Do you.

Petey Greene was unabashedly proud to be a "nigga". He didn't even bother trying to be someone he was not and did not seek the approval of upwardly mobile blacks or the white establishment. He was Petey. An ex-con turned popular radio and t.v. talk show host. The true definition of a "hood nigga", Petey Greene - although he was a good communicator and could talk with anyone - was especially comfortable around neighborhood folks, which included pimps, pushers, and prostitutes - and they all loved him. But there were many who did not love him. Mainly, the before mentioned upwardly mobile blacks who considered him an embarrassment to black people. They were mortified by Petey's unforgivable "blackness" during a time when many blacks were aiming to fully integrate into the American establishment. They felt then, as many feel today, that his proprietary use of slang in his speech would give the impression that all blacks spoke and acted in this manner and that he perpetuated the stereotypical "nigger" image to whites. Nevermind the fact that Petey frequently spoke out on many issues that severely affected the black community such as racism and government-sponsored oppression. And nevermind the fact that he consistently called out community leaders who did not have the "community's" best interest at heart. He was just too God-damned black. For all his personal issues, and he had quite a few, Petey did the best he could to uplift his people. He was greatly responsible for bringing a burning Washington, D.C. back to calm during the riots after M.L.K.'s death. He started community organizations and consistently used his radio and tv platform to highlight issues and speak with community leaders. Yet he was still berated and despised by many for his anti-establishment demeanor and his refusal to assimilate as many blacks leaders at the time preached.

It's hard for me to imagine why many races, especially Blacks - since I am, are so embarrassed by their less sophisticated, "country" cousins - so to speak. Everyone's life experience is different and not all are raised in the same manner with the same etiquette. We seem to live in fear that others will look down upon us for reveling in our culture, when we should realize that some will have an opinion of you, of us, no matter what we accomplish. Blacks did not come up with the slur 'white trash', whites did. Many whites use this term to describe their less sophisticated brothers and sisters. We all have way more in common than anyone would like to admit. And even though our inter-racial differences wont disappear anytime soon, I personally thank Hip-hop for helping my generation understand each other a little better. Petey Greene was, in a sense, a version of Hip-hop in his generation. Brash, insightful, embarrassing, and revolutionary - he made you pay attention.

Go check out the bio-pic of Petey Greene 'Talk To Me' featuring Don Cheadle. And right now, check out a clip from Petey's tv show 'Petey Greene's Washington', as he shows how to properly eat watermelon. And before you start thinking you're about to see coonish behavior at its finest, keep in mind that Petey's mantra was "be yourself". Stop frontin', and be yourself. Do you.