Why I named my blog what I named my blog.

In the words of the late James Brown, I’m Black and I’m proud. Never mistake that. In coming up with the name for this blog I had concerns that some would take it not as the play on words that it is intended to be. I’m a political moderate that just so happens to be a Black man. In no way am I someone who wants to downplay my Blackness (as if that is even possible).


The title also connects to an inside joke that I have had with friends from those occasions when friendly non-Black (read: white) people have given me and other African Americans the backhanded compliment that I am, by some means, a different kind of Black person, a novelty of sorts (imagine that). The fact that they possibly could have found me non-threatening, not ostensibly hostile, articulate, lucid, approachable and capable of having a rapport with has moved quite a few to feel beholden enough to lionize me with blandishments that would set me apart from my African American ruffian contemporaries. The look on James' face (to the right) is very close to the one that generally falls across my mug when I hear such blather.

The term ‘in moderation’ also corresponds to my belief that African Americans, nor anyone else, has to be monolithic in their beliefs, thoughts, actions or opinions. It’s not about being on the right, left or center. It is not about being liberal, conservative, democrat or republican. I’m not someone with a disdain for labels, I’m too far opposed to political correctness to be one of those ‘I hate labels’ kind of a person. I love labels when they are properly applied. The act of severely choosing sides often times locks us into these rigid set of principles and philosophies that only exist to propagandize thought and discourse. In my opinion, it plays a big part into why so many shrink opinion, perspective, and outlook into nothing more than talking points, YouTube clips, and slogans without seeking to develop a more personal and educated view.

If you must label me, I’m deeply in opposition to the far right that I am a more of a left leaning moderate by omission. I vote democrat. I support Barack Obama. That does not mean that I don’t strongly back a slew of conservative causes and positions. I, and only I, reserve the right to define who I am. Don't pigeon-hole me based on some preconceived conception or hypothesis that says because I am Black, male, left leaning, moderate, middle class... whatever, that I should think in a particular, programmed, standard or specific way.