colin powell is my problematic fave: you're fucking wrong. which is okay. so admit that and do better.

what is a problematic fave?

problematic: "frequently used in progressive political settings among White People of a Certain Education to avoid using herd-frightening words like "racist" or "sexist.""

alternative definition:

 "A blanket term that describes any action that upholds a system of oppression for any oppressed groups. Most commonly used in social justice communities."

*note: these definitions come from Urban Dictionary because this concept was created (if not created, popularized) by (white) Tumblr 'social justice bloggers'.

who is colin powell? 
my childhood crush, first black secretary of state (cool!) under Bush (oh.).

a few facts about colin powell:
1)  son of Jamaican immigrants
2) raised in the South Bronx.
3)"...member of the Board of Trustees of Howard University, and of the Board of Directors of the United Negro College Fund. He serves on the Board of Governors of The Boys & Girls Clubs of America and is a member of the Advisory Board of the Children's Health Fund."
4) supports affirmative action.

a few more facts about colin powell:
1) was avid supporter of "don't ask, don't tell" 

• (on sexual orientation) "'behavioral characteristic' that could undermine military order and discipline"

2) donated the max. amount allowed for one person to give in a primary election (2007) to john mccain.

3) "ronald reagan was a father figure to me, george bush an older brother..." - Colin Powell

so...the discrepancy between fact set 1 and fact set 2 kind of explains his 'problematic-ness' (i don't think that very many blacks raised in south bronx (the birthplace of hip-hop) would be able to identify ronald reagan as their "father figure.)

you're fucking wrong. which is okay. so admit that and do better. (why i respect colin powell in spite of his obviously flawed ideology) 

1) gay rights

• moved to re-peal the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy that he originally endorsed.
• 2010: "Attitudes and circumstances have changed..."
• while i don't agree with his justification for his state ideology, HE ADMITTED THAT MAYBE HE WAS WRONG AND INSTEAD OF CONTINUING TO SUPPORT THIS OBVIOUSLY FLAWED POLICY, HE (more or less...probably less) BEGAN TO ENDORSE THE IDEA THAT MAYBE, JUST MAYBE, GAY INDIVIDUALS SHOULD NOT BE DISCRIMINATED AGAINST EITHER.

2) after (economically) propping up John McCain in the 2007 primaries, HE OPENLY ENDORSED BARACK OBAMA IN THE 2008 & 2012 ELECTION.

3) he (more or less) told rush limbaugh to shut the fuck up.

• "Can we continue to listen to Rush Limbaugh?" Powell asked. "Is this really the kind of party that we want to be when these kinds of spokespersons seem to appeal to our lesser instincts rather than our better instincts?"

point being: 

colin powell has said and done some very stupid shit, however, when he realizes that something he has said or done is stupid, he acknowledges that and ceases and desists that behavior. 

if you realize that something you're saying/doing is stupid...stop saying/doing it. don't knowingly propagate ignorance, hate, or mis-information just because it hurts your ego to admit that you were wrong.