Happy Belated New Year, HATERS!
My New Years resolution to you good HATERS, this year, is to bring you more news, pop culture and global happenings to talk about openly, dissect and rationalize and most importantly HATE On. I also resolve to do this more often.
So, as the first post of 2010, let’s jump right in…
SEPTA… Yup, they’re hiking up your fares
Oh, SEPTA
Philadelphia riders beware; you will see an increase in fares starting in July.
I predicted this in early November 2009, when SEPTA Transport Workers Union Local 234 went on strike (see SEPTA and the City of Philadelphia: HATIN’ Because They Deserve It), and sadly, it has come to fruition.
In the January 13, 2010 edition of the Philadelphia Metro, they alert riders that they may experience an increase anywhere between 2 and 10 percent. This means “base fares could go from $2.00 to $2.25, tokens from $1.45 to $1.60 and weekly TransPasses from the current $20.75 to $22.75.”
It doesn’t seem like much, but in the grand scheme of things, Philadelphia riders are paying more for the same lousy service; especially when we just endured a large fare hike less than three years ago.
The paper also details, “On the positive side, SEPTA riders could also get a glimpse of the long-awaited new payment technology and new Silverliner V cars on the Regional Rail.”
So, let me get this straight. I have to pay higher fares for the same lackluster services, but as a thank you, SEPTA, the organization, will pay for new machines and technology that makes it easier for me to pay them? Now, who wouldn’t want a deal like that?
Are they serious?
I’m HATIN’
People of Philadelphia, we have been taken advantage of, for far too long, when it comes to our detestable transit system and it’s time that we do something about it. Contact your local ward leaders, councilman and even the Mayor. Hold them accountable for fixing this reoccurring issue. If they refuse to cap the fares, STRIKE. We hold the POWER. Without riders, SEPTA cannot exist or stay operating.
HATE on Them!
What ever happened to Black History Month?
It’s February, and as an African-American woman, I have strong concerns over the lack of acknowledgement of Black History Month.
I remember, growing up, that Black History Month was a month of pride in the African-American community, especially in the churches. There were activities, plays and seminars/symposiums at community centers throughout the city, and even the suburbs where I resided, that brought together black people from all over and allowed us to celebrate our unique and distinct heritage.
In school, teachers made it a point to highlight the achievements of African-American pioneers, expecting more from black children during this month, to tell all students, of all different races, about what they knew about their own ancestors.
I can’t tell you how many times I dressed up as a former African-American leader and recited speeches and poems about their particular influence in history. As a young Nefertiti or Madam C.J. Walker, we were to exude and appropriately imitate these people of the past.
What happened to the appreciation of Black History Month?
Today, I see no REAL attempt by the African-American community; churches, retailers and afro-centric organizations alike, in retelling and celebrating our history.
Am I just out of the loop, or has commercialization of the holiday/month, in effect, let blacks off the hook from actually having to educate their own, about black history?
When McDonalds and other such corporations, attempt to popularize Black History Month, does it actually take away from the celebration, as opposed to enhancing it?
It’s like Valentines Day. Original intent of the highly debatable holiday aside, it is celebrated as a “Day of Love.” So why is it that so many people dread Valentine’s Day? Maybe it’s because businesses tried and successfully made this holiday about buying expensive gifts. Have businesses also “de-blacked” or inundated Black History Month?
I’m HATIN’
I believe that Black History Month is 365 days a year, but I also believe that this month signifies celebration of African American achievements, past and present, and should be honored.
Let’s Do Better!
Award Shows… No Longer Necessary
It’s award show season, where the best and brightest (based on popularity, not wits) stars are honored for their work in music and film, for the past year.
Please let me be the first to say that I’m HATIN’ on award shows and deem them no longer necessary.
It may just be me, but the award show format has not changed since its humble beginnings. It’s still a three hour show (that’s supposed to be 2 hours), where actors and artists are named and then given an award, followed by a super, long speech and the ushering of music to get them off the stage.
Each year, just to keep people interested, the organizations hosting such shows/events must come up with newsworthy distractions to keep the audience engaged. Kanye West, anyone?
Would you have remembered the MTV movie awards without Mr. West and his antics? Can someone tell me one big, standout moment at this years Grammy’s? Most likely, your answer is NO.
Lack of interest aside, the popularity of social networking sites has made it too easy to not care about award shows because celebrities are tweeting, posting pictures and adding videos directly from the awards, providing more entertainment than any network could possibly offer.
Mark my words, we may soon be saying goodbye to “award show season.”
My New Years resolution to you good HATERS, this year, is to bring you more news, pop culture and global happenings to talk about openly, dissect and rationalize and most importantly HATE On. I also resolve to do this more often.
So, as the first post of 2010, let’s jump right in…
SEPTA… Yup, they’re hiking up your fares
Oh, SEPTA
Philadelphia riders beware; you will see an increase in fares starting in July.
I predicted this in early November 2009, when SEPTA Transport Workers Union Local 234 went on strike (see SEPTA and the City of Philadelphia: HATIN’ Because They Deserve It), and sadly, it has come to fruition.
In the January 13, 2010 edition of the Philadelphia Metro, they alert riders that they may experience an increase anywhere between 2 and 10 percent. This means “base fares could go from $2.00 to $2.25, tokens from $1.45 to $1.60 and weekly TransPasses from the current $20.75 to $22.75.”
It doesn’t seem like much, but in the grand scheme of things, Philadelphia riders are paying more for the same lousy service; especially when we just endured a large fare hike less than three years ago.
The paper also details, “On the positive side, SEPTA riders could also get a glimpse of the long-awaited new payment technology and new Silverliner V cars on the Regional Rail.”
So, let me get this straight. I have to pay higher fares for the same lackluster services, but as a thank you, SEPTA, the organization, will pay for new machines and technology that makes it easier for me to pay them? Now, who wouldn’t want a deal like that?
Are they serious?
I’m HATIN’
People of Philadelphia, we have been taken advantage of, for far too long, when it comes to our detestable transit system and it’s time that we do something about it. Contact your local ward leaders, councilman and even the Mayor. Hold them accountable for fixing this reoccurring issue. If they refuse to cap the fares, STRIKE. We hold the POWER. Without riders, SEPTA cannot exist or stay operating.
HATE on Them!
What ever happened to Black History Month?
It’s February, and as an African-American woman, I have strong concerns over the lack of acknowledgement of Black History Month.
I remember, growing up, that Black History Month was a month of pride in the African-American community, especially in the churches. There were activities, plays and seminars/symposiums at community centers throughout the city, and even the suburbs where I resided, that brought together black people from all over and allowed us to celebrate our unique and distinct heritage.
In school, teachers made it a point to highlight the achievements of African-American pioneers, expecting more from black children during this month, to tell all students, of all different races, about what they knew about their own ancestors.
I can’t tell you how many times I dressed up as a former African-American leader and recited speeches and poems about their particular influence in history. As a young Nefertiti or Madam C.J. Walker, we were to exude and appropriately imitate these people of the past.
What happened to the appreciation of Black History Month?
Today, I see no REAL attempt by the African-American community; churches, retailers and afro-centric organizations alike, in retelling and celebrating our history.
Am I just out of the loop, or has commercialization of the holiday/month, in effect, let blacks off the hook from actually having to educate their own, about black history?
When McDonalds and other such corporations, attempt to popularize Black History Month, does it actually take away from the celebration, as opposed to enhancing it?
It’s like Valentines Day. Original intent of the highly debatable holiday aside, it is celebrated as a “Day of Love.” So why is it that so many people dread Valentine’s Day? Maybe it’s because businesses tried and successfully made this holiday about buying expensive gifts. Have businesses also “de-blacked” or inundated Black History Month?
I’m HATIN’
I believe that Black History Month is 365 days a year, but I also believe that this month signifies celebration of African American achievements, past and present, and should be honored.
Let’s Do Better!
Award Shows… No Longer Necessary
It’s award show season, where the best and brightest (based on popularity, not wits) stars are honored for their work in music and film, for the past year.
Please let me be the first to say that I’m HATIN’ on award shows and deem them no longer necessary.
It may just be me, but the award show format has not changed since its humble beginnings. It’s still a three hour show (that’s supposed to be 2 hours), where actors and artists are named and then given an award, followed by a super, long speech and the ushering of music to get them off the stage.
Each year, just to keep people interested, the organizations hosting such shows/events must come up with newsworthy distractions to keep the audience engaged. Kanye West, anyone?
Would you have remembered the MTV movie awards without Mr. West and his antics? Can someone tell me one big, standout moment at this years Grammy’s? Most likely, your answer is NO.
Lack of interest aside, the popularity of social networking sites has made it too easy to not care about award shows because celebrities are tweeting, posting pictures and adding videos directly from the awards, providing more entertainment than any network could possibly offer.
Mark my words, we may soon be saying goodbye to “award show season.”
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