The Name Game

[aka Contrarian]

For anybody who is curious as to why I no longer use my original user name on this forum, why I, who was once known as "Cynique", am now known as  "aka Contrarian", this is the explanation. 

I have been contributing to this discussion forum off and on for over 20 years.

Back in the day, as a retiree who was an aspiring author, its "African American Literary Book Club" title drew me to this site. And having always considered myself to be somewhat of an "iconoclast", I decided I wanted  my avatar to reflect my personality, so I came up with what was a combination of "cynical" and "unique". And the "Cynique" moniker was born, replete with a somewhat devil's advocate persona; always skeptical and a tad sarcastic, - (something which contributed to my ongoing feud with the notorious Kola Boof, a semi-famous drama queen).

Otherwise, with a few innocuous exceptions, over the years, I formed several cherished friendships with people I encountered here and with whom I still keep in touch with on FaceBook. 

 

Anyway, with the passage of time, while others came and went, I remained a long standing member of AALBC, and Troy rewarded my loyalty by naming this site "Cynique's Corner". 

 

As more time passed, however,  I eventually became burnt out and, contrary to the insinuations of some people, I voluntarily decided to go on hiatus, subsequently telling Troy he could drop the "Cynique's Corner title; which he did.

 

With the passage of more time, I finally decided to check back in, but I couldn't log on because I'd forgotten my pass word. When I tried to log on with a new password word, I was unsuccessful, the reason given by the computer being that somebody already had that user name. The fact that the "somebody" was me made things more entangled, and after I contacted Troy, he assigned me a special password to use. That, along with adopting a different user name, enabled me to log back on to the discussion forum, at which time I explained that "aka Contrarian" was the poster formerly known as "Cynique".  Obviously, the word  "contrarian" preserves the cynical essence I originally wanted to convey. 

Only one person ever found this to be a problem. 

Whatever. As Shakespeare once said:

         "What's in a name?

          A rose by any other

          name would smell 

          as sweet."

 

                     It is what it is...

 

And, don't be surprised if that "one person" chimes in with a stream of pictures along with references to flowers and bees and wasps and Cynique this and Dolemita that, yada,yada,yada.

               zzzzzzzzzzzzz

 

                           

 

[Delano]

Inuses to have two logons but I forget the password of both. I can't recall but I think i used a different tone in both. I also had Troy reset my password.

 

I also dont contribute as much as I used. Partially because I am not into trying to convince anyone of anything. Although occasionally ill try to explain or demonstrate my Time Markers system. I am probably only online between 10 - 30 on thus forum and FB. Another few minutes in Instagram if that a week.

[ProfD]

3 hours ago, aka Contrarian said:

I have been contributing to this discussion forum off and on for over 20 years.

 

With the passage of more time, I finally decided to check back in...

I'm glad you decided to return to the forum. I always enjoy your contributions. Keeps this place alive.

 

26 minutes ago, Delano said:

I also dont contribute as much as I used. Partially because I am not into trying to convince anyone of anything. 

Brotha Delano, we have a limited amount of time and bandwidth and have to use it accordingly. So, I appreciate whatever you choose to contribute to the forum.

 

IMO, AALBC is a discussion forum. A virtual coffeehouse where folks banter over various topics. 

 

Dialog does not have to be confrontational or persuasive or combat. Nor do we have to agree on everything or anything. Civility is a low bar and easy to maintain. 

 

Since I believe laughter is medicinal, I prefer a humorous approach. I can usually find  something funny in the most serious subjects. Life is short.

 

@aka Contrarian, that's why I enjoy your posts even as we agree to disagree. I see comedic source material as we go back & forth. Bring the funny.

 

Regular participation on this forum is low but I appreciate each and everyone who chooses to pop in and chop it up.

[Troy]

Of the two names I have a personal preference for “Cynique”  but as Shakespeare said a rose…

 

20 years is a long time the  Kola Boof era seems like a lifetime ago. I don’t think I’ve seen her in a good 10 years and when I did, she seemed perfectly normal  

 

Our discussion forums pre-dated social media; launching around the time of NetNoir. Melanet, Black Planet and other black owned platform— ancient history in terms of the World Wide Web. 
 

It was a period when Black people really enjoyed and we’re proud of using black owned properties. Indeed we were trapped on copy serve in America online constrained by their rules.. the World Wide Web opened up opportunity for Black people and we took advantage of it

 

Today Black people would rather strive to be popular on white owned ones platform. It is a variation of the white man’s Isis holder of the house, Negro paradigm.

 

White own properties exploited what apparently is an innate human characteristic to seek the approval of others; accumulate followers collect likes. It is really changed to behavior of many people people sharing on social chasing the “like.”

 

Of course everyone has not fallen under this spell, but many have, too many if you ask me.

 

@ProfD describes the form as a coffeehouse. He is not the first one to do that. I think the interactions here are more reflective of the real world than social media.

At any rate, I appreciate the participation of everyone even those I disagree with — which will be everyone from time to time