MY LATEST BLOG POSTINGS!

NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE -- BLACKS HELPING BLACKS -- MILLION MAN HYPE

7.31.2005


With all the action at the NAACP in the last month, the NUL isn't getting much love, so here's some news.

NUL President, Marc Morial, is considering stepping down from his post soon. No, not to run for office. He's already mayor of New Orleans, but some suggest it has something to do his office being under investigation. I guess they would prefer not to get a lot of media attention right now.

Hardbeatnews: National Urban League Prez May Resign After Convention
Chicago Defender: National Urban League Looks Within
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In Daily Press' Other Voices, Bill Grace ask us to Rise above racism by sticking together. He has a lot to say about blacks who complain about racism and expect the government to hold their hand from cradle to grave. His voice is harsh and not very encouraging, but he does bring out the point I strongly believe in, we do the best when blacks rely on themselves and each other.

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This is kind of old, but good. In the Roanoke Times, Shanna Flowers writes about the Million More March coming in October. In Finding a spark is fine, but fire needs to be at home, Flowers discusses the need for real change starts in the home. What will happen this fall is hype and there's nothing wrong with getting the word out. We love symbolism in this country, so more power to it, but it doesn't mean anything if we go home and carry on the way we have been; making choices that are destroying our families, passing the blame, poisoning our children and keeping our minds in the slave mentality that embraces suffering and dependence.
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WHERE'S DADDY -- PIMP AS HERO -- MCKINNEYISM

7.28.2005

At BlackAmericaWeb, Gregory Kane is making sense again with his commentary installment on the moral of the "Where's Daddy" series. Sex Doesn't Just Sell -- It Costs. There's also his earlier article, We Can't Blame White Folks for Our Missing Fathers and Unknown Granddads. The articles mention the usual about the dangers of sex, HIV and absent daddies. I don't want to hear that people are sick of hearing about it because if they were really sick of hearing about it, they would do something instead of standing back and watching as it got worse, waiting for someone else to fix it.
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In the NY Times, Kelefa Sanneh wants to know How Can a Pimp Be a Hero? in his review of Hustle & Flow. I won't be seeing this movie, because I don't see how it's possible, unless the pimp leaves pimping behind and goes on to live a life that steers other black men away from that lifestyle. I have the distinct feeling that isn't going to happen in this story, so my answer is no, a pimp can't be a hero. But this is the hip hop world, pimps, hustlers, drug dealers, gangsters and any other criminal you can think of are the good guys.
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So, Cynthia McKinney is at it again. When she accused Bush of knowing about 9/11 and letting it happen, her constituents rebelled and she got booted out of office. Voters had a change of heart after the shock of 9/11 wore down or maybe they're just as crazy as she is. So, she's back at it. AJC: McKinney reopens 9/11. For those of us thinking that McKinney is saying that Bush knew we might be attacked and didn't do anything, don't be fooled. McKinney is saying he was involved. She held a hearing recently and we'll be hearing more because the press loves this kind of nutty stuff.
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TAKING OVER BLACK NEWS -- GOOD VS BAD REPARATIONS

7.27.2005

A lot has been made about the NY Times decision to start a black newspaper in the Gainesville, FL area and what that means for black papers. I'm a strong believer in the market's influence and letting consumers decide who is providing the best product or not, but it does worry me. The NYT has the money to make this small paper stand hand and shoulders above its competitors and if it is successful (which remains to be seen because what is a 'black' newspaper anyway), then other companies will probably follow suit and we'll see the most prosperous and highest circulated black papers owned by either whites or majority white shareholders.
BlackPressUSA: Declaring War on the Black Press
KRT Wire: Gainesville's blacks divided on new community paper
Chicago Defender: ROLAND S. MARTIN: Memo to the NY Times: "Bring it on!"

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There are good reparations and there are bad reparations. Good reparations are those that can be targeted for those who were specifically harmed in a way that was either sanctioned or instigated by the local, state or federal government with a clear plan to reverse the wrong. Check this out:
Richmond Times Dispatch: For those wronged, another chance

Then there is the other kind, which we don't need to go into yet again on this blog:
Chicago Defender: Congress should hold hearings on slave reparations
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STUPID THINGS PEOPLE SAY - POLITICAL VERSION

7.25.2005

I could spend an entire post devoted to the nut job Reverend Willie Wilson who blames making more money for the growing lesbian craze among black women, but no need to delve into the past. Okay, just a few:
Rev. Willie Wilson Outed
Washington Times: From the Pulpit

So to comment on stupid things Rush Limbaugh says would require a complete blog manned 24 hours a day. The man spews such ugliness from his black heart, that I generally disregard everything he says. Besides, he's a drug addict and we should pity him more than despise him. It is easy to understand that he would reach into the depths of hell to comment on anything positive about the Dems, which is why he hates Senator Barack Obama. However, his continued word play on the Obama - Osama thing shows how deep into his heart, Limbaugh's hatred is. It's in that deep, deep place that God judges us all when our time comes, so Rush...Good luck with all that.
Media Matters: Criticizing Sen. Obama, Limbaugh called him "Obama Osama"

Julianne Malveaux, USA Today columnist recently made headlines with all sorts of name calling. She accused U.S. Troops of beating terrorist suspects, which we can't say isn't untrue. She also referred to Bush a terrorist and the USA, yes the country she lives in that gives her the right to say anything she wants, a terrorist nation. This isn't really anything new and Malveaux's far liberal leanings don't really make this news, but I'm curious what the media outlets such as USA Today and other places Malveaux acts as a contributor have to say about it.
NewsMax: Julianne Malveaux: USA, Bush Are 'Terrorists'
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NAACP RELATED NEWS BYTES

7.21.2005


The Chicago Defender, a black newspaper in my hometown of Chicago, writes a lot about the NAACP. Ron Walters commentary on recent comments by new head Bruce Gordon have him wondering about the direction the civil rights organization is going.
"In short, it raises the question whether Gordon's selection is an exercise in institution-building rather than the selection of a warrior who could help the organization battle more effectively."

If one studies the trends in black power, it is clear that the influence is shifting to business leaders and economic empowerment. The old strategy that made the NAACP the preeminent voice of black America is no longer an effective strategy and that is evidenced by the decline in influence, membership and relevancy of the organization. It is thanks to the old strategy that we have this opportunity, but it is time to let it go.
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A lot has been written about MD Senatorial candidate and former NAACP Head Kwesi Mfume's comments at the NAMME conference last week, which I attended. There was definitely a sense that he did not leave on good terms, as evidenced by having no clue or say about who they would eventually pick to replace him. Also covered by the Chicago Defender, he was open and clear in saying that the NAACP Should Have Chosen A Woman Leader. Although I am in favor of the business move, a woman would have been an interesting choice as well. With the situations we face with the state of the black family, would a woman's voice make any difference? Is sexism still strong enough within the black race to make many disregard anything she would say or promote? Worth a discussion.
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Last but not least, the NAACP released it's Business Diversity Report earlier this month. The report on diversity within American corporations says the progress has become stagnant. That would be fine if the state was one to be proud of, but I think we all know it isn't. I think a lot needs to be done around the discussion of diversity and pulling it out of a social context and into a business context.

We've abandoned a diversity because it's the right thing to do argument, which was doomed from the start in a capitalist society. Now, we need to get beyond the case that says it's just good for business to the argument that it is a functional imperative that is crucial to making the corporate vision complete. We need to show it's value, not just in a branding sense but in the delivery to shareholders. We need to move the understanding beyond the most senior executives who can buy in because, let's face it, they don't think it threatens their jobs, to the middle managers who are the heart of every corporation and show them how it will improve their processes and systems.
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RACE & NON-POLITICS ROUND UP

7.20.2005


I thought it was a joke when I heard Donald Trump was considering a black vs white theme for the next season of Apprentice, but it wasn't. It was actually on the table. The list of dumbest ideas ever will definately need to be adjusted for this new entry, cause it's somewhere near the top. The show must have had a ratings drop last season. So, now the news is that Trump has decided against it. I guess he finally got what the blank stares on the faces of EVERYONE HE PITCHED THIS TO meant.
MSNBC: Will Apprentice be a black and white issue?
PopPolitics.com: The New Apprentice and the Trumpification of Race
Indo-Asian News Service: Trump retracts on race card for TV show
The Bosh: Will the next "Apprentice" be a battle of the races?

AOL has a new head for their BlackVoices.com site. This is actually a good site and I like it better than BlackPlanet.com. There are a lot of communities focused on books, politics and other relevant issues and not just entertainment gossip, rap music and baby mama/daddy bulletin boards. The new head is coming over from the VH1/MTV family, but she previously worked at HBO which has a good rep for edgy, creative stuff, so let's see what she'll do. Oh yes, she's a sister!
WAPO: AOL Appoints New Chief of Black Voices Service

It amazes me how many people, black and white, don't know about the legacy of African Americans at Martha's Vineyard that dates back to the 1700s. There's a new book out, Finding Martha's Vineyard : African Americans at Home on an Island by Jill Nelson. Nelson talks about the haven for the well-to-do black elite and interviews some well-known and some not-so-well-known blacks whose families have been vacationing there for generations.
There are other books, fiction and non-fiction, about blacks at the Vineyard.
The Emperor of Ocean Park
Our Kind of People: Inside America's Black Upper Class
The BAP Handbook : The Official Guide to the Black American Princess
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COSBY TALK

7.19.2005

The sudden activist that won't die. Columnist Earl Ofari Hutchinson talks about Cosby's New Wrinkle in his article, where he revisits the Cosby morality tour now that the Coz is discussing his own transgressions.

Does the fact that Cosby has such a flawed past affect the message? The message is stronger than the man, evidenced by all those within the community agreeing with it, but only a blind person would say it doesn't play a factor. Confirmed extra-marital affairs, illegitimate children from those extra-marital affairs and alleged various degrees of sexual assault is not your average man's foibles.

I've always argued that, as much as people respect Cosby, he is an actor and is not the proper spokesperson for this issue. This is why he hasn't gotten past the blaming part to offer any real discussion topics or even hint at solutions. We need prominent professionals who understand the breakdown of values and the role the traditional family plays in other aspects of our lives. We need politicians, prominent spiritual leaders, psychologists and such to lead a real discussion instead of just insulting people.

When I was at NAMME last week, Michael Eric Dyson was a speaker and we all got a copy of his book, , which I haven't read and probably won't because I agree more with Cosby than Dyson, but it was an enjoyable presentation. Dyson has a real problem with a lot of what Cosby said (and I'll admit some of his speech was beyond the pale), but he can't argue that a much needed topic has been sparked. Why by Cosby? Who knows, but it's important.

Dyson really has a way with words, but I'm not really interested in words for wordsmith sake. He did give some local, neighborhood ideas for solutions that I haven't heard from Cosby, but I definitely got a whiff of more social responsibility than personal responsibility and I favor the other balance.

Either way, the topic is still alive and it should be. However, that ole "Do as I say, not as I do," mantra really doesn't work when it comes to the real, substantive stuff.

Former Rep J.C. Watts: The Cos and effect of speaking out on race
In Forum: Bill Cosby: An Agent of Change
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POLITICS & THE BLACK CHURCH

7.18.2005

The black church as the center of the black community has always been a source of debate. If the church is really doing it's job, then why have our morals declined to such a degree? That's a question for every church, really, not just the black ones. But if black folks love them some Jesus, as we say we do, then why aren't we living by his example the other six days of the week?

What about the elitist churches that check your 1040 forms before letting you become a member and boast more about the incomes of their members than their spirituality? What about the debate over black preachers and their roles in the directing the beliefs of the people? What about the flaws of the messenger blurring the message?

When you can't tell a pimp from a preacher because of the car, the bling, the furs and all that, you've got a problem. You got preachers cussing and carrying on in church like they're on show. Everyone is praising the Lord for two hours, but the second we leave the place, we go to smoking weed, celebrating disgusting and violent rap songs and making more illegitimate children.

No, I don't have the answers, but I'm not the only one asking the questions, so where do we go to start the discussion? Who isn't afraid to speak out? What is happening to those that do?

There is this joker in D.C. who says that black women are becoming lesbians because they make more money than men. WAPO: Activists Condemn 'Lesbians' Sermon. Brother, it don't work like that. Like some men, some women who make more money might want to trade up, but they don't switch teams.

Another pastor, this one white, writes at The Conservative Voice to blacks on what we should be doing if we are moral. COME ON, MORAL BLACKS. BACK A MORAL BUSH. I love how he qualifies himself because he adopted a black child, as if that automatically means he has no prejudice. Trust me, there are black folks with a whole bunch of black children who can't stand black people. I'm not doubting his prejudice-free status, but I do have a problem with spiritual leaders taking political sides.

In The WAPO, John W. Fountain, writes that he still loves God, but has lost faith in The Black Church. Among the reasons; Mercedes driving Preachers who take collection plates filled mostly by poor parishioners and live safely secluded away from those they are preaching to. No Place for Me.

Of course the church isn't to blame for how a race of people decide to live their lives and there are many black preachers out there who are doing all they can with a heart full of honest intentions, spreading the word in a way that Jesus would be proud of, but what part should the church play in the direction of black lives in America?
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BUSH, THE NAACP & MFUME IN CHI-TOWN

7.17.2005

I'm back, so stop crying.

So, since everyone was talking about Bush at Indianapolis Black Expo, Mehlman at the NAACP and Mfume at NAMME (which is where I was), I won't talk too much about it. I think it is odd for Bush to pick the Indy event over NAACP, especially considering they have a new leader and his conversations with Mfume after he won the 2004 election. I mentioned in my blog about that meeting, saying it was probably just talk on both sides and unfortunately that was true.
FT Times: Bush to Appear at Black Expo in Indy
The Wabash Plain Dealer Online

Mehlman has been the architect of the "no, we DO like black people" Republican campaign, so he's the best person to go in place of Bush, but let's face it. It was a snub, which is code word for "scheduling conflict."
CNS News: RNC Chief's Planned Speech to NAACP Called a 'Mistake'
Washington Times: Party leaders apologize for overlooking blacks

I was at the NAMME event and sat in the front row for Mfume and his comments. Mfume always presents himself so well, he makes you want to like him. I know people who have worked at the NAACP and to a one, they can't stand him. They say he's elitist, thought a lot of the work was beneath him, treats people disrespectfully and still womanizes. Sounds like a perfect candidate for Senator to me.
TheWBALChannel.com: News - Mfume Accuses Dems Of Cultivating Opposition

On a more serious note, the Democrats need to straighten it up and get behind him. He's not the ideal choice, but he's the only chance they have. If they think they're going to win with the guy they are currently backing against Michael Steele, they're nuts. They can't afford to lose a Senate seat in MD after the Governor debacle.

Steele has put forth a concerted effort in Baltimore and Prince George's County to be seen and connect with the community. He's already gotten the white Republican vote, but he will also get the votes of many Black Democrats. This is especially so if their slight of Mfume persists.

Baltimore News: Democrats Fret Over Next Year's Primary
WBOC: Mfume Accuses Democrats of Cultivating Opposition
Baltimoresun.com: Mfume sees plot to block candidacy
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BC LIBERAL SPEAK ROUNDUP

7.10.2005

I'll be gone this week, going back home to Chi-Town for a little business and pleasure. I'll leave you with a quick round up of interesting articles.

Beware, to much liberal B-S can be hazardous to your health. Now that you've read the warning label, check out these articles at my favorite liberal site, The Black Commentator:

We need to Reject the Language of White Supremacy, because once we are trapped in the enemy's language we are lost. Okay, that is going a bit Black Panther, but read the article. Yes, I completely disagree with it, but that isn't the point. It talks about corporate language and that same tired explanation that liberals give for any black person who doesn't want to play victim; "our desire to be accepted by white people."

I've never heard of Cory Booker, but apparently he is rich, white America's favorite black politician. Probably because he "desires to be accepted by them." Never heard that one before.
PBS Shills for a Black Trojan Horse. This is a story about a man in Newark (Booker), and how PBS is a corporate propaganda tool. Yes, the same PBS that is considered by the world to be the last purely liberal bastion of media. Booker has Stanford, Oxford and Yale on his resume. He must be absolutely unbearable to have a conversation with. Good thing I don't even know where Newark is.

Guest Commentator, Abdul Karim Bangura, tells us how White Mexican Racism Rears Its Ugly Head Again. I've had several things to say about Vincente Fox's statements and those ridiculous stamps, but here is another viewpoint. Bangura believes that Mexican racism hurts so much because of the myriad of contributions Africa and it's descendents have made. Not that I'm excusing Mexico, but seriously folks. We have too many problems between our own people here in the states to deal with, not to mention our issues with white Americans, than to start spending time and energy on Mexico's issue with us.
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WHAT THE LONDON BOMBINGS MEAN TO AFRICA

7.07.2005

I was interesting in hearing about what the G8 Summit had to say about aid to Africa, but what we all expected to be the lead story, in addition to the jailing of Judy Miller, wasn't. London's horrific attack by terrorists is deservedly what is on all of our minds.

Unlike the traditional news articles, a few blogs took an interesting angle on the topic. Although it seems insane, there are some blacks who sympathize with the terrorists. Not that they condone what they do; they would have to be crazy to do that. But they have bought into the idea that white oppression is the root cause of terrorism so there is a certain amont of empathy there. It is misplaced.

Not only have the terrorists knocked Africa off the media map, but they have distracted Tony Blair, who has been on the forefront of increasing our focus on Africa and it's need for help.

From my favorite blog, Booker Rising, "Jihadists slaughter blacks and drive folks from their land in Sudan, enslave folks elsewhere, and thus it's no surprise that they sought (in part) to drive Africans off the global agenda."

Another one of my favorite black blogs, The Black Informant, the author explains Why black folks should especially be angry regarding recent terrorist activity.
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SOME SENATORS ANTI ANTI-LYNCHING LEGISLATION

7.06.2005

I've gone back and forth on how I feel about this lynching legislation by the Senate last month, but landing in favor of it because the apology is from the U.S. Senate for the U.S. Senate's inability to do what was clearly right not so long ago. Yes, it does open the floodgates to white liberal guilt and more and more demands, but I just had a gut feeling that it was the right thing to do.

So why did it bother me when I read at DiversityInc that 10 Senators did not support the legislation? And they're all Republicans. What made me even angrier was to find out Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn.-offered them all anonymity by refusing to require a roll-call vote, so their votes wouldn't be part of the official record. What the hell is that?

"I don't feel I should apologize for the passage or the failure to pass any legislation by the U.S. Senate, but I deplore and regret that lynchings occurred and those committing them were not punished," Senator Cochran of Mississippi said.

The List Is:
Lamar Alexander (Tenn.)
202-224-4944
http://alexander.senate.gov


Thad Cochran (Miss.)
202-224-5054
http://cochran.senate.gov


Trent Lott (Miss.)
202-224-6253
http://lott.senate.gov


Craig Thomas (Wyo.)
202-224-6441
http://thomas.senate.gov


Michael Enzi (Wyo.)
202-224-3424
http://enzi.senate.gov


Judd Gregg (N.H.)
202-224-3324
http://gregg.senate.gov


John Sununu (N.H.)
202-224-2841
http://sununu.senate.gov


John Cornyn (Texas)
202-224-2934
http://cornyn.senate.gov


Richard Shelby (Ala.)
202-224-5744
http://shelby.senate.gov


Robert Bennett (Utah)
202-224-5444
http://bennett.senate.gov
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NEW NAACP HEAD - AT LEAST IT ISN'T RUSSELL SIMMONS

7.05.2005

So, we have a new head for the NAACP. Former Verizon exec, Bruce Gordon.

BAW: Gordon's First Order of Biz as NAACP President: Increasing Membership
BlackNews.com: NAACP Finally Selects New Leader
Online NewsHour: New Chief Executive Bruce Gordon Discusses the NAACP's Future
NYT: At N.A.A.C.P. Helm, an Economic Approach to Rights
Yahoo News: Different kind' of activist takes the NAACP helm

I like the business background vs politics. Not to say that he won't be completely politicized by the end of the year, but at least we have someone coming in with a financial head on his shoulders. What's most important are his visions for the NAACP. He has an incredible challenge ahead of him, but it's also an even more incredible article. If the NAACP can turn away from the liberal, partisan voice it has become and return to being a leader on the new civil rights issues facing black America, it can become as relevant again as it was in the 60s and 70s.

As far as his stated priority, increasing membership, in order to do that, he'll have to change the image of the party and make it relative to young, blacks who are dealing with issues of financing college, getting their kids a good education, buying a home, paying their taxes and planning for their retirement. These kitchen table issues are at the core of most middle class black Americans who are the majority of the race.

We'll keep an eye on him and see what he does as opposed to what he says.


FROM USATODAY.COM - ABOUT BRUCE GORDON
AGE: 59 (Born Feb. 15, 1946, in Camden, N.J.).
EDUCATION: BA, Gettysburg College; MS, Massachusetts Institute of Technology as an Alfred P. Sloan Fellow.
PERSONAL: Lives in Manhattan. Married to Tawana Tibbs. One son, Taurin Gordon, 27, of Philadelphia.
CAREER: Began as a management trainee at Bell of Pennsylvania in 1968. Retired 35 years later as head of Verizon's biggest division, retail markets, which had 34,000 employees and did $25 billion in sales. Also directed corporate advertising and brand management. Named Executive of the Year by Black Enterprise in 1998; named among ''50 Most Powerful Black Executives'' by Fortune in 2002. Text, quotes and other various information go here.
QUOTE: ''Who's to say that I would have been the best person (for this job) eight or nine years ago? But today, my background, my skills and expertise seem to be well-suited for the NAACP and where it's going. I think that one of the mistakes that people have a tendency to make is to say if you haven't spent your career in the civil rights movement, you're not a civil rights person. I think that's when you have a narrow definition of civil rights. I think you're hard-pressed to be a black person in America and not be involved in the civil rights struggle.''
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