I am a voracious reader of the St. Louis American and I mostly enjoy Partyline, but your recent article on India.Arie’s concert on the Levee was less than copacetic. I’ve discovered through social education of other African Americans, we have become our own enemies. To refer to black folks as roaches and other derogatory terminology is a reflection of self-hate and should not be allowed in print in a newspaper that caters to African Americans. I appreciate that some sponsors had the creativity to invite India.Arie and was most delighted that she accepted the invitation. She flew into St. Louis and energetically performed 85 minutes during a heat advisory warning to bring jubilance to an audience whose faces mirrored hers. This type of “Uncle Remus” (courtesy of Boondocks) mentality is exactly what is “spreading like roaches” (discourtesy of STL American). Sincerely,
A Positive-Spirited Black Woman – Alli