packed and ready to roll out.

Thank you in advance for answering this young man and for being all packed and ready to go once Le Plane arrives. None of that CPT shit.

The Robinator: Sushi? You know I don't eat that ish! Please make sure the plane is fully stocked with Cheez-its and wine. Thanks. Oh...and tell Pilot I need to review his choice in music for the flight. I don't remember hearing any EPMD last week.

Comments

[Keri]

That commenter is truly ignorant and small-minded. One can only pray that person can eventually understand reality by viewing a broader spectrum of the world. Some people, hoewver, are just stuck on stupid.

[Lia]

Dear Commentor: Not everyone who lives in your town also lives on your street, or is that concept too hard to grasp?

Dear SIP: Good comeback! :)

[MissGina]

"So see, the problem with CNN's portrayal and comments made by people like the author of this email is that this is not the reality for a lot of us. And quite frankly, I'm absolutely tired of people of other races looking in pure shock when I say something about my experience that they never in a million years would have thought that I, a black woman, would have because they watched the portrayal that CNN set forth.

Expand your mind. I understand your world - make an effort to understand mine. " quoted by Kiwi423

[Kristin]

See Monnie, that's when you know you are really successful...the morons, the crazies, and the haters come out of the woodwork.

[nzblack]

Honestly? I cannot even summon the strength to come up with something to say to this person or the other youtubers because they will not get it. They are so limited in their thinking it would be wasting my breath. I think that is the greater tragedy that was in fact highlighted in the CNN special; without hopes and dreams, limitless hopes and dreams, they are already the walking dead and it breaks my heart.

[adrienne]

WHAT.AN.IDIOT!

[The Robinator]

Soledad O'Brien obviously wrote this to you. She's trying to promote her show while throwing us off her scent.

I smell her.

[foreverloyal]

Everyone already said it all.

This statement was especially succint "Maybe the emailer needs to broaden his/her horizons instead of trying to limit everyone else's."

I know someone who started out with some pretty good advantages in life, but because of a need to act "more black" having a harder time than was necessary.

[Michelle]

Wow! Sorry I'm late..Just waking up since it's Saturday in Japan..oh I shouldn't say that I'm Black and I live in Japan and I have a wonderful view of Mt Fuji from my balcony.

[KELICIA`]

You are obtaining haters at an alarming rate Monnie! It's the end of the summer, that makes 14 right?? For some people ignorance is bliss, and I don't have to tell you, but keep doing you. By the way you handled it, I know you will:)

[Stephanie]

Wow, I did not know that having a white husband means you think a "brother" is not good enough. I guess I am going to have to come up with a good ass reason to tell my son why I only appreciate half of him and not the half that came from me.

[TravelDiva]

Sorry, I'm reading & commenting late...I just got back from Beijing on my private lear jet. Took a couple of corporate sponsors to see the gymnastic finals. After this conference, I'm jetting off to my private island in Tahiti.

I really hate me some ignat, stoopit people. Being poor does not equal the "Black Experience." I'm sick of the rationale that you have to be from the projects, be on welfare, and not pursue excellence to be considered black. Just go somewhere with your ignat - poor in the mind & spirit - azz.

[Kiwi423]

The reader said: "CNN told the real story and not that fantasy land stuff". Within that statement lies the issue with the special, at least from my standpoint.

I am 30. I have two degrees. I make well over 6-figures a year. I paid cash for my 2007 Camry. I own a home, and an investment property. I lived in Paris for a while. I am a lawyer - my sister is a doctor. Both of us are single, childless, but in serious relationships. Our parents are college graduates; one is an architect and the other a senior vice president. Majority of my close friends are people who I went to school with or work with - so they all have degrees, and nice jobs. I have someone clean my home, and have done so since law school - because I despise cleaning and my time and sanity, IMHO, is worth the money that I pay.

So see, the problem with CNN's portrayal and comments made by people like the author of this email is that this is not the reality for a lot of us. And quite frankly, I'm absolutely tired of people of other races looking in pure shock when I say something about my experience that they never in a million years would have thought that I, a black woman, would have because they watched the portrayal that CNN set forth.

Expand your mind. I understand your world - make an effort to understand mine.

[Andree]

Wow....fascinating how this person seems to know you better than you do!

[Nikita]

"...it seems all of you want to be anything other than black and there isn't anything wrong with our culture even though most people want to distance themselves from all things black" via the commentor.

This definition offered by CNN of blackness is limiting and ... new. It is not what we all are, or even what we were. It did not show us with pride in our communities. It did not show us with too many positives at all. This group of folks on this site, we KNOW who we are and where we came from, and we just refuse to let that definition of blackness from CNN box us in. We know and have had the struggles, we know our personal history and we keep striving for something better ANYWAY. Besides, our history is rich, wonderful and full of victory. The culture that is now on display, some of it anyway, is not ALL of who we are as a people. Don't fall for the okey doke. By the by, WE (particpants on this site) won't apologize for our current lives, or for that matter the ones we are striving for, not being part of that CNN show either. Just not gonna happen.

The mind is THE final frontier. Once someone can determine and own that they own EVERYTHING including our/your FUTURE. And THAT truth, my dear poster, is why we loudly said it did NOT represent US. If someone repeats something long enough, after a while, it becomes truth. A look at any history book or news cast with its many distortions will show you that.

[Melonie]

I'm not typing this comment.

In fact, I'm dictating it to my majordomo while I think about the next "not black" thing to do.

That's enough, Jeeves.

No, Jeeves. I didn't want you to type that! I'm done!

[Brownngirl]

Dat commentur is frontin too, yo! They kant be blak. They spellin and grammer too good. Kleerly I am the the onliest blak persin here.

[PrincessTiffany]

I don't understand. So, if your well off you aren't really Black. And if you have a white spouse then you have to hand over your Black card. This fool is already brainwashed. Her mindset is what will continue to keep her on the have not list. I get tired of people telling me what "Black culture"is. As long as I stay Black whatever I do is "Black Culture".

[SIP]

Monnie is about to share with yall some of the wittier comments that she got on her "Blackness Under Review" video. She kept most of the more fun-fun ones. ROFL!

[kisz4tj]

I feel sorry for the commentor. The comment is basically saying that what he/she sees is something that is unattainable, and with that mindset he/she is right :-/

[Kelly]

I feel sorry for the commentor. The comment is basically saying that what he/she sees is something that is unattainable, and with that mindset he/she is right :-/

[Kayla]

Wow! That is fuckery at its best. That is all..nothng more.

[dmac]

i refuse to believe that a black person wrote that. i think somebody frontin'.

[Roslyn Holcomb]

What a sad, sad individual. I haven't seen anyone post on here about anything that isn't a normal middle-class existence. That this person thinks that a normal middle-class existence is somehow 'not black' is probably the most pathetic thing I've heard in a while.

Black people aren't struggling, POOR PEOPLE are struggling. And for the last goddamned time the two things ARE NOT synonymous. Didn't any of these mofos watch Sesame Street? One of these things is not like the others...

[Beloved]

I get Keelah's last post and I can understand how it may seem surreal to some. The problem that I have w/ the original commenter negates all of our experiences in one fell swoop because it's not HIS experiences or those of his friends, which is unfair. It's just as unfair as us negating HIS experiences.

[cbean]

{{{{Keelah}}}}} I second everything you had to say.

[cbean]

My bags are packed. I got permission from the owner so you guys can land the helo on the heliport atop the parking garage.

[Keelah]

I understand this persons comment fully. When I first started to come here, I noticed that I felt WAY inferiour to the regla posters. I felt that your lifestyles were the exception and certainly not the rule, because in my experience of life that appears to be the truth. (as I'm sure is the case with YouTube person) It wasnt until I layed my insecurities and preconcieved notions at the door, that I was able to realize that we all want the same things, the difference between you and I, was the fact that you believed you could have them. And you lived your life from that place. We have different opinions and have led different lives, but we share something greater that means more than what you can SEE!

I too, enjoyed the CNN special, because I saw reflections of the world that I grew up in. With every story, I saw myself, my mama, my cousins...my LIFE!...but I was quite disappointed to not see any reflections of the life that I am striving to live. The life of people who dont feel confined to live what 'they' tell us we are 'supposed' to be. It would be nice to note the diversity that exists in Black America...if there is even a such thing.

I am not mad at her, I feel for her. I have been there, the only difference between her and I, is the fact that NOW I know better. And I do better! I wish the same for her.

Good luck to you, random hater! My prayer for you is that you find something in your life that inspires you to reach for more than you apparently believe you are worth. Contrary to what you may have initially thought, THIS is a very good place to start. People here are just BEAUTY-FULL and truly inspiring! Sure, you may already be banned and never get to read this..but Ah well! Ish happens! :)

[mon]

Go marla!
I think SIP handled those comments very well!

[LoveBug]

I'm not sure how to respond to this one other than to say that "Life for me ain't been no crtystal stair." Wait, I'm black....am I supposed to be quoting poetry?! I'm married to a man who at one point lived in a house that had an outhouse. We worked hard, went to school, made some good choices, and we continue to work hard and do what we have to do to have the life we want. For me, this is the "black experience." I do know that some people's experiences are far worse than mine and I understand that their view of the world is shaped by that. The problem is they don't understand that they don't have to stay there. That's sad.

[marla]

There are so many facets of "the black experience," and black people were not CNNs target audience. I believe they were attempting to expose white america to some of the realities of black america. Realities that most black americans are already aware of. However they did a disservice to everyone by not showcasing a more diverse makeup of black americans.

American blacks and whites live in unilateral worlds. One can continue to live within their sector without ever crossing the lines (some easier than others). It would be more beneficial to have shown what life is like along the class lines.

We as black americans have also baricaded ourselves into smaller boxes against each other and will defend them heavily. Ol' Bitter is just defending his/her box and pi.s.sing on his/her sidewalk. I'm sorry you feel that way. If your beliefs are truly that limited, then i am sorry for you because you have limited your own growth and potential.

I have more than some, less than others. But i will continue to be black and I will continue to live my black experience. I will continue to meet and spend time with others whose black experiences closely mirror my own as well as those whose black experiences do not.

If all you're doing is seeking out those that mirror you and rejecting those that do not, you are doing yourself a disservice.

[InnerDiva]

Bare foolishness. So because my life doesn't reflect what was seen on CNN, I must not really be black. I guess I'll just head on over to the projects, ruin my credit, have a few kids and collect that welfare check...

[Lord Hannibal]

It's been moved and properly seconded that affluent black people:

1) Are not black
2) Should feel guilty for being affluent

Can we bring this to a vote?

[Erica B.]

Sorry I'm late commenting, as I was attending a meeting at my daughter's exclusive prep school. Mr. B and I will be donating a new gymnasium. {eyeroll}

I hate stoopit folk... I ain't even got time.

[nathan jefferson]

Babs is awesome.

[Babs]

I actually feel sorry for the youtube author. If they think our lives are fantasy land then it shows they aren't striving for much. We are just regular folks who use birth control and avoid criminal activity, unlike those portrayed in the documentary.

[nathan jefferson]

I had a philosophy teacher ask the class does black and white people want and expect the same things. Mind you I'm in a all black class mind you most of the class said no and about two people said yes and me being me I was to shy to say anything. I didnt understand the question back then but I do now. Everyone want and strive for the same things, a good job, a good education, and nice things. Sad to say like the people in my class only a small handfull of us attain the lifestyle that is coveted in our society. While a lot of us dont reach that level sad to say some of our brothers and sisters dont try and are bitter because they didnt bust there asses like Monica and Robbie to be aable to have a house keeper or cleaning staff or a nice house. Dont get mad and fire off angry missives at people you perceive to be stuck up or haughty. You should have studied harder in school and went to college and got lucky and met a man who loved you like no other. I rarely get angry at ignorant shit but this letter pisses me off because you assumed and when you assume you make an ass of u and me.

[Bridgette]

Okay, I just read the post again and this really bothers me. I am from the 'hood, grew up poor, was told repeatedly I would never be or have anything. This didn't come from my parents but other close family members. I chose to remove myself from that environment and chose to let my children have a different reality.

I did relate very well to the CNN special because most of those people could've been any one of my relatives but I still felt they didn't do a good job. How would white people feel if a special titled "White in America" only showed trailer parks, hillbillies, and rednecks? That too doesn't effectively portray white people's lives. It only captures a small portion.

The youtuber person is an idiot. That's all I have to say.

[Aida]

Delurking on this one....

I watched both episodes of Black in America and left feeling pretty positive about both of them. I also watch your YouTube response to it and felt that maybe people with the same opinion as you were being hard on CNN, but then yesterday I got it. Why was it necessary? What's so different about being black in America as opposed to any other race? Sure, we've had it very very rough, but we're not some monolithic group that you can cover in a 4 hour documentary.

I am black, I love being black, I grew up middle class, but my parents grew up poor, I went to college, I have a degree, I work and I make more than that average two parent household. I won't apologize for choices I made and I don't feel pity for those who had a choice and made the wrong one. I am Black in America. Tell Mr. or Ms. YouTube they can check their bitterness at the door of my McMansion in the suburbs far far away from the "real" Black people in America.

[Pinky]

Call me what you want, but I and a great number of friends and family cannot even fathom living what CNN has deemed "The Black Experience". My question is, if half those people living CNN's "black experience " felt as if they had the choice (which they do), wouldn't they have chosen a better life for themselves and their families? Just because our choices are different doesn't change the fact that our skin is brown. Just stupid.

[Queeny20]

I hate LH right now!!! Q

[Bridgette]

Now it's time to say goodbye to all my affluent friends...

I guess I have to ban myself since I have no maid and my children do not attend private schools. But then, my husband's salary allows me to be a SAHM. Does that mean I can continue to read and comment on your "fantasy land" site? Oh shoot, but he's not white so I guess this is the end.

Please let me know when you return from Beijing.

[laughing808]

Need I get mad?????

I find that inbox response very disturbing. I frenquently comment here and I don't have a butler and I'm married to a black man. Apparently the responder didn't take the time to view some of your comments blogs or take a poll.

Where does that person get the nerve to lump every black person in to one category? They don't know me or my experience as a black person. I am one pay check, ok maybe two, away and two blocks from the "hood" While I haven't had it as bad as others, I don't presume to know the ENTIRE black experience, just MY BLACK EXPERIENCE. And as such that person shouldn't begin to comment on others they don't know......ok, I'm hot now......Ms. Monnie do your thing........damn the haters. The nerve of some people. They would want to rub elbows with those that are doing better instead of trying to fault them for it.

Oh, yeah I like your response.......Can I hitch a ride on the plane as well?

[Lord Hannibal]

Um, Hostess? That's M-A ... M-A.

:-)

See, that's how I not you is not REALLY black! Tryna spell words all correctified and stuff.

[Hostess]

First off, a housekeeper doesn't cost that much. For the price of a Christmas ham, and less than a half pound of we.ed, people in the hood, the authentically Black, could have a housekeeper too! Second, the cost of an 'ordered car' and a cab are just about the same when it comes to long distances. This person is tripping.

Y'all know what?? We remind this person of what they COULD be if they decided to try. Nobody likes to see what they could be because it means they are either not trying (hard enough) or too stupid to be anything else. It's better to say we're fake than to say we made decisions that didn't put us as a feature on CNN's Pathetic In America.

Now, so long as his authentically Black In America arse doesn't move in my neighborhood, I'm good. There's a moratorium on stupid!!! It's been in place since Fantasia did that B-A-B-Y M-O-M-M-A song.

[Blacker Too]

Brilliant response to someone who is a brain short of being intelligent.

How sad is it when a black person (presumably) has it in his head that to be affluent is to be less black?

Racism IS the enemy, but no more so than people like this imbecile.

[missmo1984]

oh i forgot to mention, I am in my handmade, customized,car that no one in the world has and my driver says to tell you hello! HA!

[Tam]

Blacker's sentence right here sums it up "The Black experience isn't only negative stuff!!! Dayum, why can't this person understand that we're more than the things shown on CNN?" Ain't nobody trying to something that they can never be. We're black and there's no changing that. How can it be fantasy if we're living it...that seems like reality to me. What a silly, silly young man.

[Tiffany In Houston]

I swear I love the foolywang (I forgot who deserves credit for this one) and fucknuttery (Roz Holcomb 2008) that arrives in your inbox on the daily!!!

Thank you village idiot!!!!!! LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!

[missmo1984]

LMAO (really) @ monnie's response, I feel that comment is coming from someone uneducated. Someone who really havent been exposed to enough. Someone who must not know NORMAL BLACK people living in AMERICA. Sorry for her or him, they will always walk around thinking they have the short end of the stick in life......KNOWLEGE is a POWERFUL ingredient..and from the last time I checked having a white husband didn't change the color of your skin....hmph..the audacity! I bet this person will be on your blogg 24-7 now.

[SingLikeSassy]

Well there you have it. Ignant is as ignant does.

[Nicole]

I am far from wealthy, but I'm going to really need for people to stop equating "poor/struggling" with "black". The two are not synonymous.

Maybe the emailer needs to broaden his/her horizons instead of trying to limit everyone else's.

[tanyetta]

Sorry! I can't make a comment right now because my son's driver just arrived to take him to his prestigious private school located in the hills of milk and honey and my live in maid needs me to leave so she can make it do what it do in this mansion. My husband just summoned, we have to leave now! Our private jet is all ready to take off.

[Beloved]

"...you and the people that comment are fooling yourselves if you think you're living the black experience..."

I was born black, I live black, I am going to die black. THAT IS MY BLACK EXPERIENCE!!!!

*my head just started to throb on the right side*

[Queeny20]

Thanks I am all packed and ready to go. The driver will be picking me up shortly. Maybe we can jet over to Paris real quick and do some shopping as well. Toodles. Q

[Brandi]

I don't know many people that enjoyed nor agreed with the depiction of Blacks in America. Most of my friends felt like CNN missed the mark with that one. This dude is a total azz.

[Sheena]

Jennifer said it all "Hi Haters"!!!

[T]

Buffonery at its best. The friggin nerve of this person, great response SIP/Monica. You handle it better than me, Robby is hilarious!

[Ted]

I just love how the commenter doesn't equate success with the Black experience. I guess 50 Cent with his private planes and maids and $300K cars and big booty video chicks is more Black than the college-educated, Spike Lee-interning, suburbian Black woman who found real love.

All proof that the CNN special didn't accomplish all that it could have.

[Blacker]

On some level, I get what the person is saying. I do, but the tone ticked me off. The Black experience isn't only negative stuff!!! Dayum, why can't this person understand that we're more than the things shown on CNN?

For his or her information, we aren't lying about our lifestyles. I sip wine wearing a tiara! I'm heading to a mid-day nice lunch downtown! And what? Black people do get married. We do have good credit. Black people manage not to birth a bunch of kids we can't take care of. Black men do manage to stay out of jail. All those negative things CNN showed aren't Black cultural norms. They are norms of any dysfunctional group.

I'm not going to apologize for my degrees, self-sufficiency, and thoughtful decision making. Nor am I going to sit around acting like I'm special. ALL of those people shown on that CNN special are where they are because of the thoughtLESS decisions they made and continue to make.

Another thing, how the fug is random YouTuber going to say YOU married Robby because you have negative thoughts about Black men? If they read your site, they'd know that's not the case.

[oneblackman]

LMAO!!

@ Robby - "You gots to Chill"

[Jennifer]

WOW! you handle that well I thought for sho you would of went postal on the person. I guess they just mad, HI HATERS!!!

[tiff]

LMAO. Good comeback. In fact, just in case the person who wrote that nonsense to you is reading this, I'm so rich this comment isn't even from me, it's from my personal assistant......