Oh I’ll show him ANGRY!!- The Fools At Fox Claim There are Only Angry Black Women in the Media (except Oprah)

JESUS TAKE THE WHEEL!! The Fools at Fox are at it again!!!!

Obama and Curious George???

A Georgia bar owner is making headlines for selling a t-shirt that says “Obama in 08″, but it’s not the slogan that’s causing the controversy. The Phrase is underneath a picture of Curious George peeling a banana.

NYC Sean Bell Protestors, Al Sharpton/Nicole Bell Arrested!!

In case you missed it, a peaceful New York protest against the Sean Bell verdict has ended in arrest. Civil rights activist Al Sharpton has been arrested along with Nicole Paultre Bell (Fiancee/wife of Sean Bell) and about 190 other demonstrators were arrested for “civil disobedience.

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.

Cops Cleared in Sean Bell Case!!!

The three Cops have been AQUITTED in the Sean Bell Case!!!!

State Supreme Court Judge Arthur Cooperman said the charges could not be proved beyond a reasonable doubt.

“Questions of carelessness and incompetence must be left to other forums,” Copperman said.

WOW!!!
I know some folks have already written their thought under my Converstation Starter post. (either post you use is fine with me)

I just want to know who will police the police??
This was not a criminal, or an armed assailant. Just a man and his friends in a car.

If I shot at someone who was unarmed because I “thought” they may do something wrong I’d go to jail.

Contrary to what Mayor Bloomberg believes this is a case about race and class. The cops involved may have been black but that doesn’t mean that they don’t stereotype against their own culture. These Black cops saw, young black males and automatically assumed they were going to do a “drive by.” that assumption isn’t right even if the one doing the stereotyping is of the same ethnicity

I’m just in shock, and worried about safety the black men in my life. whose stereotypes might put them in danger??

Conversation Starter- The Sean Bell Verdict

Tomorrow is a big day for the people of New York. The Judge in the Sean Bell case is expected to reach a verdict. Will the three law enforcement officers be dealt a guilty verdict?

In Honor of Dr. King

In honor of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. I wanted to post one of his speeches. I hadn’t heard this until recently. It doesn’t have the catch phrases like his more popular “I have a dream” but it’s definitely a great and meaningful speech.

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!