Urban Art ain't necessarily Black....and Natural Hair doesn't mean you down for a "cause"

Today, while getting my fix of sushi, I had a brief and interesting conversation with a young lady who was getting her order to go.  She had a sketch book and a duffle of art supplies, evident by the pencils and paint brushes that weren't totally secured, which is where I our conversation started.  I asked what does she typically paint, and she responded saying "scenery...mountains, beaches, etc".  She then paused and said sarcastically, "...and 'urban art' too!"  We both laughed.

It seems that critics/society/anyone who has an opinion seems to think that if you're Black, you're "urban".  Well, lets look at the word, "urban".  According to Webster's Dictionary:

urban |ˈərbən|
adjective
1 in, relating to, or characteristic of a city or town : the urban population.
2 (also urban contemporary) denoting or relating to popular dance music of black origin : a party that features the best in urban music.
• denoting popular black culture in general.
ORIGIN early 17th cent.: from Latin urbanus, from urbs, urb- ‘city.’

Hmm..."denoting black culture in general".  I have a problem here.   Just b/c you're Black does not mean all things "Black" relate to you, and vice versa!!!  Besides, has anyone really defined Black Culture?!  If its anything that is defined by the 99.999% of what is heard on the radio, or what is portrayed on TV, then I want no parts of it.  I know Black to mean how I grew up!!  I grew up in the 'burbs of Henrico County, Virginia the furthest thing from urban.  Approximately 45 minutes North, there is Washington D.C., which I would say is urban, and 45 minutes South is Hampton/Norfolk, Newport News, which is urban as well.

Additionally, this same young lady was wearing her hair in a afro puff.  In addition to our brief exchange about misconceptions of Black artists, she touched on the subject of questions and ignorant comments she receives on her hair:  "You're an artist, so a 'natural' fits you", or "Are you African?", or "What is your cause?"  I never knew not wanting to put chemicals in your hair could lead to such a line of questioning and idiotic comments.  My wife has is rocking a 'natural' for almost a year, but you'd never know, because her hair is straight.  People have this thing that if you're different from the norm(al) Black person (or whatever your race creed or gender), you must have a cause that you're down for.....We all aren't the same, hence the different races, religions, shades, hues, hair textures, etc.  We all have different interests, you should know this cause it probably took you an hour at least to go through all the interests while setting up your Facebook account.  Bet if you check your friend's list (half of whom you probably don't know), you'd be surprised to find out there interests are actually some of yours....and you both probably are totally different......


Damn ignorance!!  Think for self!!!