Tuesday
Jan012008
Good Bye 2007 - I've Had the Time of My Life!
Tuesday, January 1, 2008 at 12:01AM The Blogmother
The truth is that you and your site will likely be forgotten in about a week and fade back into obscurity.
As the year winds down, I find myself nearly to tears (I'm not a crier) because I want to just freeze 2007 in time and stay right here forever. I have been in a hurry my entire life. When I was 4, I wanted to be 5. When I was in elementary school I wanted to be in middle school. When I was in high school I couldn't wait to get out of my hometown and as I packed up my dorm room in college, I left and didn't look back. I was always focused on the “ONE DAY WHEN I FINALLY.” I was always headed on to bigger and better things. Well I can't imagine how anything could be bigger or better than the experience I have had with each and every one of you this year, including the critics.
I started this blog eight months ago with a simple question: Is there anybody else out there? It was a distress beacon put out online. I had no idea if anyone would hear it. I had no idea if anyone would care about what I had to say. I really didn't want to say anything. If I had known what was going to happen, I probably would not have started down the road.
I have truly had the time of my life and I want to thank all of you . I want to thank my lurkers. Those of you who come on here at all hours of the day and night and read and read and read and never say anything. I poke at y'all, but anytime I am in a crunch, y'all come through for me. There are so many of you whose names none of the other readers know who have hit up that donate button or forwarded an article, or just sent a word of encouragement. Some of you even took time out of busy schedules to go demonstrate on the streets of Ft. Worth, Austin, and D.C. You listen to the podcast, you buy those T-shirts and you don't ask for anything in return.
I want to thank all of the guests who agreed to come on my podcast. Especially those of you who came on loong before a controversy about a certain show on a certain network. All you knew was that I was a soul trying to do some good in the world and you invested your very valuable time. I want to thank my commentators and contributors, you keep me on my toes, challenge my ideas and make each other better. Plus y'all entertain me to no end.
I want to thank those who slandered and libeled me. There was a time when I would have crumbled under the relentless onslaught, but you have given me a gift and cured me of a fear of criticism. I want to thank all of you who participated in Sharpton Watch. I was just joking but y'all took me seriously and thus caused me to take myself more seriously. I want to thank D.L. Hughley for being a buffoon. Had he not gone on the Tonight Show and savaged the women of Rutgers AGAIN, I would never have been doing the research leading to my discovery of THAT NETWORK's plan for their fall lineup. I want to thank the commentator who brought up the Dunbar Village crime during a time when I was still in shock by what had happened there. She forced us to look this horror directly in the face and I could not turn away.
I have no idea what lies ahead in 2008, but one thing I hope we all know now is that we are not alone. We are not powerless. The challenges we face are not insurmountable. Now that we've found each other, I can't imagine what we can't do together.
2007- You were a very very good year!
Jam Donaldson, Creator of “Hot Ghetto Mess”, WAOD Comments, July 31, 2007
As the year winds down, I find myself nearly to tears (I'm not a crier) because I want to just freeze 2007 in time and stay right here forever. I have been in a hurry my entire life. When I was 4, I wanted to be 5. When I was in elementary school I wanted to be in middle school. When I was in high school I couldn't wait to get out of my hometown and as I packed up my dorm room in college, I left and didn't look back. I was always focused on the “ONE DAY WHEN I FINALLY.” I was always headed on to bigger and better things. Well I can't imagine how anything could be bigger or better than the experience I have had with each and every one of you this year, including the critics.
I started this blog eight months ago with a simple question: Is there anybody else out there? It was a distress beacon put out online. I had no idea if anyone would hear it. I had no idea if anyone would care about what I had to say. I really didn't want to say anything. If I had known what was going to happen, I probably would not have started down the road.
I have truly had the time of my life and I want to thank all of you . I want to thank my lurkers. Those of you who come on here at all hours of the day and night and read and read and read and never say anything. I poke at y'all, but anytime I am in a crunch, y'all come through for me. There are so many of you whose names none of the other readers know who have hit up that donate button or forwarded an article, or just sent a word of encouragement. Some of you even took time out of busy schedules to go demonstrate on the streets of Ft. Worth, Austin, and D.C. You listen to the podcast, you buy those T-shirts and you don't ask for anything in return.
I want to thank all of the guests who agreed to come on my podcast. Especially those of you who came on loong before a controversy about a certain show on a certain network. All you knew was that I was a soul trying to do some good in the world and you invested your very valuable time. I want to thank my commentators and contributors, you keep me on my toes, challenge my ideas and make each other better. Plus y'all entertain me to no end.
I want to thank those who slandered and libeled me. There was a time when I would have crumbled under the relentless onslaught, but you have given me a gift and cured me of a fear of criticism. I want to thank all of you who participated in Sharpton Watch. I was just joking but y'all took me seriously and thus caused me to take myself more seriously. I want to thank D.L. Hughley for being a buffoon. Had he not gone on the Tonight Show and savaged the women of Rutgers AGAIN, I would never have been doing the research leading to my discovery of THAT NETWORK's plan for their fall lineup. I want to thank the commentator who brought up the Dunbar Village crime during a time when I was still in shock by what had happened there. She forced us to look this horror directly in the face and I could not turn away.
I have no idea what lies ahead in 2008, but one thing I hope we all know now is that we are not alone. We are not powerless. The challenges we face are not insurmountable. Now that we've found each other, I can't imagine what we can't do together.
2007- You were a very very good year!
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Reader Comments (21)
Happy New Year,
2007 was not a good year for me...but I am pinning my hopes on 2008.
On the blogging front...One positive was seeing WAOD come along. Too many Black women are still asleep unfortunately.
and oh yeah...I am still waiting on that item Gina... (part 3). I actually wanted to get that up by New Years Day... But now I am shooting for the first week of the New Year.
Have a good one..
Well Gina, as one who "met" you before you blew up, let me be one of the first to wish you a very happy and blessed 2008!
You and your contributors did a great job with WAOD in 2007 and I wish you all the best in 2008!
You know the craziest thing, I often wonder about that early crew of folks who were the true believers back in the day when I didn't believe myself. i was just taking things as they came to me, but my readers would push me further and further along and we seemed to roll from unexpected "victory " to the next. Sometimes I think of hunting folks down. I have been working on a book about the past year and going back and reading the comments has made me nostalgic. I don't hear from those folks as much anymore, but I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for them. Stop by more often
AI I sent you your questions. If you dont hear back from me in 24 hours then that means I COMPLETELY FORGOT!
AI you always have to bring the dark cloud. Yes too many black women are still asleep, but together we can wake them up . just wait until you see what is in store for 2008.
I know you are going to put up a widget on your blog so you can come to Blogging While brown. you are my blogging God Father.
HAPPY NEW YEAR, GINA!!!!
Happy New Year, Gina!
No need to freeze 2007, because 2008 is going to be even better. I FEEL it.
Happy New Year, everyone! 2007 was a turning point for me -- it was definitely a year of rest, meditation, and renewal.
But all that's over now. I'm ready to rumble.
Gina...you are the blessing! THANK YOU! Happy New Year.
Happy New Year, Gina. 2007 was also a turning point for me thanks to (first the ....folks.. who shocked me into awakening then) you and others who gave me a direction for my energy and hopes.
Oh my.
I am relatively new to the blogosphere, a little over three months. Had heard about this blog from listening to a show on NPR; so was familiar with your prior issue with Hot Ghetto Mess, but had never read the older posts or comments on the matter.
Last month for the first time, I read the blog attached to Jam's website and left a few comments (long, perhaps blistering, but heartfelt nonetheless) regarding the use of children's pictures on her website. My comments were a little late after the date of her post, titled something to the effect of 'Am I a Hypocrite'? Don't know if she's a hypocrite, but I emphatically disagree with the use of pictures of children depicted in a sexually exploitative manner.
She actually questioned whether or not I was you, Gina. I let her know that I was not. I enjoy this blog and others, but I do not know you; so I hope there was no backlash on you from the Blog gods.
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year from one of your Lurkers!!
Thanks to your blog, I stepped out of my comfort zone, and made a conscious decision to help in the fight for "our daughters". You may never see or hear me, but I am one of those "lurking" in the back to help improve life for future generations
"The truth is that you and your site will likely be forgotten in about a week and fade back into obscurity. " HA! I guess their scare tactics failed miserably...Gina & Co are doing a fantastic job!..I can't wait for the next podcast....Anyway, everyone have a PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR OF CHANGE!
http://thecwexperience.wordpress.com
Happy New Year, WAOD! Like Angry, 2007 was not my best year, but I am looking forward to 2008 and what it will bring. May God be praised!
Every time I come here I am amazed and shocked and disturbed. This is a GOOD THING. This site is a GOOD THING. Here's to you and 2008and much more of this GOOD THING!
Gina, I am always here, always reading your words, and always inspired by your work. Count me as a friend for life. Happy New Year!
Congratulations on all your success!!! Your blog truly, for me, is a testament to keep it moving. To keep fighting and writing about what I believe in. I love your blog and I can't wait to see what happens in 2008.
Miss Gina,
Congratulations on your success! I discovered your show via iTunes about two months ago, and I've been hooked ever since.
I'm also a fan of Professor Tracey's, SheCodes', Randi's and AttorneyMom's blogs too, thanks to you.
Being in Southern Indiana, I've not had very much interaction with black people, especially black females. So I love tuning in and reading the blogs.
Keep up the great, positive work!
Happy New Year Gina. I discovered your blog last summer. Just wanted to tell you you're doing a great job.
Gina,
Thanks for caring. Thanks for loving. Thanks for speaking truth to power. Thanks for being relentless. Thanks for being authentic. Thanks for being bold and fearless...not whimpering...not cowering...not running...not hiding. Thanks for saying No More! No More! Enough! Enough! Thanks for providing a platform for others. Thanks for showing off sisterhood! Thanks for displaying righteous anger. Thanks for taking action and encouraging/challenging us to do the same. Thanks for taking care of the details.
Choicest Blessings to you and yours in 2008 and beyond!
Happy New Year Gina,
What would we do without you and the powerful conversation(s)you lead? You and your sister bloggers have become my source for the real deal. Thanks for not ceasing to report on Dunbar Village. Thanks for caring about us. Thanks for providing a forum for sisters and brothers to discuss what's really relevant. I am ever encouraged by your boldness and fearlessness.
May 2008 be your best year EVER!
Choicest Blessings,
Happy New Years Gina and the WAOD contributers!
Thank you so much for creating the WAOD weblog.
I have been listening to your itunes podcasts over the last several months and it has encouraged and empowered me in ways I didn't expect.
Just to be able to say loudly.."this isn't right, these images on tv and in the media do not represent me" Is something new...so I feel empowered.
Thank You Again and wishing you and the contributers a very blessed 2008 *hugs*