USF Africana and Women’s Studies Protest at Graduation!!!

I’ve previously posted about the decisions to cut Africana and Women’s studies at my Alma Mater. Well I just have to post this news story featuring my fellow BULLS! Standing up in silent protest during the Spring 2008 graduation.

Please Watch this HERE!

I’m Just Being Honest-Reflections on the Sean Bell Verdict

It’s been a day or two since I’ve posted any new news or opinion pieces. Partly because the cocoa colored news has been a little slow, but mainly because I’ve been a little down since the Sean Bell verdict. I’m not from New York; I don’t know Sean Bell, his Fiancée, Nicole Paultre-Bell or anyone associated with the case and I can’t say that I was truly shocked or surprised by the verdict. And yet it has burdened my spirit.

Start a Revolution- Save Africana, Latin and Women’s Studies at our Colleges!!!!

With our nation’s economy in shambles, everyone is looking for ways to cut back on spending and budget cuts are the name of the game. Unfortunately thanks to poor government spending (i.e. - a crazy war with no end in sight) the country’s universities are really feeling the pinch. In their haste to cut costs (and preserve the lofty salaries of some school presidents) some schools have placed Africana (African, African American. Black, Diaspora etc.), Latin American and Women studies Programs on the chopping block. Claiming that the programs have so few majors that it’s not worth the costs.
Students in these programs are up in arms (particularly at my Alma Mater the University of South Florida), writing letters, signing petitions and leading rallies to preserve the departments that they hold dear.

Conversation Starter-Our Greatest Challenges PLEASE COMMENT

So I was glancing around on Essence’s Website, and they have a piece where they asked a number of current “Great Black Thinkers” “what is the greatest challenge facing African Americans in 2008?”
So often we are expected to vote for other people’s causes and told that it “lines up” with ours. Democrats tell us we need more social liberal policies and Republicans often play on our moral conservative beliefs (abortion, gay marriage etc), but what do we need and want in order for our people to progress? What challenges are tearing us down? PLEASE Comment!!

Civil Rights Leader charged with Incest

This news made me sooo sad. James Bevel, a former Civil Rights Leader has been charged with incest and unfortunately with his own daughters. It’s a crazy story but apparently this man had been molesting his child at the age of 6 and continued routinely molesting her for years. The abuse culminated with full on intercourse when the daughter was 15 (this took place in the early 90’s). As adults his daughter and two of her other sisters (he has 14!!!) confronted Bevel because of fears that he was abusing a younger daughter. A taped phone call was his undoing. In a 2005 conversation with the daughter he raped, he defended his actions, partially blaming her for not resisting his advances and shaming her for ‘fornicating’ –

It was the Best of times, It was the Worst of times…

*Disclaimer- Since I failed to do so the last time I will warn you that this is not targeted towards anyone particulary any men that I know or that are in my life. The men I know are wonderful and would never be gulity of such foolishness.

According to the Urban League’s State of Black America Report, Black Women are facing both the best and worst times in our history. Condi’s historically high position in the current presidential administration, Michelle Obama being hailed as the new “Jackie Kennedy O.” and Oprah just being Oprah, just a few examples of modern black female achievement. Business owned by black women increased by 147% in the last ten years and sistas are working more than brothas nationwide. And yet we are suffering.

Reach Out! Black History Month Wrap up!

Black History month is almost over and soon the programs, forums, discussion groups and special events will pretty much be over until next year’s Martin Luther King Day. This month was filled with deep probing discussions about the state of black life in America. We gathered in our classrooms, forums, churches, lodges, and fraternity or sorority houses.  We piled into university lecture halls, and conference centers, and banquet dinning rooms to talk about African Americans and economics, class, gender, and health care and we asked which presidential candidate would really do what’s best for the community. Then we combine all of our degrees, and doctorates, professional experience and common sense and ask, “What’s wrong with the rest of the Negroes?” During the rest of the year, we read “Losing the Race”, Tavis Smiley’s “Covent with black America” and Bill Cosby’s “Come on People” and we continue to question what’s wrong with the rest of the Negroes? Why are our kids doing so poorly in school? Why are so many of our men put in prison? Why are those people in the mall so crude? Why don’t our people listen to the history, statistics, and change? WHY?Without fail the conversations turn to the same issues, closing the economic disparity gap, black on black crime, the state of young black men, single mothers, and the impact of negative images on young black people. I saw it at local events that I attended and on Tavis Smiley’s “State of the Black Union.” Almost every conversation touches on what’s wrong with our society and how the information should be shared with everyone so that we can grow and improve the overall status of African Americans. We all exchange ideas and cheer each other on ad we inform ourselves on the best way to empower ourselves. We all leave or turn off our TV’s feeling energized.  And yet nothing really changes maybe it’s because one very important element is usually missing when we discuss the plight of poor, young, or uneducated blacks: poor black people, young black people or uneducated black people. I have heard some really great speeches of inspiration for young people and in a room where only five people were younger than 30. I’ve seen some really great presentations about the importance of education for a group of college educated individuals, and opinion changing arguments on why/how the media’s influence is negatively affecting our kids in a room with no actual kids in sight. I know, I know what you’re thinking. “State of the Black Union” was aired in TV they could watch it just as well as I did”, “Books are free at the library why don’t they go read them?” That discussion forum was advertised in the public, everyone knew about it” and so we blame. It’s there fault that we can’t all progress.Come on! How many people watch Cspan on a Saturday morning? Wouldn’t more young people have been reached if it had aired on “BET”?  Come On  People  and the ”Covenant” had messages that were targeted towards young and/or poor blacks. But it’s a well known fact that many of our children in poorer neighborhoods are not reading at the right grade level. When a child doesn’t read well they stop reading all together and many times poor readers raise more poor readers. And yes many educational events are advertised, but how comfortable or appealing would an event be to you if it were held in a private organizations’ house? Would you want to come to an event that’s being held at a university if you don’t feel educated?We cannot continue to keep our rousing discussions in arenas that are only appealing the people that are like us. We have to learn to reach people all people where they are. Stop expecting them (depending on who you they are) to come to you! So many of us like to boast about being a part of DuBois’ “Talented Tenth” but we forget one very important part of DuBois theory. It’s the job of the “tenth” to pull up the other 90%. It’s time to take these messages of empowerment, history and change to the streets! Be the change you wish to see in your communities. Let’s make a plan of action to go out and positively affect our community.  Jump out of your ivory towers and infest the hood with good! What should we do to better reach the community? Send me your ideas!  Happy Black History Month!