You Have Got To Be Joking...
with Kim Jackson


Normally, I'll make a list and call them my gripes...but this is something different. With a gripe, you have a complaint or disagreement. I am choosing to throw my hands up and just say...you have got to be joking.

1. I had to make an early morning run to the grocery store before work and fell in love with the minimal attendance and as I was leaving to get in my car; I saw it. A woman and her two daughters approaching...and one of her daughters was wearing a nightgown. I understand...you’re in a hurry, but seriously...don't do that to your child. Heck, I would have preferred that you had her put on her clothes from yesterday...I didn't see her then; I wouldn't have known the difference. Fine...it's not my child...but still; you have got to be joking.
2. I posted on my Facebook page; letting my selective group know that I wanted Dorothy Height and Guru to rest in peace. My sister, bless her uninformed heart, posted back, "Who is Dorothy?". Why is it okay for some of our people to get by only knowing three figures in the fight for our civil rights? But I bet they can name and sing every song word from word on 106 & Park. You have got to be joking.
3. I understand it's an information age. Everyone wants to receive their information as quickly as possible. Everything that can be minimized for faster delivery has almost been done. Most specifically, the English language. I don't have to go into the list of acronyms; I'm sure you use them every day. But, what you failize is that if you are the only one using it...it doesn't work. Yes, I said failize. When I heard this; I stopped the person mid-sentence and said, "Excuse me?" and I was given the explanation like I was the one living under a rock. "Failize...you know, fail to realize." Yes, people...failize. I do realize that now that I have put it out there; it may become a part of every day language. But, until then...you have got to be joking.
4. Why is it when you tell people that you're fasting that's when they want to invite you to lunch? I've even had someone that I only somewhat interact with on a daily basis offer me a sundae. I've never been to lunch with this person. I can't even recall us sitting down and drinking a glass of water together. You see, it's one thing to say...I'm dieting. It's a whole other thing to say...I'm fasting. This is a personal spiritual issue and you offer me a sundae? You have got to be joking.