Deena B.

My Comments (741 so far…)

Mr. wOw's Very White Moment

Maggie, your story about the black and white dolls made me remember yet another episode from my youth. When I was about the age of the children you mention, my parents allowed me to choose a doll for myself. I chose a black doll because I thought it was the prettiest. My parents bought me the doll and I loved it very much. I do recall a few neighbors and such being perplexed by a white child playing with a black doll. But my parents (both from the South, by the way) had no qualms about it whatsoever. I love them for that!

Will you take – or are you already taking – advantage of the benefits of being a senior?

I don’t think so. Based on what I remember from my now deceased parents, senior discounts don’t amount to much. In some cases maybe 10%. It will take a lot more than 10% for me to advertise my age. My husband, on the other hand, has no qualms whatsoever - regardless of the amount.

Mr. wOw's Very White Moment

That is the only thing that bothered me just a bit. Why was it necessary to have separate courses in African American studies in the first place? At that time, though, it seemed to me that American History mostly meant white American History. It’s different today. I know this from the school work my daughter does. We definitely need to get past all the labels.

The flip side of my story is from when I was in High School. There was one lone black girl in the entire school. She was a couple of years older than me so I did not know her well. But she was one of the most popular and well liked girls in the the school. She was a a great student, a cheerleader…the works.

Mr. wOw's Very White Moment

When I was in college I took a couple of elective courses in African American studies. I was the only white person in either class. I don’t recall feeling ill at ease at all. A few of my fellow students asked me why I chose to take those particular courses. But they did so in a very friendly manner. I basically just wanted to broaden my horizons a bit. I enjoyed it quite a lot.

Mr. wOw's Very White Moment

S.J., I’m guessing the tone in which the question was asked was as telling as the question itself? It could have been meant either matter-of-factly or in the way you interpreted it. But assuming the caller did mean it in an offensive way, since you did not hear your friend’s reply, maybe you should give him the benefit of the doubt. It is entirely possible that he set the caller straight and did not speak badly about you at all. Maybe the caller was the one with the problem?

Liz Smith: Nothing 'Eternal' Between Madonna and Guy

Someone at GQ was asleep at the wheel for sure. And that is the best case scenario. Very distasteful indeed.

Mr. wOw's Very White Moment

The person I feel most sorry for in this scenario is the neighbor who called the police. I’m sure she is kicking herself for trying to do the right thing.

How generous are you with your own possessions when it comes to your family?

I loaned a few things out when I was very young - clothing, books, etc…. Most of the things I never saw again. Or I had to constantly hound the person to please return the item. Or it came back damaged. So I resolved early on to "neither a borrower nor a lender be".

Living Legend Raquel Welch, by Liz Smith

A couple of sources say she was born Sept. 5, 1940. So she would soon be 70. That’s still a couple of years off from your recollection, but not by much.

The Bodyguard Fad, by Margo Howard

I think I know what you’re saying. Most people seem to react to Sarah Palin in the extreme - one way or the other - something I don’t really "get". Some Sarah Palin admirers are indeed a bit overly sensitive. But…some who despise her cannot resist adding at least a touch of snarkiness whenever they put the words "Sarah" and "Palin" together in a sentence. It would have been possible to connect Levi to Ms. Palin in a matter-of-fact fashion without adding the small dig implying that neither has ever read a book. But few people seem to be able to view Sarah Palin matter-of-factly. Say what one will, she definitely evokes a lot of emotion in the majority of people.

The Bodyguard Fad, by Margo Howard

Precisely!

The Bodyguard Fad, by Margo Howard

Some people who are famous for being famous act like a bigger deal than those who actually are a big deal. My theory is that people who are truly confident and comfortable in their own skins do not feel the need to flaunt themselves in this fashion. Those who do feel that need are, in my opinion, not as sure of themselves as they would have us think.

Moms Battle for Right to Breast-Feed in Public. Tell Us What You Think

I breastfed my daughter for the first year. At that point, she basically weaned herself. She was an extremely healthy baby and child. Her pediatrician used to joke that she had the thinnest file of any of his patients. I’m certain that breastfeeding was a factor. It also promotes an unbelievable bond between mother and child.

But, prior to becoming pregnant, I never thought I would choose to breastfeed. One reason was an older sister-in-law who did so years earlier. She was one of those who just openly whipped it out, as you say, regardless of where she was or who she was with. My husband and I had just begun dating at the time and it could be…awkward. It was a real turn-off for me. But when I decided to go that route, I realized that one can be discreet. Yes, it is a beautiful thing, but I still believe in discretion.

Moms Battle for Right to Breast-Feed in Public. Tell Us What You Think

Andrea, I breastfed my daughter and I would highly recommend it to anyone who possibly can. However, I had no desire to become a spectacle in the process. I cannot think of a single time that I was unable to find a removed location or otherwise situate myself discreetly. Sometimes people can become their own worst enemy.

Doesn't Anyone Care What I Have to Say? by Sybil Adelman Sage

I totally agree that Larry King, and all the others, have missed the boat big time. I have really begun to look forward to the latest from Sybil Sage. Keep ‘em coming!