Artist and composer Keith Townsend Obadike is auctioning his blackness
online at ebay.com. This project is the most recent part of his
"Black.net.art " actions. Obadike's past projects have explored issues
around race, sexuality and community online. This auction is open to
bidding by individuals and institutions. The auction runs Aug 8-18 2001
and is listed under Collectibles/Culture/Black Americana.

Follow this link to ebay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/ebayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1176601036

This heirloom has been in the possession of the seller for twenty-eight
years. Mr. Obadike's Blackness has been used primarily in the United
States and its functionality outside of the US cannot be guaranteed.
Buyer will receive a certificate of authenticity.

+ + +

Benefits and Warnings

Benefits:

1. This Blackness may be used for creating black art.

2. This Blackness may be used for writing critical essays or scholarship
about other blacks.

3. This Blackness may be used for making jokes about black people and/or
laughing at black humor comfortably. (Option#3 may overlap with
option#2)

4. This Blackness may be used for accessing some affirmative action
benefits. (Limited time offer. May already be prohibited in some areas.)

5. This Blackness may be used for dating a black person without fear of
public scrutiny.

6. This Blackness may be used for gaining access to exclusive, "high
risk" neighborhoods.

7. This Blackness may be used for securing the right to use the terms
'sista', 'brotha', or 'nigga' in reference to black people. (Be sure to
have certificate of authenticity on hand when using option 7).

8. This Blackness may be used for instilling fear.

9. This Blackness may be used to augment the blackness of those already
black, especially for purposes of playing 'blacker-than-thou'.

10. This Blackness may be used by blacks as a spare (in case your
original Blackness is whupped off you.)

Warnings:

1. The Seller does not recommend that this Blackness be used
during legal proceedings of any sort.

2. The Seller does not recommend that this Blackness be used while
seeking employment.

3. The Seller does not recommend that this Blackness be used in the
process of making or selling 'serious' art.

4. The Seller does not recommend that this Blackness be used while
shopping or writing a personal check.

5. The Seller does not recommend that this Blackness be used while
making intellectual claims.

6. The Seller does not recommend that this Blackness be used while
voting in the United States or Florida.

7. The Seller does not recommend that this Blackness be used while
demanding fairness.

8. The Seller does not recommend that this Blackness be used while
demanding.

9. The Seller does not recommend that this Blackness be used in
Hollywood.

10. The Seller does not recommend that this Blackness be used by whites
looking for a wild weekend.