It takes a lot to get me riled up, but attempt to bring down something positive and I’m good to go.
I was checking out my favorite reads via Google Reader (which I haven’t done in a while and should explain why I haven’t been commenting on your sites) and I see that the Young Black Professional Guide mentioned Concrete Loop as being named one of Time’s Top 50 Websites of 2008.
According to YBP:
Some notables on this year’s list include a Black blog called Concrete Loop. Yet ANOTHER gossip celebrity blog (which I secretly wish would all die slow and painful deaths), this site has a MTV-esque style that highlights what a lot of Black celebrities are doing, wearing, sleeping with, pouring champagne on, fathering children with, and all-around crap that doesn’t really matter but is oh-so-juicy.
I left a comment, but it was quickly moderated. I don’t think I was rude or anything, but you be the judge:
I’ve frequented YBP for a while now and have always thought highly of it until I read this post.
Yes, Concrete Loop is considered a gossip site, but it’s so much more: “In addition to the usual paparazzi shots and rumors, you’ll find posts on fashion and politics.”
Each Thursday, we feature a Black History Spotlight that honors black people who have played pivotal roles in history that many have never heard of because the “black history” we’re taught in school is generally regarded to two key time periods: slavery and the Civil Rights Movement.
We have regular news and political roundups that inform our readers on things other than “what a lot of Black celebrities are doing, wearing, sleeping with, pouring champagne on, fathering children with, and all-around crap that doesn’t really matter but is oh-so-juicy”.
Earlier this year, following the news of Haiti’s poorest being forced to eat dirt cookies, we published the story and our readers contacted an organization that supports economic justice, democracy and sustainable development in Haiti. According to the head of the organization, it received almost 15 times the number of emails and donations than they typically receive.
So, yes, we may be considered a gossip site. But we’re so much more.
Black people, we’re our own worst enemies.
Instead of attempting to elevate each other to a new level, we would prefer to hinder success and growth and rant about being held down by “the man”. How about you take responsibility for your actions and try your hardest to stand up?! And when you do, help those around you who need it.
Nobody can control the color of their skin, but they can control their actions and ways of thinking.
I never would have expected to read something so negative about another black blog on YBP. I guess the fake ones always show their true colors in the end, though.
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9 Comments
Dude. No need to name-call. It wasn’t moderated. I’ve got the caching joint on and it doesn’t come up right away.
I responded to you below. I respect your opinion just as much as I’d hope you’d respect my facetious one.
Minus the personal attacks, we’ve both got our lanes. As stated, not mad at you.
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You’re right, man, that was both premature and a bit immature.
I understand where you’re coming from and I definitely respect your opinion. But I took extreme offense to that description of Concrete Loop.
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Glad we’re good.
Side note. I need to get on Twitter. Seems all the YBP’s are doing it.
Picture me bandwagonnin’ it. Lol.
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Yeah, you need to get with it.
I was a bit apprehensive about signing up because so many other social networking sites have fallen by the wayside, but there’s something special about Twitter.
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Hey J., just got your email from a longgggggg time ago about the shirt. Apparently it got sent to the spam folder. Anywho, hit me at my personal email and we’ll discuss - kennard.lilly(at)gmail.com. Much love.
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I agree, man. Sometimes our people are our worse enemy. But that’s not gonna stop the movement especially when the loop is getting recognition by Time Magazine, which means even more recognition on top of that one. Perhaps they are bitter because their site wasn’t recognized. CL is truly one of a kind. Celebrities are even reading it. People fail to realize that sites like Concrete Loop was created for us because there was nothing else before it on the net that reached out to the community.
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Yeah, you can’t let any negativity keep you down. Gotta keep it pushin’.
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Well, I love Concrete Loop for it’s variety. J., you’ve been a great asset and have added so much to the content on CL, and all the readers know that - so whether your getting riled up was merited or not (lol) - you’re doing your thing!!!!
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I sincerely appreciate those kind words, Becca.
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Your comment was straight to the point, alot of times when people in general get upset they like to base their opinion on feelings; you didn’t. You gave him more than 3 reasons as to why Concrete Loop is not just a gossip site that should slowly die! Kudos to you!!
I love this!!!
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Thanks, Danielle.
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I do not necessarily find the comment made by YBP to be negative. I mean it is a valid, although incomplete, analysis of concreteloop. Concreteloop probably would not have as many viewers from the beginning had it not posted on these “juicy” topics. I have been an avid reader since ‘06 and to be honest, the black celebrity gossip aspect as well as the fashion caught my attention and I think many avid readers will say that. However, concreteloop has evolved from just an ordinary gossip blog. It has broadened its horizons and fan-base with the political round-ups, spotlights on entrepreneurs, and black history posts that are very commendable. Nevertheless, at the end of the day the posts about the “juicy” gossip gets the most comments and to retain the attention of some of its readers, feeding that insatiable appetite for gossip is what will keep the hits coming.
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Yeah, I feel you, JMarie.
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Hmmm I’m not sure if JUICY is the right word. The LOOP is one of the most respectful sites around. They do not beat celebrities up or degrade. They keep you informed however, it’s not as negative as some of the others. Juicy tidbits and scandals…I think not….Fashion, and News…quite PG actually that’s why we love the Loop.
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Glad to hear it!
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Maybe the problem is more so that we can’t take a little constructive criticism or disagreeing opinions in our lives. Blogs can’t put themselves out there without being subject to someone else’s opinion. Gotta learn to brush it off and not take things personally. Some people care about celebrities, some people don’t. Simple as that. And a blog is exactly the avenue where a person can express their own opinion about the matter. To get all worked up over one person’s opinion is just silly…
And to name call about it is very (as you stated) immature.
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yeah thats definitely a good look. I saw CL in the Uptown Mag as well.
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