O no-no's: ten things black people shouldn't do to celebrate Obama's victory

Chill... 10. No uncontrollable giggling. 9. No naming babies "Barack" or "Obama" or any mash-up of his name. 8. No changing your e-mail to [email protected] 7. No smugly walking up to white people and saying, "Boo-Yah!" 6. There will be no "Hustle," "Running Man," "'Electric Slide" or dances inspired by...

By Michael Roberts

November 5, 2008

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Chill...

10. No uncontrollable giggling. 9. No naming babies "Barack" or "Obama" or any mash-up of his name. 8. No changing your e-mail to [email protected] 7. No smugly walking up to white people and saying, "Boo-Yah!" 6. There will be no "Hustle," "Running Man," "'Electric Slide" or dances inspired by Soulja Boy. 5. No Negro Spirituals or suggestions to change the National Anthem to "Lift E’vry Voice and Sing." 4. No quoting Wesley Snipes from the movie Passenger 57 -- the part when he said, "See? I told you. Always bet on black." 3. No taking a day off from work... this isn't a holiday! 2. Do not refer to the president-elect as “My Nigga." 1. And no expecting that forty acres and a mule. -- Elena Brown

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Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

Contact: Michael Roberts

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