I recognize that this thread-and Mudcat itself-is definitely not the Azizi show. Some folks may think that I'm trying to focus attention on myself, but I feel the need to say what I'm going to say. So spite of the possibility of negative responses, here goes:

First, let me say this:

meself, I understood the intent of your 19 Apr 07 - 04:54 PM comment.

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Bert, thanks for your support as noted in your 20 Apr 07 - 12:30 AM post

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meself, with regard to your 19 Apr 07 - 10:59 PM post, I agree.

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Peace, [here's an example of my Virgo nit picking-you introduced Bert to someone who isn't posting on this thread.
You said "memyself" when actually the poster's name is "meself". I've been prone to make the same mistake, so I've taken to copying his {or her} name from a post to make sure I'm spelling it right.

And as for Bert and you calling folks "honkies", better you both than me :o}

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Now I'd like to comment about Bert's statement that I'm not a racist because if I were I wouldn't be on Mudcat sharing my culture:

I don't believe that I'm a racist. However, it's possible for a person who is Black to be a racist and still share their culture with non-Black people. Those two aren't mutually exclusive. I think the determining factors are why & how a person shares her or his culture with others.

Besides, sharing information about their cultures is what Mudcatters do.

It's true that I talk about race a lot on Mudcat. I believe that if there were more Black people who post here, I wouldn't have to mention race as much as I do.

Not too long ago, I received a pm from someone who said that s/he is Black but never mentions that fact on Mudcat. I regret that, but I can't walk in another person's shoes.

But-for the record-there have been numerous occassions on Mudcat in which I've learned something about African American culture from non-African American people. For example, if you're interested, see this thread thread.cfm?threadid=78209#1402189
Feelin The Blues

Also, there have been a number of times in which I've posted comments and started threads that have nothing what so ever to do with race or ethnicity. For example, if you're interested see my all time favorite Mudcat thread thread.cfm?threadid=87517 BS: Sponge Bob dead on Xmas eve

And here's two more examples of my starting threads and posting comments that don't refer to race/ethnicity:
thread.cfm?threadid=92459&messages=509 BS: Name That Mudcatter; and
thread.cfm?threadid=80317#1461814 BS: Lucky Charms

But more to the point of why I post on Mudcat, I do so because I like to do so. I like to express myself. And I like to be around people who are often considerate, interesting, and witty. I post on Mudcat because I like being around folks who are intelligent, intellectually stimulating, and eclectic. Of course, I believe that I share all of these positive descriptors. :o)

I post on Mudcat because I love exchanging information with and learning from people who share the same or similar interests with me {such as an interest in the origins & meanings of words and the source materials for songs}.

I post on Mudcat because I choose to.

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I apologize for the length of this post.

Best wishes to all and to all a good day.

Azizi