Nappy Headed Black Child

Im Tired Of Blogging

2010-11-07T08:39:00.000-08:00

In creating this blog its i was really just a way for me to get some use of being a poli sci major in analyzing politics and the world around me. That and frankly my at the time my friends had heard my analysis to the point of nausea. Blogging seemed natural. I had a good thing going. I was able to track my growth, get in the habit of putting my thoughts down and I was able to meet much greater minds than myself. However as my own personal politics began to evolve i've noticed that i have less and less to say b/c i seem to be repeating myself and becoming increasingly critical of the conscious community that i was so happy to be apart of a year ago. The blueprint of what we need to do has been throughly laid out. The evidence to support those actions is copious. I've been thinking about what we need and how to get the ball rolling and i have come to the conclusion that what we need isnt another writer or social/cultural/political commentator (or athlete or entertainer or poet no disses though unless of course you mad then i would advise you reevaluate how u spending your time).

We need do-ers, people who are going to enact the plans and strategies necessary for our success.

Im gonna go hang out with them some. I have said before that there isnt an established paradigm for blackness that exists beyond theory. Aside from many of the inappropriate behaviors that hamper our ability to move as we need to.

so with that said this is the probably the last post of this blog. Thanks for reading following promoting. Hopefully i given some of you something to think about.

Thank you sincerely

Jasmine Mans "Nicki Minaj"

2010-10-28T05:28:00.000-07:00

Props to Jasmine Mans

As i look at a Nicki Minaj and the out of love criticism being sent her way by Jasmine Mans, I can't help but notice the fact that Nicki Minaj does not exist in a vacuum and the same can be said for all the other problematic representations of black music culture. We come from communities where certain ideas and certain actions are held to be more valuable over others. In other words it is very very foolish in my estimation to view Nicki Minaj as the problem. She is only the symptom. Music i dont relate to i dont buy, request on the radio, play in my system, recommended to my friends, go to concerts to see perform. I wouldn't support the award shows that highlight them, the stations that play them. Further more i would fight the attitudes that produced them.

something to think about

Just Finished Reading

2010-10-14T17:03:00.000-07:00

Sellout By Randall Kennedy

An excellent book. I found myself enjoying it much more than what i thought i would. In this text Kennedy explores the meaning of racial solidarity with respects to how we go about labeling those who betray that solidarity.

One of the key points of this text is how do we go about determining who is a "sellout" rigorous. Often times the term sellout is tossed around arbitrarily used often a derailing tactic to reduce if not outright ruin a persons credibility over what amounts to disagreements (which are far too often petty ones) or folk who are just wrong.

Given the weight of that term, we should do better. When used sloppily, the threat of sellout stigma functions as a muzzle on criticism and commentary as well as creating the false notion of black people existing as monolithic whole.

Lets be honest here if we as a people are going to move up as a group we must plan and take action based upon who we are where we are. Given the breadth of the black experience when we try to enforce our piece of the black experience on others and ostracize (particular as sellouts and traitors) those who choose to do different things we become more about our particular cliques than about our people as a whole.

Kennedy makes it clear that being a sellout hinges on intention. Meaning purposeful action to subvert or sabotage. And that intention is the bar that must be cleared if we are accurately interested in preventing false accusation. In his presentation of Clarence Thomas arguably the most visible sellout in contemporary memory due to his vehement opposition to Affirmative Action. While Kennedy declines to label Thomas he essentially lays out the facts surrounding Thomas regarding his affirmative action stance which is what earned him is "sellout status" , his other jurisprudence, his philosophy with respects to a judges duty, and the mindfuck race card he pulled (<--my emphasis) in his confirmation hearing regarding the allegations levied by Anita Hill which revealed just how patriarchal the concept racial solidarity is and the culture of black protectionism as well (obama stans). In presenting the case Kennedy is saying if we are going to label someone a sellout we must fully investigate it.

Kennedy also investigates who is black and the phenomenon of passing for white as selling out in addition to the slave catcher house negro informant option.

its an excellent read. check it out. and as you know if i can provide it here i will

African vs. African Descent.

2010-10-13T21:38:00.000-07:00

For awhile I have insisted on being defined as as African. When i started this there was a sense of pride i derived from it. But as of late it has begun to fad not for lack of love for the land of my ancestors but because its not specific enough. Africa is not a monolithic whole and I am very limited in my ability to be much more specific than a region. I always say so much of the experience of the Diaspora African in America is about finding a place. Where do we fit? We are so hated here in America and often look to Africa as a home and yet have more in common with the very same western world that oppresses us than the land that we acknowledge as home. As my own search for my ancestral home i see how separated I am. Regardless of how I feel about it I am a westerner. I have more in common functionally with the west than i do with varied peoples of Africa, that i am connected to by heritage.

In my mind if one is claiming to be African and is seriously interested in that being a reality, repatriation is academic. Eliminating and undoing our separation has to happen and folding ourselves back into the land we call home and its peoples makes sense. But lets say if I repatriate today and go home my future children and their children possibly even my future partner will be African but I will always be a westerner. And it saddens me because that means referring to myself as an African as opposed to a man of african descent in an appropriation of an identity that i only have a marginal claim to. I suppose this is what its like to be moses in the biblical account of him looking into the promised land knowing that he could never really be apart of it.

In 30 seconds

2010-10-05T12:48:00.001-07:00

I Can No Longer Call Obama a Good Man with a Bad Job

2010-10-04T11:56:00.000-07:00

the presidency has always been a bad job. the president consistently is getting the heat for something at all times and usually with good reason. Many people don't realize that that blame should be equally shared by congress. Its a democracy its comes with the territory. Understand the intricacies of what it means to be president and what governing in general entails (making compromises) and dealing with a reactionary white supremacist patriarchal Christian electorate i was inclined to cut a lil slack.

But after these FBI attack on the anti war folks i can no longer stand by an attitude of Obama being a good man with a bad job. A constitutional lawyer at least one interested in preserving that constitution in a human way would not be okay with silencing dissent. Look at net neutrality, Shit look at the obama administration want to assassinate american citizens w/o any due process. If this isn't Cointelpro i dont know what is. Granted Obama did reaffirm the patriot act. Add this upon the merely cosmetic changes in social justice issues. It would seem all that noise about change was just that, noise. It seems that Obama is another war machine feeding half stepping politician more concerned w/ political expediency of his party than whats right.

disappointed yes. surprised no.

Thats hope for you

This Should Be The Last Time A Republican Or Democrat Ever Gets Elected

2010-09-30T15:21:00.000-07:00

source

As we head into the November elections and politicians in a hurry to go and campaign, TANF Emergency Contingency Fund to expire today the one really piece of legislation that was actually doing something about the job situation. There is also 5.5 billion dollar shortfall in education money that will kill accessibility for Pell grants and there is also the matter of the money promised to the black farmers that has yet to be allocated.

Now in this era of politics has been characterized, particularly in the case of the most recent Bush, by governing by campaigning. That is governing in such a way that focused purely on doing what is politically expedient any actual good done is purely coincidental. For example take the PATRIOT act has provisions that weaken the ability of unions and labor groups to protest and picket(obviously setting the precedent for other groups to be censored and silenced. Which would go a long way towards preventing political upheaval. Coincidence?). For democrats that sucks as unions make up a significant part of their base and are vital to presidential election strategies. However b/c of the characterization of 9/11 and the "security need" for the PATRIOT act, a vote to prevent union weakening was as a vote against national security. Rock and a hard place. Gotcha politics i suppose you could say.The implication is that no work gets done. If my side cant win make damn sure the other side loses. The republicans are much better at it than the Dems. Despite their marked majorities.

It is well understood why the conservative bullshit is well bullshit. The racism the baiting white guilt and being in the pocket of the corporations thats hurt us. B/c really at this point in the political game, It is the people versus the Corporations for politicians (read mercenaries). The democrats are just as unacceptable b/c their lack of political fortitude to do anything besides what is cosmetic. The democrats are not interested in systemic change (Militarization of the Dream) the want secured power and that requires stability that systemic change simply cannot give them. (are you hearing me black folk).

Solution: Fuck Them Both. We break up the two party strangle hold by lending our political allegiance to people that are actually going to the work that will benefit us instead of attempting to make compromises on things we cannot afford to be shelved or weakened for the sake of political expediency. The unrest and anger that is brewing and can be channeled for good things.

Anyways ill meet yall in the middle.

Gender Performance and Hyper Masculinity

2010-09-29T18:30:00.000-07:00

As i think about my own gender assignment of "male" and how my conciousness has interacted with that assignment as well as viewing other people interact with gender. I'm beginning to see gender as i would any other status signifier such as rich, poor, nationality, or race. And like these status identifiers i agree with judith butler that gender is a performance directed by the various contexts by which an individual occurs.

Think about it.

What is hardwired into my dna (as far as i know) is whether or not i have a penis or a vagina. Everything else is a matter or social construction(gender roles for example).

I personally have never experienced any dissonace in relationship to my assigned gender but i do notice a certain amount of posturing that i do as a result of that assignment.

This turns discussions of hypermasculinity on its ear. Hypermasculinity in and of itself confirms gender as a performance and in the black community of which i am most experienced the inability of black men (in the cis sense) to fufill the standards of what this society defines as "masculine". Such as financial status, the ability to provide for the needs of those they care for, ability and power to make decisions and exercise control. This often translates in to destructive behaviors in the few areas we can influence to compensate. Often times this discussion revolves around changing the paradigm of whats considered masculine behaviors without ever approaching the idea that perhaps the concept masculinity in general hyper or otherwise and the gender binary itself is a problem.

Im not attempting to assault what has been defined as masculine and what has been defined as feminine but these things are choices among various options, and I'm not particularly fond of erasure or the perpetuation of a system of internal oppression among my community members to go along with the external oppression.

Also consider this as a further example of how binary can be destructive. How many men are ostracized or called gay b/c they aren't masculine or enough or vise versa with women (not that i am insinuating that there is anything wrong with those pairings but it is an attempt to dehumanize). I wonder how many people in terms of gender are acting in some way other than they norm to fit standards.

This is a dense topic that im still trying to find all the vocabulary for but its something to think about. At this point I am focusing on less on trying establish what a man should be as opposed to what a human being should be.

2010-09-27T14:16:00.001-07:00

CNN is running and op-ed about sexuality in the black church due to the civil charges being levied against Bishop Eddie Long., and per my experiences in the black church its fairly spot on. The black church is very very conservative consider the bible to be the authoritative word of god and have no problem quote scripture as their answers to just about any question. And they are entitled to their outlook. I find that outlook shitty b/c it stagnates critical thinking but its their choice. I've known many people who self identify as Christians who have struggled with their same sex feelings. Being formerly Christian myself i understand the feelings of inadequacy from feeling disconnected unable to hear the "God's voice". I know what it feels like to have struggles and need comfort and then have people cite my relationship with "God" as my problem. I can remember imitating and eventually faking certain actions b/c i thought i would get me closer to "god". So when i think of what it is grow up in that context and then also trying to balance a same sex attraction (or anything that wasn't vanilla or "traditional" sexual relations) has to be exponentially more soul crushing. Being different in a religious context is not well received and the black church is no different. Its not a safe space.

however what i also notice is that to this day i have not seen many investigations of any kind into the catholic church which is predominantly white. My people are often turned into fetish objects (the bad kind) or exotics at best in a society of white normative standards. I take not and exception to the double standard despite how necessary i think the discussion about sexuality, exploitation, and the black church needs to happen.

This is what we call Hyper-Visibility and Invisibility. When there are negative things to say about my people its front page news, its the most actively reported information. Creating and confirming stereotypes about my people. However where there is positive work being done there is Invisibility. These good folks are unseen often b/c of the fact that these folks challenge the stereotypes and in this media world we know that the white normative standard is marketable b/c it satisfies instead of challenges the existing social reality.

something to think about.

For the moment lets focus on shining light on the exploitation and repression that exists among us.

What Does This Mean...Really

2010-09-26T09:54:00.000-07:00

As january approaches and grad school comes i beginning to think about what this means in reality as opposed to the symbolic prestige that is attached to it. In this past year its done very little for me but theoretically provide access to grad school (no funding)and collect dust as most of my employment the very little there has been has been by virtue of other skills. We attach loads of symbolic meaning to a degree in terms intelligence, expertise, the "final say" but the heaviest i would say is this idea of social mobility and financial security.

Consider this article

Here are the highlights

Furthermore, college graduates might earn more, but their higher earnings haven’t kept pace with the extra amount they’re now responsible for paying to go to college. People with bachelor’s degrees make 64 percent more than people without them. But that rate has been virtually the same since 2001, despite the fact that the cost of college has increased at twice the rate of inflation almost every year.

By some measures, recession has exacerbated the divide. The unemployment rate for workers 25-and-older with a bachelor’s degree or higher was 4.6% in August, for example, compared with 10.3% for those with just a high-school diploma. That’s a 5.7-percentage-point gap, compared with a gap of only 2.6 percentage points in December 2007 when the recession began.

school is costing more and netting less. Making MARKETABLE EDUCATION more and more of a privilege.

Even then should one obtain such a degree this recession and its aftermath has only exposed that it only makes you better suited to take advantage of scarce opportunities. Which make more education necessary hence grad school and more debt burden. The bachelor's degree is the new high school diploma. At least it is for me.

Which put me and my peers in a difficult position with a lot of questions. Where is the social mobility and financial security we were promised in middle and high school.

With the premium i place on being prepared i was doing my plan a plan b. For a moment i considered the armed forces. While some might be initially repulsed as i am every time i think about it. However resistant i may be to it, its still there. And if its there for me its there for many of my peers who may not have the options and advantages I do.

Consider the militarization of the dream act. Nothing feeds the war machine like poverty. And realistically ROTC and the money given to military members for education the ground work is laid for many only being able to achieve education through the war machine.

and before we get on our high horses ask yourselves...whos education have u supported so they wouldnt have to go to the military.

I think what scares me most are the things i might have to do to get by.

Quick note on November Elections and economy

2010-09-21T15:29:00.000-07:00

Voter anger stands to make the November elections very interesting.

Im fairly sure the dems are going to lose seats if not a result no progress on the economy, the return (for white people anyway) of the culture wars (islamaphobia, LBGTQ community, immigration) the inability of dems to promote success and unwillingness to go on the offensive against the reps. As well as the fact that some people just cant stand to have a black man in charge.

November will show whether or not the Tea Party Endorsement means anything. They have managed to get some folks past the primaries, but it pays to be extra in the primaries. And with the their extra conservative backing it could be signal of the changing face of conservatism. The media has done a particularly good job in painting them as a monolithic whole of racist idiots claiming to be victimized w/o knowing the meaning of the word and venting their anger at the wrong people (some of that may be more me than the actual media). All while holding on to idea that government any kind of federal government is bad (Ronald Reagan).

Btw white victimization and arguments about state rights (which is ultimately what veneration of Ronald Reagen is tantamount to) should make black people very nervous. Dr Claude Anderson would agree and add "when one says they are conservative...What is it that they are conserving?"

Im also beginning to wonder what are the legit plans for a economic recovery. B/c the new deal 2.0 isnt looking like a go. When you think about what FDR Had in terms of a strong manufacturing base, people with those particular skill sets and political environment, I dont see those things or even the financial ability of the governement with two active wars to do those things.

Class Warfare

2010-09-16T14:55:00.000-07:00

In my evening perusal of the various news outlets i ran across this piece of information from WorkingAmerica.org

source

Increasing income disparity in the US puts us worse than or on par with much of Latin America in that category.

A former economic advisor to George W. Bush and John McCain is advocating lowering the minimum wage.

Someone making $100 million per year pays a tax rate just two points higher than someone making $175,000 per year.

Wall Street bonuses are expected to rise this year.

Businesses with rising profits are not hiring more workers.

CEOs who lay off more workers get paid more.

Senator David Vitter represents a state where the average household income is $43,635, but he looks out at an audience and tells them that a plan to repeal a tax cut for households making more than $250,000 per year would affect “virtually everybody in this audience.”

Senator Jon Kyl is fighting to protect tax cuts to the wealthiest. He also fought to block an extension of unemployment benefits to struggling families in an attempt to get an estate tax bill that would benefit…you guessed it, the very wealthiest families.

55% of all adults in the workforce say that since the recession began they have been unemployed, had their pay cut or their hours reduced, or become involuntary part-time workers.

Former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay says jobless workers don’t go back to work because of unemployment benefits.

JPMorgan Chase pretty much agrees with DeLay.

i would encourage you to look through the links. Indeed, this is what class warfare looks like. Historically, Capitalism has never really been a whole lot of fun for the Diaspora. Slavery was economic it was free labor, post reconstruction Jim Crow segregation was economic and is apart of the continuing practice of locking the Diaspora out of the economic system and creating an underclass.

I personally have always viewed capitalism along with any other gov't institution or entity as a tool. Something to be manipulated by those in position. And as a result the focus for me as been how do we put ourselves in that position, because lets face it at this point its an inescapable reality of our existence here. With this recession showing me how vulnerable we really are, showing me how vulnerable i am to the fluctuations of a market that was put in peril by people who will be insanely rich irrelevent of the my condition, of our condition has really pushed me further toward smashing the whole fucking thing.

As the Owl of the Asylum would say. The only God in this country is Adam Smith. It way overdue for us to start making move on several levels.

Ernest Withers trusted Photographer of MLK Jr & FBI Cointelpro Informant

2010-09-14T16:11:00.000-07:00

Story Can Be Found Here

For those that aren’t aware Ernest Withers was THE ORIGINAL civil rights photographer. Responsible for taking the most famous pictures of the king movement. To hear that this man was an FBI informant for Cointelpro the Program that built around subverting black liberation human rights movements. Im am hurt to my fucking heart b/c journalist have a duty to protect their source and to humanize the demonized. Furthermore this was a black man in the movement and action i would give anything to have been apart of. This is the man who took the famous “I Am a Man” Sanitation strike Photos. How can such a man be in the midst of such a struggle and allow himself to be used like that.

Fuck man

Im not so naive to think that the 60's was the giant love fest of blackness b/c it wasnt. It was dangerous, deadly undertaking that required bravery and sacrifice that many couldn't muster. But b/c then the movement for us was so visible my mind simply can wrap around how this many could be privy to what he was privy to and still do what he did.

The facts arent all out as of yet, and Withers has passed and his side may never be told. Who knows what the FBI could be up to with this information. When u have situations like this you ask yourself the question who can u trust in serious movement towards black self determination.

sad day

I talked with my dad. Born in the 50s he came up watching all of these things. When I told him, his words where "that makes sense". I admit i was a lil surprised by his casual acknowledgement.

He went on to say that "'They' (Cointelpro & FBI) were trying to get anybody they could to infiltrate the black liberation movement. I distinctly remember having professors come in and watch us (my father attended the university of Florida was a member of Omega Psi Phi and a collegiate athlete in wrestling) talking about doing studies. Some even tried to recruit me and my friends. They were a danger to the status quo. What i want to know is what did they have on him, how where they threatening him."

Dad as usual comes through. Like i said whole story isnt out yet.

I Figure Yall Would Appreciate This...

2010-09-12T14:52:00.000-07:00

Encyclopedia of African History and Culture Volume i Ancient Africa Prehistory to 500 Ce

Encyclopedia of African History and Culture Volume II African Kingdoms 500 to 1500

Encyclopedia of African History and Culture Volume III From Conquest to Colonization 1500 to 1850

Encyclopedia of African History and Culture Volume IV the Colonial Era 1850 to 1960

Encyclopedia of African History and Culture Volume v Independent Africa 1960 to Present

Invisibility

2010-09-12T01:02:00.000-07:00

It has been my study and my observation that the experience of the African descended person in america is dominated by attempting to understand one's identity. This is necessary for any human being but especially for us b/c of the circumstances surrounding the African in the diaspora. Now i could go on for days about that particular topic but however as the topic is Invisibility i would like to deal what those circumstances produce in terms of lived experiences for us. As Ralph Ellison describes in his book

Invisibility is that product.

I am currently Invisible on several levels. I am invisible b/c I am a black man in the midst of white supremacy. I am a black man who refuses the mainstream definitions of value. My way of living make me Invisible to members of my family. Invisible among members of my community. For awhile I was even Invisible to myself.

This invisibility is frankly maddening. Much like the unnamed protagonist such invisibility manifested in my life as attempting to distinguish myself by my merits. I quickly learned that my merits meant little unless i allowed myself to be controlled and manipulated or held up as some fetish object to assuage the guilt of white people who are the heirs, protectors, and propagators of a oppressive past, present and foreseeable future. I was not me i was what was palatable for them.

My other option was to rebel which i did. For a time i reveled in and i mean reveled in a very anti-anything that wasn't black type of attitude. Understanding what I had been separated from, unraveling the lies that had formed the brick and mortar of my life up until that times was traumatic. I was angry, upset and filled with a burning need to know more. I became the protagonist's foil in Ras the Exhorter. As i began to mature if found there was a certain shallowness to that. Ras' invisibility instead of producing an attitude that would direct him to seek status and position within the ranks of an oppressive system. It sent him in the other extreme. In his intense desire to free and empower his people and through that ending his own visibility. However this came at the cost of the visibility of people who did not agree with him. Ras the exhorter essentially became what he was seeking to do away with. This too was unacceptable. And left me feeling fairly empty as i began to see the flaw in the attitudes of the brothers and sisters i had aligned myself with in the rejection of the norms in this society. To see how they were unwilling to deal with these flaw constructively and positively was a deep blow to me. Once again i was found in a situation where I was only welcome as long I made myself palatable

Once again Invisible b/c i dont fit realistically no one really should. That to me at least signals stagnation. But invisibility is a terrible price to have to pay. I recognize im not alone in this but its very easy to feel isolated. Make an effort to reach out to someone and make them know they are visible.

Cross Damon The DC Sniper and Omar Thornton

2010-08-11T02:56:00.001-07:00

Recently in the headlines we have all heard of Omar Thornton. If not Omar Thornton on august 3 went to his workplace a beer distribution center and shot 10 coworkers 8 of them fatally before and before taking his own life called 911 and described his actions to the operator as taking care of the racists in his workplace. His wife relayed that Thornton had complained about a racist environment before the killings.

As I was reading up on this story and the reasoning behind it the DC Snipers were brought to my recollection. John Allen Muhammed in particular due to his similar dissatisfaction with the antiblack environment in america as well as his plans to start some sort of pure black colony in canada.

now the name who recieved top billing in todays blog Cross Damon. Cross is a literary character from Richard Wright's novel The Outsider. Cross is connected to these other two men because he too is directly responsible for the death several people and in the end feels a justification or as lewis r. gordon puts it a sense of innocence about the whole thing.

Cross serves as a foil to Bigger Thomas in Wright's better known work Native Son where Bigger finds himself in a situation where doing the right and human thing could potentially get him killed because he is a black man (think Shirley Sherrod). In these characters we see Wright making a commentary about how black people who attempt to do the right thing and in that action asserting their humanity are problems in this society because the dominant narrative of black people does not allow for such a thing. so the society seeks to force them back into their construct of inhuman and all the while holding them responsible for their actions. (now granted then it was racism is okay) Essentially its an epistemic closure that allows the society to maintain a false reality. Cross Damon is the bigger thomas who stops caring. Displaying that there is a certain responsibility that comes with asserting onself as human and that the inhumanity espoused by this society cuts both ways.

Omar Thornton and the DC Sniper are Cross Damons. In our streets are Cross Damons. And our society seeks to deal with the symptom and not the root.

Now for me this is more than a "them" problem because for me so much of who what it is to be black on this landmass is about asserting that humanity the right to be uniquely us. If in struggle we lose our humanity we've missed the point. Now thats not to say that violence has no place in struggle. They are obviously shooting at us. But I'm not okay with being indiscrimnate in our aim or excessive in our force.

A plea to young black men: Stop killing :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: John W. Fountain

2010-08-07T20:54:00.000-07:00

A plea to young black men: Stop killing :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: John W. Fountain

Dear young black man, They used to come for us cloaked in white sheets and hoods under the cover of night. Today they come in black hoodies and ski masks, both by day and by night.

They used to carry our boys away from home, never to be seen alive again. They used to string us up until we dangled like strange fruit from poplar trees, dumped our bodies in murky rivers or beat us in lynch mobs beyond recognition by our own mothers.

Today, they carry us away in the trunks of cars, leave our young, strong and promising sons, brothers and fathers riddled with bullets, lying naked near railroad tracks, in alleys or fields. They come for us by murderous mob, gun down our young as they play outside, even our mothers, daughters at bus stops and our babies as they sit innocently in strollers.

Today, the carnage of their homicidal rampage has left an almost endless trail of bodies and bloodstained streets.

Except they used to be the Ku Klux Klan.

But today, they is you. Oh, young black man.

The Tuskegee Institute in Alabama recorded 3,446 lynchings of blacks from 1882 to 1968 -- the toll of 86 years. The toll of blacks murdered in Chicago alone over 18 years, from 1991 to 2009: nearly 9,500, and counting.

The numbers alone say you have put the Klan to shame in the killing of African Americans and the terrorizing of black communities. There is no other way to put it: You have become our -- your -- worst enemy.

It is not by any means the majority of you who are responsible for this fratricide that causes hearse wheels to roll through our neighborhoods like the wind blows.

There are many young brothers striving to keep the faith, living according to the law, seeking to give more than they take -- good, promising young men. My letter is not to you but to those who on the surface look like you -- those who have allowed evil and hatred to transform them into predators.

Dear brother, as a human being, it is a difficult tragedy to behold. As a black man, it is sometimes even more than I can bear.

So I write to you, amid news of the slaying of 13-year-old Robert Freeman, shot 13 times while riding his bike, and on the heels of nine people shot at a bus stop.

I write even as the dust settles upon the graves of the latest homicide victims, and in the midst of a long, hot and bloody summer in which the death bell will toll and toll again before its end.

I am writing because statistics show that you most often are our killers. Because young brothers involved in gangs, armed with guns, brazen and filled with rage and no regard for human life, are responsible for the gunfire that has transformed neighborhoods across America into terror zones fueled by urban tribal wars.

I write to you in the hope that, contrary to popular opinion, some of you do read, in hope that you might hear the plea of one whose cries reflect the agony of a nation.

So I beg you: Lay down your guns, for the sake of the children, for the sake of our people.

I write to tell you that real power is not in the taking of life but in the giving of life; to inform you that murder is pure evil, and also to share this truth: He that lives by the sword will surely die by the sword, and he who takes a life unjustly will surely have to answer -- in this life, or the next.

It isn't the white man who is making our dear mothers cry.

It's you, young black man.

And why?

How many of us have to die?

Signed with tears, your brother John.

If I Were President. Wyclef's Candidacy In Haiti

2010-08-07T08:26:00.000-07:00

This is a very complex situation. The political situation in Haiti was already a powder keg pre-earthquake. Now with elections forthcoming and the possibility of a Wyclef Presidency in the mix and the future of Haiti hanging in the balance this is a pretty vital time.

Now as usual, the context.

When we look at the structure of this election. We see that the Lavalas Party has banned from the election. The Lavalas party is the party of Jean Bertrand Aristide the ousted President of Haiti as a result of a coup d'etat led by the US, Canada, and France in 2004 in the way of that coup a UN army occupied the nation ever since. The following video displays how the UN Army and Puppet government installed there post coup have oppressed the people of Haiti

Now The Lavalas party being banned is significant because this party whenever it has been able to run has enjoyed overwhelming support of the Haitian people. Rene Preval who was formerly of the Lavalas Party was elected in 2006 when security conditions (read the UN and American forces murdering the people) did not allow Lavalas to run. This not to say that Aristide has clean hands. Although Aristide claimed to be a man of the people and promised to clean out the corruption that had plagued the Haitian people, Aristide stands accused of of the same corruption he sought to destroy. Aristide is accused of stealing stealing millions from the public treasury, Stealing Aid money, Aiding and abetting drug traffic, and extorting the business community. As well as utilizing fear and threats to maintain power.

according to William F. Jasper
"Through a series of "elections," coups, and counter-coups between 1991 and 2004 "Father Aristide" served as Haiti's president during three periods (February-September, 1991; October, 1994-February, 1996; February, 2001-February, 2004). After failing a non-confidence vote by Parliament in September, 1991, Aristide was deposed while outside the country (during a trip to the United Nations in New York). In 1994, President Bill Clinton re-installed "Tidid" as ruler of Haiti — at gunpoint, using the United States Army and Marines. After six months, the U.S. military forces turned the operation over to the United Nations Mission in Haiti (UNMIH), which was still composed, primarily, of U.S. troops."

We also know that the United States and the international community has its claws deep into Haiti. Bill Clinton especially because as president he is guilty of what the Haitian people called the "Plan of Death" that structurally adjusted Haiti's economy to that which was convenient for america. Which makes Clinton's Presence in Haiti presiding over the rebuilding all the more perverse.

How much of this information concerning Aristide is propaganda and how much of it is fact is an question i dont have the answer to. However the reality is there is alot of violence and corruption in Haitian Politics. There is alot of international meddling and manipulation of Haitian Politics. And as usual it is the everyday people who are suffering as a result. Let us not forget this is just the political context of an election occuring while Haiti is trying to rebuild from a massive earthquake.

Now concerning Wyclef's Presidency Announcement and Speech which according to this he has been contemplating since at least 2004

Wyclef attempted to paint himself as outsider candidate in Haitian Politics meaning a person who is outside of traditional politics as a man of the people. Said several times that he has been drafted by the youth population of Haiti to run for public office. He spoke that he wanted to bring the Haitian people together and that his focuses would be Infrastructure, Job creation, Education, Agriculture, Healthcare, and Security. Im cool w/ that (at least for now anyway there is still the question of how that needs to be addressed). He spoke on using his star power for Haiti's benefit, addressed (although unsatisfactorily) the YeleHaiti money mismanagement claims as well as expressing approval for Bill Clinton. I was particularly impressed with his desire to connect the Haitian people to the diaspora. I was hype when he said that.

Now here are my concerns. Being that CNN is an american news outlet primarily if not overwhelmingly seen by american people. Wyclef's appearance on Larry King is for us. Its an effort to legitimize his candidacy in our eyes. He said it himself he's interested in involving the diaspora is not opposed to using his star status in his campaign. This is problematic for me. The last thing Haiti needs is people outside of its population involved in its governance particularly given the history of international oppression of Haiti which Wyclef referenced as "what my people have gone through for 200 years". There is a concern that Wyclef's star power could cause him to fuction as a vessel for imperialist interests (particularly in the light of his residency status). He is after all actively soliciting international support. Which anywhere else would be political suicide. The situation with YeleHaiti is again large problem. I find difficult to find the logic in supporting a person for president who cant seem to manage their own charitable foundation. There are too many question around the money from YeleHaiti not getting to the people of Haiti. I donated that fund. I would like some answers. The banning of a political party in a "democratic political process" particularly of the most popular party and party whose members have been made political prisoners following the 04 coup is a huge issue and in the eyes of many make this election illegitimate all together. At this time, I'm inclined to agree with that sentiment.

I'm all for a man wanting to help his people. I'm even more for a man utilizing his resources to help his people. I don't see anything wrong with a man going after a dream. But lets remember this is politics. And the Haitian people cannot, I REPEAT CANNOT afford poor leadership, cannot afford corruption. Haiti Must be for the Haitian people.

Thoughts on Black Identity & Community

2010-07-26T14:11:00.000-07:00

this is by no means exhaustive. just some thoughts

Form what i can see at this juncture, the single biggest issue my community is the one of identity. (realistically for any human identity is major but especially for oppressed groups). The unique historical and social reality of the american black person as left us a people w/o a land except one that clearly considers us outside of definition of human. Part of an oppressed people coming oppressive system is the redefining if not out right destruction the social structures that have propagated. At least that what Fanon says (i happen to agree). This is rebellion in its essence. Rebellion being defined in basic as a rejection and replacement of cultural values of which government its a product.

However w/ my people we have been stripped of the basis of what is needed to rebel. And that is a cultural memory of something better. This erasure was purposeful.

Step One has to be reclaiming who we are. After all these centuries of separation the american black has developed into an ethnicity all its own. We have adopted the philosophical underpinnings and have attempted to use it to make America better. Essentially trying convince the dominant group to include us in what is human into what is american. If you're asking a person to recognize your humanity you're giving the option to say no. That "NO" has resounded greatly as of late.

Now there seems to be this divide b/w continental Africans and diasporic Africans. I had a heated argument based on this same issue a few weeks back. I think it stems from either side not completely understanding what it is they have. I think diasporic Africans in America have to understand the privilege we have economically and socially (which is alot in comparison) to other areas of the world and invest into tracing our heritage and finding our tribes and specific origin. The continental africans and african descended folks from places like the Caribbean who have been ruling themselves for a considerable amount of time is that the is an enormous level of oppression on a psychological and economic level that is often not seen or understood even by the folks living here. An inability for us to understand each other who share the same heritage in the end hurts all of us. B/c this system of government and thought processes in this nation do not see nationality they see non white.

I Would Take A Nap on a Good News Day

2010-07-20T20:47:00.001-07:00

First and Foremost wtf is snookered?

For those of you that dont know Shirly Sherrod was forced to resign by the White House as a result of some comments of hers from a video clip regarding her experiences in the USDA that suggested she refused to help a white farmer b/c he was white. Now this video clip was posted by conservative blogger conservative blogger Andrew Breitbart.

Now this is politics 101. I am unsurprised by the practice of taking comments out of context to create a negative buzz around a person. Its called spin. However this is also a textbook case of exploiting racial fear as well and again I am unsurprised. Creating this idea of white victimhood (which is bullshit) is what conservative politics is all about (not to mention that liberal politics is unwilling to confront the underlying ideologies of white supremacy/victimology) . However what i am surprised by is the lack of intellectual foresight and the subsequent cowardice displayed by the NAACP.

Fox News and reality let alone accuracy are even in the same dimension so how can an organization that is the SELF PROCLAIMED Nat'l association for colored people take anything that Fox News has to say at face value w/o any vetting. Did we not learn w/ Rev. Wright. And them as opposed to admitting that they (NAACP) made a mistake. Using Fox News as a scape goat is super weak. In a rush to not seem like hypocrites after condemning the Tea Party (read as the 50-11 organizations w/ the tea party in their name) for its racism they make themselves look like idiots. Lets be frank in the public eye mistakes like these cannot happen.

Now we have all this ruckus and the black farmers who won that settlement haven't been paid yet... http://n.pr/apQfha

any ways here is the remix of sherrods words

and here is the complete version unedited

On Rick Sanchez she took ya boy Roland Martin to the woodshed lol

I'm having issues with "Black People Are the Original Children of Israel"

2010-07-11T10:15:00.000-07:00

Correct me if im wrong but the Jews trace the beginnings of their culture to Abraham and Moses. Now In old testament Moses is said to have been and Kemetic (ancient egyptian) prince as he was adopted into the royal family after being found on the nile river. After awhile saw dipped out of kemet saw the burning bush so on, so on, im sure yall know the story. After leading the hebrews out of bondage into the land of Canaan after some 40 years in the desert.

Now where is Canaan. Canaan encompasses modern-day Israel, Lebanon, the Palestinian territories and adjoining coastal lands, including parts of Jordan, Syria and northeastern Egypt. In the Hebrew Bible, the “Land of Canaan” extends from Lebanon southward across Gaza to the “Brook of Egypt” and eastward to the Jordan River Valley.

Now As per the late great John G. Jackson Author of Intro to African Civilizations. The biblical individual known as Moses was a Kemetic Priest know as Moshe. Moshe was the head priest of the cult of Aton that was brought to prominence under Pharaoh Amenhotep IV. Amenhotep IV is know as a heretic b/c he banned the worship of all other Kemetic Goddesses and Gods in favor of Aton. In kemetic cosmology Aton is the physical disk of the Sun (Kemet as a fairly complicated system of sun worship). Amenhotep IV (who changed his name to Akhenaten in worship and recognition of Aton) is the father of all monotheistic religious practices. After Amenhotep IV was killed and the cult of Aton disestablished and the previously banned Goddesses and Gods of Kemet were restored, Moshe lead the followers of Aton out of kemet and into Palestine.

This information at minimum would denote that the original jews were black and products of Kemet. Which means they arent children of Israel they are children of Kemet. Which would make them African.

Now because black People were around LONG before the term Israel existed (thanx @7odsquad), to say that black people are the original people are Israel is a huge misnomer. It would lead black people to think that they are something other than African people.

oh and cop this http://www.amazon.com/Introduction-African-Civilizations-John-Jackson/dp/0806521899

Sarcasm

2010-07-09T13:46:00.000-07:00

Prosecuting Attorney David Stein: When you said those words [angrily shouting “bitch-ass n——r!” twice into Oscar Grant’s ear while arresting him], did you intend to challenge him in any way?

Arresting Officer Anthony Pirone: No. It was sarcasm.

(via) the San Fran cronicle

im a peaceful and compassionate man. Im really not interested in taking lives. I feel as though if it comes to such a situation there has been a failure on both sides to be human. But when a Oscar Grant can be handcuffed laying face down and surrounded by cops have racial epithets thrown at him and then shot in the back all recorded on videotape. And it only amounts to Involuntary Manslaughter. What Choice have have i left but to take action in a manner that makes it absolutely clear that Police terrorism will equal police death.

I didnt ask for this war. But im not going to take shots w/o returning fire.

Videotaping isnt enough the Oscar Grant Verdict has shown that. From the judges to the beat cop there is a wall of navy blue. They protect each other while they play fast and loose with our lives. A part of me wants to think that there are good cops but how can i tell when they all stand together. Police Terrorism is systemic. Good or bad when they chose a uniform they chose a side. A side that targets us.

we have no expectation to justice unless we make it ourselves.

Thoughts on Black Masculinity

2010-07-06T08:57:00.000-07:00

The aftermath of the Tyler Perry/Boondocks thing really got me thinking about black masculinity and homosexuality. Particularly b/c my issue w/ Tyler Perry initially begins with his crossdressing in light of the media’s penchant for emasculating black men. As evidenced in men on film from w/ in living color, to wong foo thanks for everything, Martin Lawrence’s portrayal of shenaynay and his on screen mother, wanda by jamie foxx, Geraldine by flip wilson. These portrayals upset me because they are visual representations of how black men are kept from being men. Whether it is a result of overprotective mothers stifling male growth for fear of their safety, absentee fatherhood, mass targeting by police for incarceration which has economic consequences prevent the ability to provide or receive the education necessary to be economically competitive.

Now this brings three distinct thoughts to my mind.

Obviously being separated from our home cultures and mixed into the american mess. The black communities ideas of Manhood have been heavily informed by whiteness which is heavily patriarchal in comparison with traditional african societies. And frankly if i wanted to divide a group people for the purposes of keeping them subservient what better way than to create a model of gender roles that is nearly impossible to maintain for the oppressed group. Take the idea of the male provider for example, that says the best man provides for all the needs of the household is something that is critical to what is considered masculine (particularly as that informs male power) however in these economic times and in the age of women becoming increasingly empowered this mode of thought is outdated yet fiercely held onto. It is especially damaging for the black community where many men have been for a variety of reasons prevented and excluded from economic participation by design of the system and yet there are many sisters who exclude men from their dating pool based soley on this premise and then call themselves feminists/womanists and huge contradiction.

then there is the social reality that being called gay when u are straight is an attack on a man’s masculinity. Which begs the question can a gay man still be masculine. It seems that it is the idea of some people that this is impossible. Now i personally know that who one is intimate with has nothing to do with whether a person is a man or not. Biologically speaking a penis and testicles is all it takes. But again we are talking social realities and it is inconsistent to suggest that a man is made a man by who he fucks and yet lesbians and bi sexual women can still considered feminine when they engage in same sex relations (as often female/female relationships are often depicted for strictly male consumption and lets be frank i’ve never seen butch lesbian porn although quantum porn physics would deliniate that by my mere mention of it, it now exists with a fiercely loyal following.) Thus as far as i am concerned a man’s masculinity is not informed by who he intimate with and i dont know one woman who thinks its attractive for a man to define himself through his sexual conquests because it turns women into trophies instead of divine people. Not to mention the rate of stds.

Another thing that i found interesting is that my analysis of Tyler Perry, Martin Lawrence, David Alan Grier, Damon Wayans, Flip Wilson, and Wesley Snipes’ feminine portrayals is through my lens as a straight black male. I wonder how these roles are perceived by Gay black Men. Where i may see a black man in a dress and bothered by that due to parallels that can be drawn to stifling of black masculinity they might see just an ugly woman. Or for example in to wong foo a role model in terms of expressing their sexuality (as gender is considered much more of a fluid concept in LBGTQ communities some cultures even makes provisions for a third gender i.e Hawai’i). I find this to be a conversation worth having.

These lines of thought bringing me to the conclusion that the way we gender roles and gender in general have to be seriously examine in terms of the relationships that people get involved with as well as these things mean in terms of the survival of the black community. Although we are not nor have ever been a monolithic community we are still connected and will have to depend one another for our progression as a people in this nation. Such a thing cannot be done unless we are willing to delve into understanding not only ourselves but also each other.

discuss

Couldnt Have Said it Better Myself

2010-07-04T12:13:00.001-07:00

Check out the Owl's asylum "For The July Bombs Bursting In Air...A Rich Man's Story" http://bit.ly/dj2sXb

TP vs Boondocks

2010-07-01T05:23:00.000-07:00

my distaste for Tyler Perry productions is well known. I hate the fact that he cross dresses b/c it effeminizes black men. There is a long tradition of black men having to dress up like women in order to be successful. Its a horrible indignity that he contributes to and as a student of theater Tyler Perry should know better. That and he promotes a certified coon in the character Mr. Brown again as a student of theater he should know better. The two things make Tyler Perry Completely Unsupportable to me.

Now The episode clowns the eff out of Tyler Perry but there is a distinct anti gay tone to the episode as is generally the deal with Riley but even more so in this episode particularly but thats what the character Riley is intended to represent. Now i bring it up because i really dislike the idea that a man is made a man on the basis of who he has sex with and how much he has sex and this is the basis of the backlash on Tyler Perry Suing talking about him being exposed and calling TP gay. Which to me begs the question so what if he is does it matter Why are we still so anti gay.

And lets be real i know he doesn’t like his masculinity called into question as at least in his mind he thinks he doing something positive. And then you have the anti Christian stans the boondocks stans and the TP stans. Fact is, its all speculation. Reality is TP is flexing his muscle and his influence cuz he didnt like what was said. Which is one the risks run when u do satire. If your doing a good job your going to piss somebody off.

A Dance Routine is Not Enough

2010-06-29T03:38:00.000-07:00

for those of you masochistic enough to watch the BET awards or network news I'm sure u've heard about the following.

Chris Brown breaks down and cries during the Man in the Mirror performance. Rendered unable to even sing. For the forgiving this event was a sincere expression of being truly moved by Michael Jackson's music, in particular how Man in the Mirror pertains to the necessary self reflection and (we hope) correction of the mind that said it was okay to put hands on a woman. Perhaps even CB fulfilling a childhood dream and just being awe at the moment he was in, performing in the spirit of someone he looks up to. For the less forgiving this event was a pretty piece of theater.

Now as i sit back and mull this over in my mind. I realize that had Rhianna been any woman i knew there would have been no forgiveness for him. There is a part of me that says there is no forgiveness for Chris Brown just off the strength of the inherent divinity of women. However, all my ways are not perfect and i regularly account for my deficiencies and so I understand seeking redemption.

But a dance routine invoking the spirit of Michael Jackson is not enough. If Chris Brown truly seeks redemption and forgiveness he needs to publicly confront this situation apologize to the fans, to Rhianna, to her family and to his family. Not mention working heavily with domestic abuse foundations. Chris Brown is popular singer who is marketed primarily to female teenagers as a heart throb. For those unfamiliar with the music business many artists are given what called a package. The package is a certain identity and image the industry people want the artist to emulate (so much for being real, right?). Chris Brown's package and marketing and the subsequent forgiveness the BET awards is going to win him sincere or not portrays what i find to be a very dangerous to those young girls who admire him. The idea that appearing sorry or remorseful is equal to being sorry or remorseful. That dont even out.

Chris you have a long long way to go in my eyes.

Another thing that interested me was the mass media coverage of this situation. I cant help but recall how quickly white celebrities are forgiven or in some cases elevated for their moral shortcomings and yet CNN tough talks on Chris Brown seemingly out of the blue.

and if you still listening to R.Kelly kill urself.

Is This Okay?

2010-06-23T18:26:00.000-07:00

so Ciara makes a song about her ability to ride dick. And now I'm contemplating where do we draw the line between the celebration of the feminine body and and just being plain inappropriate.

On 1 hand sexual repression and the idea that a woman should not control of her body (abortion for example) is a problem for me. Thus i feel as those a woman has the right to express herself in such a manner but on the other hand ain't no way in the world i would want my daughter or my son watch something like that if i had a child. To me it portrays sex in a profoundly superficial manner. Which brings me to musicians as a whole following this logic there is much of anybody who i can accept. Im rather annoyed w/ Men for creating the market for such foolishness and women for lowering themselves to that level.

While i can admire the talent cant really cosign the application..

thoughts?

Revelations

2010-06-20T20:09:00.000-07:00

i walked away from religion and dogmatic thought practices several months ago. It was a harrowing effort in bringing my emotional connection to church under the reign of logic and historical fact. Long painful many nightmares.

In any case i stopped going to church after going through all of that it church seemed like a colossal waste of time and I'm not a morning person anyway. Every once in awhile (which would amount to twice since i renounced) i do sneak in to check on folks for reasons that will be explained later. Either way when ever i do pop in i keep a fairly robust inner monologue of sarcasm, historical references, and disagreements. My erudition simply wont allow me to by in. Thus me popping in becomes an anthropological exercise.

I went today mostly because it the Sunday where they recognize the college and high school graduates and let them talk and honor their parents and everyone that had a hand in raising them and helping them get to graduation. My little sister was among them so i was front and center no complaints. Now for those that don't know my parents are both ministers and my mother was delivering the sermon. Being there as a part of the service and sitting square in the center of the amen corner i couldn't hide and my inner monologue eventually gave way.

Truth is i miss the place and the people. I was the church baby coming up. Every time i go i get stories of i remember you when (insert memory here). That church was not my second home, but my first one. Those are people to feed me, showed up at my sporting events, had my back when butting heads w/ my parents, sent me care packages in undergrad, and were willing to inconvenience themselves to do something for me. And did so with a smile. I may have major issues with their beliefs systems. But they love me regardless. Enough for me to be the subject of many an intercessory prayer session over the destination of my eternal soul.

In that building for me there is love there. An energy i have not found reciprocated in my forays in to the "Conscious" community. Which renders the rhetoric of loving our people and helping them find their home and unity impotent and hollow. The predominant narrative as i have experienced it we love you if u think like me. The appreciation of epistemological independence geared toward the effort of becoming better beings is HEAVILY LACKING. Granted I'm still fairly new to this thing I'm sure the that community will develop however at the moment I'm frankly disappointed.

I found myself in that service sad for 2 reasons. 1st here are my people. People that i know personally and love dearly, prostrating themselves and professing an unshakable belief in a concept of "God" that has been not only molded to their detriment and founded upon a corruption of traditional indigenous African knowledge. 2nd i am more loved and affirmed here in the absence of truth than i am in the presence of people who are looking for truth and understand what I'm going through.
I supposed i should have expected it but if you really expect folk who claim to be allies, comrades, friends to knife you then the reality is that u don't have any.

What's more there are many people who struggle same as me but the nastiness, condescension and outright contempt of some conscious folk is so off putting it defeats the purpose to which we so valiantly clamor for. In my observation its a combination of bitterness and immaturity that disallows a person from separating the construct (Christianity in this case) from the individual person (the Christian). Being a former Christian myself i understand all to well what its like and thus my compassion. For i know intimately the pain that comes with it. What i needed was not some snide self aggrandizing fool but someone to care enough to point me in the direct of the proper information so i could make a decision.

For many of us, our actions are inconsistent with our aims. Fix that shit because you are hurting our community

Do We Have To Start Killing the Police for them to have respect for our lives.

2010-06-18T20:29:00.000-07:00

Many of us have thought it. Im saying it.

Folks imma be honest. Im not a killer. I wasnt raised that way. I would hate to be brought to the point where thats a decision i have to make. I want to think there are officers out there that are "good cops" protecting and serving the entire community. However we see things like this

or This

or these [link]

And are finding these cops are still on the force the justice system fighting for these people to stay on the police force. And few if any convictions at all you begin to wonder what exactly does it take. For me the frustration is incalculable to know in the eyes of the police your life as a black person is seen as less than ur white neighbor and thats when i think about the families who were directly effected who had to bury a loved one an watch a killer go free. To the victims who have survived but now have to look over their shoulder.

I am reminded of a lecture i once attended when i was in undergrad given by Bro. Ashanti who spoke on the Black Liberation Army. I remember Bro. Ashanti saying that for every 1 of us that they brutalized or killed the BLA took 2 of them. Thats when the brutality stopped.

I've spent alot of my time thinking about solutions to deal with the police. Knowing the law, not attracting police attention, community police watch, community policing. Sometimes i think if they continue to to take our lives we gotta start taking lives back. Its a horrible thing to think and to me someway forfeits a piece of my own humanity. But i feel like its coming to just that.

with the Oscar Grant Trial underway the Aiyana Jones investigation underway. I hope to see justice done.

Are Our Discussions Appropriate or even Accurate?

2010-06-12T04:42:00.000-07:00

so im up late as usual. However this time its not due to insomnia via late night reading, anime, or writing. Its due to the fact my lil sister is graduating high school on Sunday and from the 6 schools in her school district only 30 black males are graduating with a grade point average of 3.0 of better. Being a product of these schools myself needless to say i have been unable to find sleep.

I think about the thing going on in my world a 7 year old named Aiyana Brown is in the ground due to police brutality, a 17 year old Jerean Blake is in the ground because of a look, the oil spill in the gulf, and yet another black man dragged to death in Anthony Hill

i then examine my conversations and those of others that i have been privy to...folks im sorry to say it aint balancing out.

Among the company i keep I am finding (much to my dismay) that our conversations are amounting to shit. Simply serving to edify our own ideological/moral positions as opposed to translating to something that produces tangible results. To be perfectly honest by that standard my musings here dont measure up.

Not that I'm writing some tome of black salvation. Mostly I'm writing the tome of my own salvation. Helps me keep up with my perspective so i can remain consistent and refine over time. But in the end if whats here is not translating into viable solutions and uplift for my brother and sisters, then clearly my focus is misplaced and I'm not doing enough. Being that I pride myself on being a solutions type of dude this is a problem.

The Fruitless and Frivolous have got to stop. We/I gotta start acting w/ some ruthless practicality

The evolution of a "tea party" was pretty much inevitable

2010-06-10T15:54:00.001-07:00

Now a while back i did a post called the Tea party is all about race (which can be found here) in which i linked an article by Bob Cesca (which can be found here)

The crux of the argument being the lynch pin for the Tea party is race and their populist platform and intense dislike of Obama is inconsistent with Obama's policy efforts and the unexplainable non existence of such outcry when George W. Bush was in office doing exactly the things the tea party is now protesting against that Obama is trying to ameliorate in their favor.

Now Check this visual aid out

Thanx @BeautyNubian and @DiggsWayne

The existence of a Tea party shouldn't be all that surprising because crisis breeds crazy. This again reaffirms the racial underpinning. Despite what the law says the ideology the United States is built upon that allowed for the existence of slavery that allowed for the existence for a segregation and that allows for the institutional racism of the police schools lending agencies republican and democratic parties still exists. Any notion of equality harmony or post racialism simply cannot exist in such an ideology.

Even if we excise that piece of political history. The republican party's use of racial fear mongering and other methods of exploiting the racist undercurrent. That undercurrent is a product of the legal successes of the civil rights movement that also destroyed the democratic voting coalition established by FDR. Which overtime created this Ultra Conservatives which burst forth in the form of the Tea Party. As far as what the tea party mean outside of revealing prevailing white supremacist male heterosexual ideologies, The tea party can have two effects. It can put the republicans in a negative situation because by virtue of their base is splitting or at the least pushing the party farther to the right which would alienate moderates and independents or function as motivation to their republican base. November will tell

A Short Record of Police Brutality

2010-06-09T23:34:00.000-07:00

Miami Florida 1989
Clement A Lloyd 23 year old black motorcyclist shot fataly by William E Lozano Police officer Passenger Alan Blanchard age 24 died of injuries sustained when the motorcycle crashed. Lozano was aquitted Source1 Source2

Detroit Michigan 1992
Malice Green was killed by two white police officers that kicked and punched him after he refused to obey their orders. Green was beat about the head and neck 14 times with a heavy flashlight. Green Suffered a seizure and died on the way to the hospital. Cops sentenced to 7 to 15 years. Source1

PG county Maryland 1993
24 year old black man Archie Elliot was shot 14 times by 2 white officers while handcuffed with his hands behind his back as he sat in a police cruiser. Source1

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 1995
Following a Traffic stop, white Pittsburgh police killed Johnny Gammage. He was beaten and stomped to death. for driving suspiciously. Source1

Brookyln, NY 1996

Aswan Watson a 23 year old black man shot 23 times by 2 undercover cops claimed he was in a stolen car and he reached for something. Watson was unarmed and eyewitnesses report that Watson had his hands raised when the policemen approached him.

New York City 1997
Kevin Cedeno 16 years old was shot and killed by an officer that claimed he lunged at him w/ a machete. The Medical report indicated that Cedeno was shot in the back. Source1

New York City 1997
Albert Louima a hatian immigrant was sodomized with a broken off broom handle and then it was placed in his mouth and suffered internal injuries all while his hands were handcuffed behind his back. This was done by multiple officers. 1 officer was sentenced to 30 years

Trenton New Jersey 1998
White NJ Cops shot 3 of 4 black men at a traffic stop. This occured after they were handcuffed and had to lie in a ditch and were strip searched. Troopers alao falsified records to cover it up. The case was thrown out of court due to "over- zealous" procecutors set up a "minitrial" and violated the troopers constitutional rights. Source1

Broward County, Florida 1998
Grand jury would not indict a ft Lauderdale cop of wrongdoing in the beating of a schizophrenic man John Clements that was caught on tape by 2 polish tourists. Source1 <----There are several other cases on this link as well

New York City 1999
Amadou Diallo Shot and Killed by 4 NYC cops fired 41 times at unarmed Diallo hitting him 19 times. Several Blullets hit as Diallo was falling or when he was on the ground. 1 of the bullets even hit the bottom of his shoe. The Family got a 3 million dollar settlement.

Riverside California 1998
Tyisha Shenne Miller was shot and killed by 2 white officers. She was unconsious in a car at a gass station w/ a gun in her lap. Doors and windows lock so cops bust in the windows to get her gun. They fired 24 rounds hitting 12 times when she woke up and reached for her gun. After the shooting witnesses report tha the officers made racist comments and high fived each other. Source1 Source2

St Louis 2000
EArly Murray and Ronald Beasly were surrounded by several police agencies in daylight at a jack in the box. They tried to pull away and the two officers pump 20 shots into the car under the pretext of a drug investigation. Beasely was not a suspect. Source1 <--also contains several other cases of police brutality by ST. Louis Police

Cincinnati, Ohio 2001
Officer Stephen Roach shoots and kills 19 year old unarmed Timothy Thomas. Roach Charged w/ negligent homicide and was acquitted. Thomas was the 5 black male killed since 2000 in Cincinnati and the 15th since 1995. Source1

New Jersey 2002
A white officer mistook the identity of Kindra Wright a black woman. The Trooper handcuffed her and lifted her by her hair, punched her in the face and threw her to the ground. Wright recieved a $800000 settlement. Source1

Inglewood California 2002
Office Jeremy Morse was caught on tape slamming a 16 year old Donovan Jackson-Chavis on a squad car and punching him in the face. His Partner Bjorn Darvish indicted for filing a false police report. A mistrial declared. Source1

Columbus Georgia 2004
Local Seriffs special unit target 4 black men in an upscale model SUV as possible drug suspects. Men were dragged from the vehicle had to lay on the side of a major interstate one of sheriffs shot one of the men Kenny walker in the in the head. All 4 Men were college graduates with clean records. Source1

Alton Illinois 2004
Black Woman reports that police kicked down her door and entered her home with no warrant and chocked her 14 year old son because they suspected someone in the house had stolen a car. Action justified by the use of the terry stop case 1968 US Supreme Court. Source1

New York City 2004
White Officer killed 19 year old Timothy Stansbury who was unarmed. He had no police record. Source1 Source2

St. Louis Missouri 2004
St. Louise cops fired 28 shots at a fleeing car following a traffic stop. Carrying a man his wife and 3 children. The officers argue they did not know. However they got into an discussion with the driver and ordered him out of the car and somehow did not see the wife an three children.

California May 2005
13 California Sheriffs shoot at a black motorist 120 times. Police had suspected Winston Hayes, 44, of involvement with a previous shooting, but it was later learned that he was not involved. After a brief pursuit, Hayes' vehicle lurched and struck a police car. That's when the deputies opened fire. Four bullets hit Hayes, who was hospitalized. A deputy was hit by a round and bruised. source1

October 2005 New Orleans
2 Officers suspended for beating a 64 year old school teacher. Videotape showed one officer hitting the man 4 times on the head and another officer kneeing and punching him. source1

I provided this SHORT history here as proof of what happens when we are negligent in protesting and fighting against things that are wrong, more people die. More people Like Aiyana Jones and Oscar Grant. Police brutality isn't new, we are all aware of how power can corrupt and in a white supremacist society such power is deadly to black people. Needless to say we need to become more active in perusing actions and methods of safe guarding ourselves.
-----
many of the cases found here i first found in this book *link*

Reactionary Gender Argument....

2010-06-08T12:57:00.000-07:00

Slim thug proved he was an idiot

but there is a deeper issue behind his comments. Concerning the contiual anti black women slights that are seen in the everyday. However...

She said everything that i wanted to discuss

The title of the article is "Do We Really Want A New Black Man"

Discussing the contradictions women have in attempting to engage in relationships and negotiating gender roles.

Now i realize some of are saying wtf about me linking an article that is somewhat (and a necessary) critical look at black womanhood when slim thug dissed us. I understand i am not here to validate slim thug. I am here to speak to the constant social reality that assaults black womanhood and i feel that black women have to take control of that argument take control of that discussion and raising the bar. In that same argument Men who are truly men must do so along with them and hold their friend to that standard. Until we invest into each other its gonna be rough.

Thats Willie Lynch for you. Self hate on display

The Black Authenticity Paradigm

2010-06-07T11:13:00.000-07:00

So i've been mulling this around my head for quite sometime. I've really been searching for a model a community i could get with. After leaving religion and gaining some understanding of my history, which opened my eyes to some very critical realities concerning who our friends are and who are enemies are in a historic and contemporary sense. And after months and months of searching study and intensely frustrating moments of clarity i've begun to gain some headway on this. And just a heads up will be speaking from the context of the black person in america.

Now in the arguments of black authenticity i often see 3 critical issues neglected the first is the sheer scope of blackness, the second is the sheer scope of black cultural destruction, and the third is the unique situation of the black person in america.

Issue 1. First of we have to qualify blackness In american diaspora we have 2 blacks. We have the Noun form and the Adjective form. Now we have a noun form because we are the diaspora violently separated from our respective groups and force to create something new. that something new is the noun form Black. And being a lil less than connected to the rest of the world some of us dont realize that that other "Black People" do not call themselves black. They refer to themselves by their ethnic denominations (ashanti, azande, bantu, etc). Now In the book Intro to African Civilizations by John G Jackson we know that the term ethiopian comes from the Greeks. Ethiopian is a greek term for burnt faces greek word for burnt being "ethios" and face being "ops". Jackson also tells us that Homer and Herodotus claimed that these burnt face people were the inhabiters of The Sudan, Egypt, Arabia, Palestine, Western Asia, and India and all were referred to as Ethiopians. So you have asiatic and african black people and there is still a debate going on from which group the first civilization began..But they were indeed black. From this point forward one can see the the breadth of blackness. Blackness as simply done it all. To put constraints on what it can and cant be is anti historical.

Issue 2. The scope of black cultural destruction is enormous. The records of our history were lost in large part due to the destruction of our libraries at timbuktu alexandria and carthage, the constant remixing of black heritage by eurocentric scholars, enslavement removing our people from their native cultures and thus in the process untold cultures were lost, all of these things separated from who we are and thats just on the african side what was lost on the asiatic side of things is unknown. Now this destruction means that what information we have has to be pieced together that leaves alot of room for error and misinterpretation. Some things are lost to us forever. Which brings to issue 3.

Issue 3. The unique situation of the black person in america. As i said in the beginning of Issue 1. Black people here in america have existed in isolation from their heritage. Now Frantz Fanon states in Black Skin White Masks that the first step a colonized group must do is redefine the society around them. Because the society that currently exists is one of oppression. Now as a result of instead of the colonizers coming to us. They brought us to them, so as chattel slavery was abolished we were not able to redefine the society around us. And the hostile and inhumane treatment of black people in america alone is enough to prove Fanon's assertion. Without self determination a standard to be authentic to cannot be set.

These 3 issues to me obliterates any discussion of collective authenticity particularly issue #3. However what we do have however are several groups out here attempting to establish such a paradigm. To me these groups represent various schools of thought. However the thing about it is not everybody is going to think the same. And the oppression does not give a damn about our respective schools of thought. So it makes sense to (mostly by my neutrality in this school of thought thing)work in favor of what is all of our best interest. At this time self determination would be that interests.

Thus if i had to point out something by which to measure black authenticity by in the context of the black in america. I think we would best be served if that measuring stick would be movement towards self determination.

Or we can sit around and keep calling everybody who dont think like us agents.

For Aiyana

2010-06-03T23:14:00.000-07:00

*press play and pause the other music over there ================>

For Aiyana

Somedays i feel like i dont deserve to have fun

Still kinda trippin over this 7 year old with a gunshot

Wound in her head which was supposed to be her neck

but we know haow the police are they generally dont fact check

no no no not over no black death

rather sweep it under the rug put all that to rest

Im smart enough to expect it cuz the evil i can detect it

But the babies, they supposed to be protected

Once again we neglected; talking about "what imma do"

But talking didnt pan out of my brother Amadou

New York City Nineteen ninety nine

So many black before and Aiyana latest behind

And let us not forget about our brother Jerean

Who died by our hands the insecurity of another man

Who aint like his look so his life he took

And so did we cuz we too shook

Too shocked too scared higher vision impaired

And all we need is for black people to care

About how to want what we need how to protect our see

First things first we gotta understand we are WE; I AM YOU

This is true and i wish we'd catch a clue

Before them boys in blue take another from me and you

(copyright) Isaac Holloway

Wishing Palestine and Gaza The Best...

2010-06-02T22:04:00.000-07:00

I got into a "Why Dont I Support Palestine more" discussion..

Truthfully my thoughts are with Palestine and Gaza i wish them well. Israel did an evil thing (huge surprise) in this raid and i hope they are held accountable (frankly Israel got set up for the okey doke and took the bait).

I hate all oppression however my time and resources go my people first. For much the same reason the Palestinians time and energy goes to the blockade of Gaza. My point that there is an educational and organizational standard that has to be met before we can link up with other anti oppression struggles.

This is where the issue began..the bolded was what was missed

Her standpoint was that my standpoint was tantamount to not caring about the people of Palestine and not recognizing the sameness of our struggles for liberation. Thus creating this vacuum where nobody struggles but us and thus ignoring potential allies.

Now she is right, there is a great deal of sameness. However the reality is i have yet to hear Palestinian outcry over Aiyana Jones or about the black struggle in america or about the shitty treatment of black people by the arab world in northern Africa. Maybe its because they don’t know or maybe its because they have more pressing issues. Fact is the geography matters and un-blockading Gaza doesn't equal a tangible win for struggling black folks. That doesn't mean I don't care it means i don't see us spending resources and time that could be better invested here in our communities to build awareness about our inability to self determine. We cannot live in a vacuum or turn our backs on the pain of others because oppression is simply wrong. But we also have to be intelligent about how we spend our time and resources in attacking oppression. We simply cant do everything.

Follow @OscarGrantTrial on twitter

2010-06-02T12:49:00.000-07:00

its live updates on the trial of Mehserle for the murder of Oscar Grant

Stuff You Can do for Aiyana

2010-05-28T10:32:00.000-07:00

Dept of Justice Mail

Atty General Eric H. Holder

U.S. Department of Justice

950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20530-0001

Phone: Attorney General, Eric H. Holder, Jr.,(202) 514-2001

Twitter @Justice4Aiyana

Flyer Link: http://bit.ly/9bosui

Print it and Distribute

Email requests for #Justice4Aiyana Flyers & Hard Copy Petitions to justiceforaiyana@gmail.com

Petition is www.petitionspot.com/aiyanajones

GET TO WORK!!!!!

Another Chance for Action

2010-05-27T14:56:00.001-07:00

Dear friends,

On Wednesday, Rand Paul, the GOP's US Senate candidate for Kentucky repeated his claim that a central piece of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was wrong, and that businesses should be free to discriminate against whomever they please.¹ Paul and his supporters don't seem to care that without federal intervention, Black people might still be second-class citizens in most aspects of American life: where we eat, where we work, even where we live.

Then, on Thursday, FOX contributor and business anchor John Stossel went even further than Paul and called for the section of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that applies to business to be repealed.² And he's refused to back down.

It's time to hold FOX accountable:

http://www.colorofchange.org/stossel/mm/?id=1539-1229412

While Rand Paul may have started this outrage, he can be taken care of at the ballot box — FOX News can't.

Stossel's position is an affront to Black America and everyone in this country who believes in racial progress. It's one thing to be a candidate with backwards views. It's another to be employed by a supposed news network and to use that platform to push hateful ideas that our nation repudiated decades ago.

It's time that FOX drop Stossel. It's why I've joined ColorOfChange.org in demanding Fox do so immediately. If after hearing from thousands of people like you and I, FOX refuses to act, it will make clear that FOX stands with Stossel and his values, and ColorOfChange has pledged to go directly after the network with a major public campaign.

Can you take a moment to add your voice to the call to fire Stossel? After you do, please ask your friends and family to do the same:

http://www.colorofchange.org/stossel/mm/?id=1539-1229412

FOX has a history of providing a platform for bigoted views and race-baiting. Most recently more than 300,000 people helped us hold FOX accountable by stripping Glenn Beck of more than 100 of his advertisers, after Beck called President Obama a "racist" with a "deep-seated hatred for white people."³

But Stossel has arguably gone beyond Beck, echoing segregationist arguments from the Jim Crow era:

"It's time now to repeal that part of the law because private businesses ought to get to discriminate. And I won't ever go to a place that's racist and I will tell everybody else not to and I'll speak against them. But it should be their right to be racist."

Stossel went on to argue something that history has disproved time and again — that private business will do the right thing, without being compelled by laws, because no one would patronize a business that discriminates. It's a blind belief in market fundamentalism that just isn't in sync with reality. In the '60s, white-owned businesses that allowed Blacks as customers lost business. Market forces actually perpetuated discrimination; they didn't combat it. Simply put: segregation would still be active in parts of this country if government hadn't stepped in.

And recent history has shown that the public accommodations section of the Civil Rights Act is still needed. In 1994, it was used to hold Denny's Restaurants accountable, after the chain repeatedly refused to seat Black customers.⁴ Just last year, it was used to go after a Philadelphia pool that prevented Black children from swimming there.⁵

It's time for Fox News to make a choice. Are they willing to continue to give a platform to racially-divisive rhetoric and revive dangerously outdated perspectives? Or will they move with the rest of the nation into into the 21st century? Please join me in calling on Fox News to fire John Stossel. And once you do, please ask your friends and family to do the same:

http://www.colorofchange.org/stossel/mm/?id=1539-1229412

Thank you.

References:

1. http://huff.to/cjOnxL
2. http://mediamatters.org/mmtv/201005200033
3. http://bit.ly/aoJUUy
4. http://nyti.ms/bpVZZY
5. http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2010/January/10-crt-033.html

Study Shows Blacks Will Never Gain Wealth Parity with Whites under the Current System

2010-05-27T14:28:00.000-07:00

Study Shows Blacks Will Never Gain Wealth Parity with Whites under the Current System

check this out!

The Name Not Getting the Spotlight

2010-05-25T12:13:00.000-07:00

is Jerean Blake

for those of you that dont know the murder of Jerean Blake is what kicked of the chain of events that ended in the police killing. Jerean Blake was murdered by 34 year old black man b/c he didnt like the way Jerean looked at him. This same individual was in the same housing complex as Aiyana Jones' family when the police broke in at 1 am w/ a no knock warrant. Jerean was 17 years old still a child himself. Not far from my 22 years.

An article is here http://bit.ly/aYkC1p

This brings to light 2 critical things that the black community has to deal with. Threats from the Outside such as the police the government white supremacy. And Threats from the inside self hate disregard for our own lives, bad lifestyle choices. Neither of these two can be ignored in our rise as a people. Above all we must protect the future and we lost 2 of them. one from the outside and one from the inside

Told ya So..

2010-05-25T11:45:00.000-07:00

Source

Eduardo Caraballo, a U.S. citizen born in the United States, was detained for over three days on suspicion of being an illegal immigrant.

Despite presenting identifying documents and even his birth certificate, Caraballo was held by federal immigration authorities over the weekend and threatened with deportation, according to an NBC Chicago report. He was only released when his congressman, Luis Gutierrez -- a vocal supporter of immigration reform -- intervened on his behalf.

------

Still think SB1070 isnt a problem?

read it for yourself here http://www.scribd.com/doc/31945071/sb1070

Aiyana's Grandmother Speaks

2010-05-19T12:40:00.000-07:00

Release the Video Petition. SPREAD THIS EVERYWHERE

2010-05-18T13:00:00.001-07:00

Online Petition

Release The Video!!! Possible cover up in Aiyana Jones Death

2010-05-18T12:11:00.000-07:00

CLICK THE RADIO INTERVIEW OF GEOFFREY FIEGER. He explains the shot was fired from the outside that the police entered the wrong house and there was no criminal suspect there, and the suspicions of that the tape may get destroyed.

JUSTICE FOR AIYANA JONES

http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2010/05/attorney_geoffrey_fieger_alleg.html

Listen to Geoffrey Fieger:

Previous: Listen to Assistant Police Chief Ralph Godbee

RELEASE THE VIDEO!!!!!

7-Year Old Aiyana Jones

2010-05-18T10:23:00.000-07:00

if you dont know the story, shame on you and google it now.

I've discussed and tossed this around my head for the past 2 days and frankly im exhausted. the sadness and anger cant compare. On My homie Owl's blog i contributed my thoughts and feelings concerning this situation in a brief form and at length on my twitter.

Im heartbroken and all i can say is when will the collective we stop making excuses sacrificing our children and sacrificing our minds to protect a world view that makes us comfortable around our white friends. Everything this world does shows us the truth but apparently we have gone crazy.

but thats okay...im working to fix it. The cop watches need to happen education on the penal code needs to happen. learning how to handle an encounter with the law enforcement needs to happen. knowing who we are what we are and what that means in relationship to the world around us.

Peace after revolution.

Normative Standards Paulo Freire and Arizona

2010-05-13T13:48:00.000-07:00

As we all know arizona passed into a law a bill banned ethnic studies from schools as well as teachers with accents from the classrooms. To follow suit Minnesota and South Carolina are also enacting copycat bills. Obviously there are some very racist things going on. And in terms of this ethnic studies ban i would like to explain some of the whys behind it.

There is a man by the name of Paulo Freire who wrote this....

An excellent text. Within this volume talks about how the struggle against oppression is ultimately about the oppressed group reclaiming their humanity. What Friere means here is that the Oppressor group asserts their reality as the normative standard. That which is normal, right and ultimately the standard of what is human is defined by the oppressor. Anything outside of that is seen as wrong, ugly, evil and abnormal. In America whiteness and its member groups are the oppressors and it is their reality that has been set up as the the normative standard manifesting in the things such as white beauty standards, white washed history, and obviously white politics. It is the goal of oppressed groups of white supremacy no longer abide by the standards set by the white led oppression and begin to govern themselves mind body and spirit by their cultural reality and thus reclaiming their humanity.

Simply put white people do not respect the humanity of anyone but themselves. The Recent legislative goings on of Arizona and now Minnesota and South Carolina are FURTHER proof positive.

Crux of the issue is this. Ethnic studies (sidebar the term ethnic itself is a exemplary of dehumanization of anything non white) providing a view of history and the world that conflicts with the white script of characterizing the world in such away that exaggerates if not lies about the advancements of white people as well as ignore, lessen, or shift responsibility of the evil of white people (henry louis gates lawn jockey tap dance routine as a black apologist for white involvement in slavery is a excellent example). Because whiteness is the normative standard such a conflict is seen as "bringing up old shit that doesnt matter anymore". It challenges that existence of the normative standard that provides white people with their privledge and to a very large extent their self esteem

This is why. America is simply racist. And its becoming more and more obvious

Black Republicans: Realignment possible

2010-05-10T08:09:00.000-07:00

There are at least 32 African-Americans are running for Congress this year as Republicans

I believe this is going to be a legitimate shift in how black people vote. The republican party is floundering and if things continue to go the way they have the republican party as we have known it since the southern strategy. As we all know the republican party has utilized racial fear to win power i dont understand how a black person casts in white a political party that sanctions the likes of Rush Limbaugh or Ann Colture to motivate their base. We have already seen how conservative candidates are being pressured by conservative racist groups like the tea party. How do you cast in with people like that. Its not that the democrats are any better both parties are two sides of a ruling class that arent really interested acting in equity with relationship to black people.

From a strategic standpoint the republican party is attempting to give themselves a new face and distance themselves from the republican party that was so damaged by Bush 43 and the McCain/Palin campaign. And they are attempting to play on the social conservatism of the older black people who vote more consistently that the younger black people who are more likely to be liberal. 32 Black GOP candidates running for congress is concerted effort to cultivate a black vote for republicans. I suppose the idea is that giving the conservative message a black voice will carry it further in black communities than a white one.

i will be keeping up to date on this

Arizona Legislature Bans Ethnic Studies-Wants to Remove Teachers from Classes Who have Accents | Southern Shift

2010-04-30T13:57:00.001-07:00

Arizona Legislature Bans Ethnic Studies-Wants to Remove Teachers from Classes Who have Accents | Southern Shift

Posted using ShareThis

This Right Here...

2010-04-28T20:54:00.000-07:00

This...

reminds me of this

I really detect a hint of This is our country ("our" read as "straight white male"). Fact is white people are now dealing with with the reality that their privilege may or may not be eroding. Most white people don't understand white privilege. What we non white folks call privilege they call everyday life and as that erodes they see it as someone being unfair. And it produces BS like the above.

Arizona Boycott | Boycotting Arizona Companies

2010-04-28T12:20:00.001-07:00

Arizona Boycott | Boycotting Arizona Companies

Posted using ShareThis

Thomas Hagan Goes Free...shrugs

2010-04-28T08:23:00.000-07:00

I talked about this awhile back on twitter. Source1 Source2

Yesterday Thomas Hagan has been released on parole and is now a free man. Previously Hagan was on a work release which he started in 1988 where he only spends 2 days out of the week in prison and works the other 5. This arrangement has allowed him to be active in his family's life and earn a master's degree. He has expressed repeatedly remorse for his action and in 1977 Hagan said in a 1977 affidavit that he and several accomplices (not Muhammad Aziz or Kahlil Islam the two other men convicted for his murder who i believe are actually innocent) decided to kill Malcolm X because he was a “hypocrite” who had “gone against the leader of the Nation of Islam,” Elijah Muhammad. Mr. Hagan said that after one man shot Malcolm X in the chest with a shotgun, he and another man fired several more rounds at him.

A great many people i know were for lack of a better term were outraged when they learned about it. Honestly i can completely understand why this is so problematic for some folks. The love many of us have for Malcolm X and what he stood for makes it very difficult to muster any forgiveness for Malcolm's assassins. This lack of forgiveness translating into a desire to keep the assassins in jail forever.

I've run across several petitions and radio shows wanting to stop Hagan's parole and from a purely logically and law based standpoint that battle was lost when Aziz was paroled in '85 and Hagan was granted work release '88. Hagan had a sterling prison record and was 2/3 of the way out of the door anyway. Too little too late from a strategy perspective and as a result Hagan is in the streets. And still many are outraged and talking about "justice for Malcolm", but ultimately Hagan is irrelevant. First and foremost if anyone equating "justice for Malcolm" as doing something to a 69 year old man who is just trying to live out the little bit of time he has left has clearly not studied Malcolm X. At least to me Justice for Malcolm would be continuing Malcolm X's work of building a self sufficient black community working for justice for black people in this nation. Particularly considering the questions surrounding the scope of the conspiracy that ended up taking Malcolm X's life. Any retaliation against Hagan would make Malcolm's Legacy about his assassins instead of the great work he did. And that is something i am not prepared to do. That makes Hagan irrelevant to me. What he did was deplorable the absolute worst and im angry about what he did but there is nothing more that can be done about that except keeping Malcolm X's work moving forward

Nakumbuka Malcolm X

Bill Gates Admits Vaccines Are Used for Human Depopulation

2010-04-27T22:51:00.000-07:00

Damn...i would really like to see this conversation in its entirety to get a clear picture of whats being said here context wise. but this is kinda disturbing

Scum Bucket of the Week: Meet Arizona Lawmaker Russell Pearce | Southern Shift

2010-04-27T21:45:00.001-07:00

Scum Bucket of the Week: Meet Arizona Lawmaker Russell Pearce | Southern Shift

Posted using ShareThis

Framing An Execution: Mumia Abu-Jamal and the Media

2010-04-26T21:11:00.001-07:00

Miss me w/ that Post Racial: Arizona Done Went Wild

2010-04-23T15:26:00.001-07:00

Arizona today has signed into law a measure that orders immigrants to carry their alien registration documents at all times and requires police to question people if there's reason to suspect they're in the United States illegally. It also targets those who hire illegal immigrant laborers or knowingly transport them.

Source

This immigration law essentially makes 'ethnic' probable cause. But because this is arizona,this law clearly targets the Latino population. There are so many unanswered question about how does this actually work and not be racial profiling at the same time. How does one look at a person and say "this person might be an immigrant". Furthermore this suspicion essentially operates as probable cause for other searches. If the police are questioning you about your immigration status and there is a problem best believe they are going through all of your stuff. From your pants pockets to your car. This law also requires that immigrants carry registration papers w/ them at all times. Which means if you dont have your registration or identification on you going to the station no questions which and whatsoever just for being latino. And what about the children. There are many children who were born in america and as a result of naturalized citizens are now in danger of losing their parents.

The Governor Jan Brewer is quoted as saying we will just have to trust our law enforcement officers. And given the countless cases of police brutality and excessive force against minority communities. Trusting the police has never been an option.

And thats not all,

There is also the Arizona Birther Bill. For those of you not familiar w/ the Birthers they are a group of people who are doubting President Obama's eligibility to even be president by claiming he isnt a naturalized born citizen of the United states. Basically only a person born in the US can be the President. This issue was first brought up in the primaries by Hilary Clinton's staffers and has since been debunked repeatedly.

Anderson Cooper and Roland Martin Handled this very very well. The reality is Obama not being white is a problem for many many people. The reaction to the nationality of his father and his non white name and his blackness makes white people question his allegiance to the United States particularly given how black people and other non whties are treated in this nation (though arguably black people are the most patriotic people ever). That potential loss of privilege scares them. Americas continued xenophobia and racism takes center stage here.

Whats worse is that these politicians are utilizing this racism and xenophobia to curry favor power.

Welcome to america

I Gotta Get This Money First

2010-04-18T14:27:00.000-07:00

The excuse of all excuses.

I cant begin to explain how much this frustrates me. I have talked w/ many brothers and sisters about community, cultural responsibility and many related things and i always seem to run into that excuse. To be perfectly honest i understand the sentiment. Du Bois said it best when said "To be a poor man is hard, but to be a poor race in a land of dollars is the very bottom of hardships.” However the thing is that investing in your people building up your community and living better financially are not two things that are opposed to each other. But again the issue is not so much the excuse but the idea of the individual over the community that undergirds it.

The American ideal of rugged individualism is a fundamental to the american psyche (which is rather comical cuz in times of hardship you always hear about taking care of each other and the like). Now our people traditionally communal it our traditional way to be about each other. There is a saying of the Xhosa tribe of south africa that says I am because u are and u are because i am showing our interconnectedness and unity . As opposed to rene descartes I think therefore I am showing individuality.

if you really wanna get deep with it on linguistic level if you were to translate "i think therefore i am into Akan the would be a misunderstanding about exactly what you were trying to communicate. The person speaking Akan would ask you, (i think there fore i am) You are what, where? In Akan their word for exist "Wo ho" contains a spatial element. Meaning that to them unless that person or anything for that matter exists in relation to something else it doesn't exist. Again highlighting the idea of interconnectivity.

Furthermore as Black people in a wht supremacist nation, we cannot do what wht people do and expect the same results. Morality aside that is just the reality. Due to the oppression we face, individualism makes us complicit in our our own destruction. Particularly when ur exploiting ur people as the vehicle to achieve personal goals. We know about white privilege we know racism still runs rampant. Your personal acesent wont protect you cuz your just one person or at best a small group. Wht supremacy is a ideology of power than can only be dealt with by mass opposition.

Fact is Getting Money first wont help anybody not even you.

Pet Peeves

2010-04-16T16:29:00.000-07:00

Y'know being the nerd that i am and having to endure the brutal and unending torture of being teased (until i started whopping ass). I really take issue with folk talk trash about people they dont know. I completely understand taking issue w/ image, body of work, and what a person represents. People in the public eye need to be challenged to be more socially responsible. However they are still people, people we dont know.

I see so many personal attacks its truly ridiculous. And whats worse not reaching out and helping or attempting to address the issues w/ the celeb in question. If you attitude is they dont care so why try then whats the point in discussing them and continuing to give them attention. Am i the only one that sees the futility in that.

It really bothers me...im finding more and more that people say things and do things just cuz it sounds like the "conscious" thing to be doing.

Day of Silence

2010-04-16T12:49:00.000-07:00

http://www.dayofsilence.org/index.cfm

Health Care Reform...Yo chillllll

2010-03-25T12:10:00.000-07:00

Seriously, though we should be able disagree and not be stupid. This debate has been wild and i've talked with people on all sides and one thing that is being made disturbingly clear that that people have 100 opinions based on about 10% of the fact.
And unfortunately that is our political system.

Healthcare Reform(HCR from here on) is a touchy subject. As is any major reform measure and whatever you feel about the particulars of HCR implementation the fundamental idea that people should not go broke behind their healthcare or be exploited on the basis of their health. The bill which is now law is not perfect but a step in the right direction. Every major reform in this country has not been an easy sell particularly in time of financial hardship (Personally i think Obama would have been better served to do a jobs bill first and healthcare just in terms of survivability but thats me).

Reforms never happen all at once and are never perfect they require continual attention to improve. For example civil rights legislation of 1964 still had to be worked on because of state resistance. For example, the voting rights act of '65 and the fair housing act of '68 and others. HCR will be no different. It is going to require continued focused involved in order to make this work. More than likely it will need to be continually modified and thats okay.

Now to address the dissent

Now there is a very very interesting class intersection here. History has shown how the white elite have used the non elite whites as their public opinion/action bludgeon to oppress people. Namely Mine. As im sure you asking yourself what does that have to do with it, consider the race baiting racial fear mongering the republican party has used in order to secure power. The Tea party is a prime example. Then also consider the inflammatory and false rhetoric that has been used to characterize HCR as socialism or government takeover and ideas of Taking our country back as though it went somewhere. In the american tradition that equates to a call for arms. Republicans are trying to channel this violent outrage to their benefit and the democrats are trying use it to characterize the mentality of the republicans, with mid term elections right around the corner. Be careful Black people and learn to shoot.

Couldnt Say It Better: Tea Party Is All About Race

2010-03-25T11:07:00.000-07:00

Source

I was going to open this piece with an analogy about the tea party groups and why they're treated seriously by the press and the Republicans. The analogy would go something like: "Imagine [insert left-wing activist group here] getting a serious profile in a mainstream newspaper, and imagine serious Democratic politicians appearing at their convention."

The problem is, when I really evaluated what the various far-left activist groups are all about and compared them with the tea party movement, there really wasn't any equivalency. At all.

Because when you strip away all of the rage, all of the nonsensical loud noises and all of the contradictions, all that's left is race. The tea party is almost entirely about race, and there's no comparative group on the left that's similarly motivated by bigotry, ignorance and racial hatred.

I hasten to note that I'm talking about real racism, insofar as it's impossible for the majority race -- the 70 percent white majority -- to be on the receiving end of racism. That is unless white males, for example, are suddenly an oppressed racial demographic. But judging by the racial composition of, say, the Senate or AM talk radio or the cast members playing the Obamas on SNL, I don't think white people have anything to worry about.

This isn't an epiphany by any stretch. From the beginning, with their witch doctor imagery, watermelon agitprop and Curious George effigies, the wingnut right has been dying to blurt out, as Lee Atwater famously said, "nigger, nigger, nigger!"

But they can't.

Strike that. Correction. TeaParty.org founder Dale Robertson brandished a sign with the (misspelled) word "niggar." So they're not even as restrained as the generally unstrung Atwater anymore.

Most of the time, they merely imply the use of the word. Rush Limbaugh referring to the president as a "black man-child," for example. Every week, a new example pops up on the radio and somehow the offenders are able to keep their job while Howard Stern is fined for saying the comparatively innocuous word "blumpkin." Limbaugh, on the other hand, can stoke racial animosity on his show by suggesting that health care reform is a civil rights bill -- reparations -- and no one seems to mind. And no, the impotence isn't an adequate Karmic punishment for Limbaugh's roster of trespasses.

The tea party is an extension of talk radio. It's an extension of Fox News Channel. It's an extension of the southern faction of the Republican Party -- the faction that gave us the Southern Strategy, the Willie Horton ad, the White Hands ad and the racially divisive politics of Lee Atwater and Karl Rove. It's an extension of the race-baiting and, often, the outright racism evident in all of those conservative spheres.

But unlike the heavy-handedness of Dale Robertson and others, the tea party followers are generally more veiled about why they're so outraged by our current president.

In the New York Times this past weekend, David Barstow profiled a teabagger from Idaho:

SANDPOINT, Idaho -- Pam Stout has not always lived in fear of her government. She remembers her years working in federal housing programs, watching government lift struggling families with job training and education. She beams at the memory of helping a Vietnamese woman get into junior college.

But all that was before the Great Recession and the bank bailouts, before Barack Obama took the White House by promising sweeping change on multiple fronts, before her son lost his job and his house. Mrs. Stout said she awoke to see Washington as a threat, a place where crisis is manipulated -- even manufactured -- by both parties to grab power.

Now you might be saying to yourself, I don't see the racism here. But if you eliminate all of the reasons for Stout's participation in the tea party movement as being contradictory or nonsensical, all that's left is race.

Let's deconstruct.

She claims to be against the bank bailouts, but the tea party is against the president's bank fee designed to recover the TARP money. They also appear to be against financial regulatory reform. None of this makes any sense. If tea partiers are against the bailouts, basic logic dictates that they ought to be in favor of getting the money back. Or do they prefer that the banks keep the money and orchestrate further meltdowns? Honestly, I'm not even entirely sure they realize that the bailouts and the recovery act (stimulus) are two different things. But they're also against the recovery act -- you know, whatever that is.

She also told the New York Times that she's tired of politicians "manufacturing crisis."

Right. Three things here.

First, where was she -- where were the teabaggers -- when the far-right endorsed and supported a massive increase in the size of government, unitary executive power grabs and unconstitutional measures fueled by fear-mongering over the very remote threat of terrorism? Crickets chirping. The odds of being killed in an airborne terrorist attack are literally 1 in 10 million. You're much more likely to kill yourself than to be killed by a terrorist.

Second, I refuse to believe that health care is a "manufactured crisis." People are going broke and dying every day. Even the most conservative estimates show that there are 9/11-level casualties each month due to a lack of adequate health insurance. The horror stories are readily available online. Just Google "health insurance horror story" and see how manufactured the crisis is.

Third, look at any bar graph of the economy as of one year ago or any basic jobs number and tell me if the crisis is manufactured. Hell, Pam Stout's son lost his house! How can she possibly suggest the economic crisis was manufactured?

I hate to single out one person, but Stout's incongruous anger is indicative of the entire movement.

From the outset, the tea party was based on a contradictory premise (the original tea party was a protest against a corporate tax cut). And when you throw out all of the nonsense and contradictions, there's nothing left except race. There's no other way to explain why these people were silent and compliant for so long, and only decided to collectively freak out when this "foreign" and "exotic" president came along and, right out of the chute, passed the largest middle class tax cut in American history -- something they would otherwise support, for goodness sake, it was $288 billion in tax cuts! -- we're left to deduce no other motive but the ugly one that lurks just beneath the pale flesh, the tri-corner hats and the dangly tea bag ornamentation.

Irrespective of whether the president passed a huge tax cut or went out of his way to bring Republicans into the health care process, the seeds of racial animosity from the far-right were sown during the campaign. In those lines waiting for then-vice presidential candidate and current tea party heroine Sarah Palin, their loud noises spread the pre-scripted lies, lies that entirely hinged on the president's African heritage. A white candidate would never be accused of being a secret Muslim. A white candidate would never be accused of being a foreign usurper. Only a black candidate with a foreign name would be accused of "palling around with domestic terrorists."

In the final analysis, when you boil away all of the weirdness, it becomes clear that the teabaggers are pissed because there isn't yet another doddering old white guy in the White House -- like they're used to. That's what this is all about.

By way of a postscript, one of the many faceless radio talk show wingnuts, Jim Quinn, this week called President Obama a "Kenyan wuss" who should be "slapped silly." The Kenyan lie and the "slap silly" insult aside, this president is no wuss. You know how I know? He's a black man who ran for president and won despite the growing mob of gun-toting militant white bigots like Jim Quinn who are sucking air in America. President Obama achieving this despite the hatred and threats against him takes serious guts. Guts that Jim Quinn and the tea party movement will never understand.

Breeding Blacker

2010-03-23T21:39:00.001-07:00

So i recently got into a discussion with a sister from the continent over the significance of the term "B/black". She states that the term which we use here in the american diaspora as descriptive of culture is a literal term describing the color of a person's skin. This debate centered around colorism and how lighter skinned Black (noun) women have been portrayed historically and are portrayed in the contemporary better than darker skinned Black women.

Often times when we see Black people portrayed the Black men generally are well represented in terms of hue however when we look at the women more often than not the darker skinned Black women are less represented. The totality of Blackness is not being well represented. And the sister from the continent felt that these lighter skinned women should not be considered black(adj) but still of African descent.

I began to explain that here in the american diaspora because of our separation from and the loss of our traditional cultural realities Black has developed as a cultural term and not a literal one and as a result when you say to a lighter skinned Black(noun) women that she is not black (adj) you are in effect saying she is not Black (noun) in terms of culture because that is the significance that term carries in the american diaspora when applied to people.

Her response was well why don't they (lighter skinned Black women) breed blacker(adj)?

Now this proposition was something that i had to think about and make a couple of phone calls to bounce ideas around before i could respond via this blog. At the time i just didnt have an answer for it.

So after some thinking here is my assessment. Breeding blacker(adj) in this context is presented as a solution to colorism by eliminating the difference in hue and thus equating black (adj) with Black (noun). However what this does is takes the stigma off dark skinned Black people and puts it on light skinned Black people. It doesn't truly fix anything just reverses it. Furthermore that idea also feels real close to an idea of purity, which is kinda moot by virtue of us being a diasporic population. Moreover Breeding blacker(adj) does not equal cultural congruency as Clarence Thomas will tell you.

It simpy doesn't fix anything. We deal with colorism by promoting images that display appreciation for all the hues of Blackness. In my opinion our culture is much stronger a unifying force although it is much harder to establish given the white supremacist society that is america. When you look at colorism it is much more a product of how the culture of white supremacy has effected body image how people of african descent view themselves. Colorism is an extension of racism which is culture based.

We need Black(nouns) babies not just black(adj) babies.

Questions? comments? concerns?

when you coming back

2010-03-19T22:39:00.001-07:00

sometime soon. coincidently im not very hard to get in touch with so in the meantimes holla at me

Ask me anything

Ether: Multiracial Sheep is the White Supremacist Fox

2010-03-19T14:43:00.000-07:00

Source

The Multiracial Sheep is the White Supremacist Fox

by Jared A. Ball, Ph.D.

“More people born to interracial couples are happily accepting the racial placebo of ‘multiracial’ and multiple racial choices as official census categorization.”

Let’s be very clear from the outset. Multiracial categorization is an aggressive defense of white supremacy. Multiracial census categorization, particularly in the era of what some are calling the first Black and multiracial president, is, pun-intended, the bulked up steroid-induced version of the old sports aphorism that “the best defense is a good offense.” By aggressively encouraging younger generations to identify officially as multiracial the national desire to disappear worsening racial divides gets further juice by offering folks a chance to both adopt the illusion of the “post-racial” and to seemingly categorize themselves away from, if not out of, oppression. The beautiful dialectic traditionally developed in this country’s form of white supremacy was its built-in inability to be white and forced inclusion into Black which has made Black America, if even to a fault, among the most diverse, open and accepting communities in the world. It also increased the potential that that community would become more threatening to white domination which has led to the centuries-long development of neocolonial-styled light-skin privilege as a mechanism of siphoning off some of the more willing participants in an escape from blackness.

This continues and now in the form of official racial category. No longer, as a recent USA Today story suggests, will younger people be forced or even encouraged to see themselves as light-skinned extensions of Curtis Mayfield’s “dark deep well,” but as something entirely separate, different and apart from. Younger generations are being encouraged in far greater percentages to accept forms of, what some academics call, hyperdescent, or degrees of identity up the so-called racial caste scale.

“Black America is, if even to a fault, among the most diverse, open and accepting communities in the world.”

As we have previously described, there is a general delusion happening where the material conditions of Black people are worseningwhile assumptions of progress among Black people are increasing. Similarly, we have also recently discussed, that there is right now are-inscription of America’s racial slavery caste system forcibly locking Black Americans into permanent recessions and entombment at the bottom rungs of the nation’s social or colonial pyramid. So it seems equally alarming that more people born to interracial couples are happily accepting the racial placebo of “multiracial” and multiple racial choices as official census categorization.

As the 2010 census is disseminated nationally this month it brings with it all the old baggage of the enterprise, that is, it is used to mask gross inequality in distribution of national wealth, the locked-down gerrymandered political districts designed to assure that this fraudulent “two-party” system remains safely intact, and the sweeping under the rug of stolen prisoners who when caught up in an equally unjust system of mass incarceration are disappeared into distant regions and used to bolster the economic and electoral strength of their captors communities while not, of course, being able themselves to access any of the benefit they help to create by their incarceration.

National offerings of mobility in racial category, combined with a president whose multiracial background is used more to blunt discussions of racial inequality than to make them known and addressed, will further allow white supremacy to go unchecked and, therefore, to become more invisible and ultimately powerful. Self-identification is, of course, personal and ultimately up to the individual. But racial categorization is decidedly political and, therefore, means a responsibility that goes beyond any one person’s private choice. The history and current structure of race in this country and its impact materially on Black people who don’t have the immaterial option to be categorized out of their blackness nor the material option of avoiding that category’s real-life meaning in this society demands that we who are offered the devil’s hand up reject it and remain happily categorized with the those in our families whoare our family and who are not able to escape the ravages of being fixed to the racial floor.

For Black Agenda Radio I’m Jared Ball.

Freaknik The Musical: Perhaps I was Hasty

2010-03-17T19:35:00.000-07:00

So this is one of those moments where i let my self righteousness cloud my judgement and not make an accurate analysis in addition to not watching it all. Cuz frankly anything attached T-Pain im skeptical of *shrug*

part of the deal is that i didnt understand what freaknik was and as a result missed the point

Freaknik was a spring break party not unlike Daytona Beach, Miami, Panama Beach, South Beach and other places w/ water where its okay to walk around scantily clad. But Freaknik was attended primarily if not exclusively Black people. When Freaknik ended it was a result of political moves made by the white community and the black community. ATL didnt wanna be a spring break town (i guess the didnt want the money *sarcasm*)

Source

now with that in mind coming to Freaknik the musical i could understand it more as well as watch it all the way lol.

Freaknik broaches several different topics using current hip hop culture (however you feel about that) as a back drop. With the overall theme of love and how the black upper class often condemns and demonizes the actions thoughts and structures of the black lower class as though Blackness is or should be a monolithic whole. As exemplified thorough the Boule characterizations of Oprah, Al Sharpton, Bill Cosby, Russell Simmons, OJ Simpson, and Jesse Jackson.

The theme of Love is exemplified when the boule unleashes it robot ("the machine")to defeat the ghost of Freaknik after Obama hands the presidency to him (if you havent guessed Freaknik represents the "people") and is almost successful until the love from the crowd cause Freaknik to go Megazord and win the day. Showing that love in a collective sense is how we win and grow as a people as a nation and as a world.

I found it really interesting how Freaknik the Musical talked about the idea that white america AND the black elite hamper the black lower class is to me an very astute observation. Particularly seeing how Freaknik was our spring break celebration and the black elite was complicit in its killing instead of guiding it and supporting it and making it more productive.

My issues with Freaknik the Musical are largely cosmetic. It uses hip hop as a back drop and thus Freaknik the Musical has the misogyny materialism and drug induced stupors that come with it. And that for me is very much problematic, however Freaknik The Musical is a parody that uses hip hop and humor to convey some deep political and social messages.

Oh Word!

2010-03-14T14:48:00.001-07:00

Somali pirates tell their side

2010-03-13T06:35:00.000-08:00

Action for Jaime Scott

2010-03-12T19:39:00.000-08:00

Update Pay attention!!

Mrs. Rasco received word this evening that Jamie Scott's
temporary catheter has been moved to her chest and is
plugged up with green fluid and pus. Her hands, legs and
feet are swollen and she is in tremendous pain. She is
very, very weak. This is at least her fourth catheter
infection and this one is extremely bad. Jamie is doing
very poorly. The prison is aware of Jamie's current
condition yet Jamie remains in the prison infirmary.

Mrs. Rasco is asking that everyone please call into the
governor and Commissioner Epps to release her from
the horrible conditions she is in and the poor medical care
that she is receiving. Mrs. Rasco believes that Jamie is
going to die in the prison if something doesn't happen soon
and is calling out for all of the support that she can get.

CONTACT GOV. BARBOUR'S OFFICE
P.O. Box 139
Jackson, Mississippi 39205
1-877-405-0733 or 601-359-3150
Fax: 601-359-3741
(If you reach VM leave msgs, faxes, and please send letters)

CONTACT CHRISTOPHER EPPS
Christopher Epps, Commissioner of Prisons for the State of Mississippi
601-359-5600
CEPPS@mdoc.state.ms.us
723 North President Street
Jackson, MS 39202

LET THEM KNOW THAT JAMIE SCOTT IS SUFFERING
WITH PAIN, SWELLING, INFECTION AND WEAKNESS
& NEEDS IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ATTENTION OUTSIDE
OF THE PRISON!
-------

We also need to continue pushing for national media
attention on the case, some focus has been achieved &
we need to strike while the iron is hot! Jamie's condition
is very serious and we need for as many people as
possible to get involved with raising the demand for
her release as soon as possible. THIS CASE
DEMANDS NATIONAL ATTENTION.

Jane Velez-Mitchell should do an entire segment on
the Scott Sisters now that she is aware of the case, please
contact her and urge her to follow-up her brief mention of
the Scott Sisters on her 3/6 "Issues with Jane Velez-Mitchell"
with a more significant segment that will focus on Jamie's
serious medical condition and the Scott Sisters case
period. The contact form is at http://www.cnn.com/feedback/tips/newstips.html

Today's Newsweek blog ran a piece called: "Left Wing: Pardon
Me, Governor Barbour" at http://blog.newsweek.com/blogs/thegaggle/archive/2010/03/11
/left-wing-pardon-me-governor-barbour.aspx Many of these
blogs where the Scott Sisters are getting attention have
comment sections that supporters can use to put out
updated information on Jamie's downward spiraling
condition, there's only so much her body is going
to be able to take and this needs to be emphasized!

PLEASE ACT AND REPOST BROADLY, THANK YOU!
------------------------
Visit and LINK to: http://www.freethescottsisters.blogspot.com
Subscribe to our group: Send a blank e-mail to scottsistersupdates-subscribe@yahoogroups.com and share information!
Facebook Group: Free The Scott Sisters
Compassionate Release Appeal: http://www.scribd.com/doc/26252282/COMPASSIONATE-RELEASE-FOR-JAMIE-SCOTT
Free the Scott Sisters Petition: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/Free-Jamie-Gladys/index.html
Free the Scott Sisters Flyer: http://www.scribd.com/doc/22154749/Scott-Sisters-Flyer
Legal Transcripts: http://www.scribd.com/Scott%20Sisters

The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness

2010-03-11T06:39:00.000-08:00

I Give You Operation Exodus

2010-03-09T04:56:00.000-08:00

This is the same Louisiana that targeted and killed black people during Hurricane Katrina and they are building a militia. I dont have to say how absurd this is

Self Defense is Common Sense

Listen....I don't care if you pull Hattie McDaniel out, I still don't like Precious.

2010-03-08T12:19:00.000-08:00

as i dig out my bullet proof vest and kevlar helmet,

I hate Precious, i hate that they brought out Hattie McDaniel, and i hate that Monique won that award.

I really dont understand why people don't realize these movies are not separate and independent entities that exist outside of the world in which they are made. And it this context of how black people in movies are presented that makes Precious and the Monique and Hattie McDaniels so unpalatable to me.

Consider Training Day where Denzel played a corrupt murderous cop and won an Oscar
Consider Monsters Ball where Halle Berry plays an unfit emotional abusive mother who is redeemed by the white prison guard and one of the ugliest muthaf****rs of all time Billy Bob Thornton (lulz)and wins an Oscar
And then there is Precious where the Abusive unfit mother wins an Oscar.
And Hattie McDaniel who plays a Mammy a maid and wins an oscar in gone with the wind.

Do you see the Pattern yet...

But wait theres more

Consider 1994's The Air Up their where a white basketball coach saves an African tribe from a mining company by betting their land on a game of basketball in which the sun of the tribal chief is sent to go play basketball in the US. Classic White Man's Burden

Consider 2000's Bringing down the House where Queen Latifah plays the "street-wise" Magic Negro to help Steve Martin's stuck up life. Mammy 2.0

Consider 2001's Black Hawk Down where in the films portrayal of the Battle of Mogadishu no Somali people are cast and they are portrayed as brutal and bloodthirsty insane mob. As though they didnt have a reason to shoot down two helicopters that were invading their national sovereignty. Heart of Darkness syndrome.

Consider 1995's Ace Ventura When nature calls where Ace gives a white bat as a wedding gift to prevent two tribes from going to war all the while mocking their culture and rituals. White mans Burden and Heart of Darkness

Consider 1999's The Green Mile where Michael Clark Duncan plays as spike lee calls it the SUPER DUPER MAGIC NEGRO. A Man Mammy.

Consider 2009's Transformers 2 Revenge of the Fallen where the twins Skids and Mudflap are clearly illiterate dumb potty mouth stereotypes of black people.

i could go on for days about this. The reality is tat these movies show the context in which a movie like Precious exists. Another movie in a long tradition of casting black people stereotypical, subservient, degrading, or destructive roles and the when a black actor/actress brilliance is recognized its for playing a such a role. And I hate it. I hate it so much i would rather we not win awards or even make the movies at all if it has to be this way.

in 1930 Hattie McDaniel didnt have much of choice (and in the interests of keeping it all the way funky she was a ardent activist) . But we have choices now. We gotta do better.

Thoughts on why cut education and other issues

2010-03-08T05:32:00.000-08:00

Simple truths

The more people w/ access to scarce resources the less there is to go around. Education increase that access. So if you cant afford it you're stuck.

Increasing competition insures (at least in theory) that the best are at the top, after all incompetence is bad for business.

Marginalized communities suffer most from cuts to education.

No Child Left Behind is an epic fail and Obama has done little to deal with it.

If we wanna talk about government being broken education is truly broken. It is a perennial focus of political rhetoric yet education seems to be at the bottom of the list of things to do.

Yes teacher accountability is important however that accountability cannot be soley based on standardized testing because it narrows the curriculum and put the focus on test prep instead of learning.

Education in this country is based on white supremacist ideology.

Heavy community involvement in the education process is needed.

Brain storm w/ me folks!!

Without Truth...

2010-03-08T05:15:00.000-08:00

...three can be no progress

For those of you who dont know about the Armenian genocide. The Ottoman Turks (Turkey) attempted to exterminate the Armenian Greek and Assyrian populations during World War 1.It was characterized by the use of massacres, and the use of deportations involving forced marches under conditions designed to lead to the death of the deportees, with the total number of Armenian deaths generally held to have been between one and 1.5 million.

The Turkish government have for years officially denied any such event and for years because of the strategic military agreement (bases and support) between the US and Turkey, the US (as usual) has refused to do the right thing in the interests of what was politically expedient.

what was really telling about this were the comments by Representative Dan Burton of Indiana who said the following

Rep. Dan Burton: “We have sympathy for the people that suffered during that time. We understand tragedies occurred. We understand horrible atrocities occurred. There’s no question about that. But we’re in the twenty-first century. We have troops in the field, and we run the risk of losing a base of operation…in Turkey.”
-------
Dude...perpetuation a lie is not an expression of sympathy. Particularly when the continuation of such a lie benefits you.

In case this is the attitude people take to marginalized communities. Get over it, it happened a long time ago. As if the ripple effects of such acts do not echo today.

BTW the housed passed the resolution to recognize it anyway.

Invisibility

2010-03-05T10:27:00.000-08:00

So Earlier this week i got myself pulled into another Black Women v. Black Men argument...

Yeah i know....but i just had to say something b/c the fact of the matter is i like a good debate and when someone you love and respect starts to beat up on who you are, you get compelled to say something

In any case because i stayed on the sidelines because 1. i knew it was against my better judgement to even entertain it and 2. i was genuinely trying to gain such an understanding for all of the vitriol.

Well yall know how these arguments go. Heated and intense with neither side gaining any ground. As i was presenting my arguments about how blaming black men for media presentations concerning colorism (that they dont own or control) and ideas about skin color and value (that have been imprinted on them by white supremacy). I noticed i was getting upset because i love black women and i am faithful to black women. And despite my words my dedication and sincerity her i am being torn down. I literally sitting in front of my computer screen mad, indignant, about to launch in to a self righteous rant.

Then i stopped. Cuz at that moment i realized this is what it feels like to be invisible. To not be seen for the actions of others...now im aware of the concept of invisibility and how it applies when people make monolithic wholes of things but generally i either expect it or dont care enough about the person to acknowledge their thoughts. This time i felt invisible i experienced it. I felt that nothing i did mattered despite my most honest sincerity. Frankly it was painful and infuriating rolled all into this little ball of powerlessness. Now i understood where those words were coming from, a combination of anger powerlessness and truth. At that point the motivation to argue left me.

Reality is we can argue for years and years about how the problems became the problems. I want to fix them. I wanna make so that women wont care what media figures say about them because they know their men are at their backs to support them and I want the men who are warriors for their people to be seen and met with love instead of skepticism.

Arrest Quotas...Oh Word?

2010-03-02T13:39:00.000-08:00

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The Senate Graveyard

2010-03-02T07:23:00.000-08:00

The senate is boneyard...

Source

A debate on the Senate floor Monday over unemployment compensation crystallized, at least for a moment, the divide between the two parties in Washington.

Sen. Jon Kyl of Arizona, the Republican whip, argued that unemployment benefits dissuade people from job-hunting "because people are being paid even though they're not working."

Unemployment insurance "doesn't create new jobs. In fact, if anything, continuing to pay people unemployment compensation is a disincentive for them to seek new work," Kyl said during debate over whether unemployment insurance and other benefits that expired amid GOP objections Sunday should be extended.

"I'm sure most of them would like work and probably have tried to seek it, but you can't argue that it's a job enhancer. If anything, as I said, it's a disincentive. And the same thing with the COBRA extension and the other extensions here," said Kyl.

Unemployment benefits are generally so small that much of it is often used to pay for COBRA health insurance, even when subsidized. The size of the benefits does not generally cover the cost of living and it would be hard to find a single person who would prefer unemployment to having a job so that they could get subsidized COBRA.
_______________________________________

So Yall just gonna ignore one of if not the biggest example of corporate criminality that produced this economic situation. You got people like Sen. Bunning who has traditionally been in the pocket of banks and business who is not running for re-election so he can just get up their and act crazy.

From DemocracyNow.org

Sen. Bunning Continues Filibuster of Unemployment Benefits Bill

The Department of Transportation furloughed nearly 2,000 employees without pay Monday as Senate Republican Jim Bunning continued to filibuster a key spending bill to extend unemployment and COBRA benefits for hundreds of thousands of Americans. The blocked bill also affects several governmental agencies, rural television customers and doctors receiving Medicare payments. Senator Jon Kyl of Arizona, the Republican whip, defended Bunning’s opposition to the bill. Kyl said unemployment benefits dissuade people from job hunting because “people are being paid even though they’re not working.” Due to Bunning’s filibuster, forty-one highway projects were shut down yesterday because federal inspectors were off the job. The Obama administration ordered Medicare billing contractors not to pay any claims from doctors for the first ten business days of March. On Monday, when a producer from ABC tried to ask Bunning why he was blocking the unemployment benefits, Bunning flashed him the middle finger.

The Principle Of Governing by Campaign.

2010-02-26T07:34:00.000-08:00

Governing is a political tactic that in practice makes every politcal action about you gaining ground in the next election or your opponents losing ground in the next election. This method prey on every politicians need to be politically relevant essentially their ego and destroys the environment of compromise. In addition many congresspersons most competitive elections are in the primaries where they are punished and penalized by their party peers for working together further damaging incentive to compromise.

One famous example of government by campaign is the patriot act. There were several clauses in the Patriot Act that attacked and meant to weaken what is referred to in this country as big labor that means unions and stuff like that. Now the democratic party main power centers is labor and several key states to democratic strategy are labor controlled. So its vote for a piece of legislation that weakens your constituency or vote against a piece of legislation that at the time was believed to be about the keeping the nation safe.

Most recent evidence of this was the healthcare summit where Obama says to McCain "the campaign is over" well really, not really though. But its this idea that if we can win we will make sure you lose which is why government stalls out. Watch you catch it if your paying attention

R.I.P T-Shirts and Tattoos as Ancestor Veneration

2010-02-25T20:20:00.001-08:00

Ancestor Veneration is the practice of honoring and continued contact with the "dead". Based upon the idea that they are still living and have the ability to influence the "living". (sidebar dead and living are in quotations because in African Traditional thought it is in "death" where "living" actually begins thus life is merely a way station where we are to carry out a particular purpose and then move on.) Ancestor veneration is one of our more resilient African practices having survived christianization and islamification. With this in mind check this out

interesting how despite the state of cultural seperation many people of african descent (not assuming that these particular fellas haven't dug into their history)it never ceases to amaze me how some practices never really leave us and are reincarnated into different forms. Traditionally ancestors are giving offerings of food and/or drink and their spirits receive altars or specially built spirit abodes to house them when they come to visit us. While R.I.P T-shirts, tattoos or other assorted items may not be the traditional way of venerating our ancestors it is still veneration nonetheless. Further Proof that no matter what we are an Afrikan People

I WILL NOT FORGET: Tents For Haiti

2010-02-23T09:07:00.000-08:00

http://ahomeinhaiti.org/

Haiti is in desperate need of shelter. With many of the Building in Haiti either gone or unsafe. Tents are needed instead of the tarps that are being provided by the government. Please support.

You're Apart of the Problem: I understand wanting to teach you kids to be Recession Proof

2010-02-23T08:21:00.000-08:00

But damn. I like having stuff but this wild.

I understand its getting rough out here. I understand the need for financial security, however i find it would be more beneficial to teach the child especially a female to self sufficient as opposed to dependent. Furthermore materialism cannot and does not sustain a fulfilling relationship. The mother is only setting her daughter up for some serious emotional and possible physical strife. Perhaps what is the saddest thing here is the transmission of the mothers pain and jaded outlook on relationships to the daughter. The very definition of a generational curse. The mother genuinely thinks she is protecting her daughter by teaching her money above all things. Even more ominous is that this isn't an uncommon thought or practice and many of us support it. Whether that support comes in the music we buy, phrase we parrot, and the way we go about pursuing relationships. Take some time to inventory that.

P.s tyra look like a zombie dont she?

Malcolm X

2010-02-23T07:38:00.000-08:00

February 21, 1965 was the 45th Anniversary of the death of El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz

Also know as Malcolm X. Brother Malcolm was the best of our defiance and strength. The following blog is a compilation of Malcolm's speeches, work and growth.

http://malcolmxfiles.blogspot.com/

and here is a debate between Malcolm X and James Baldwin in 1961

http://www.democracynow.org/2001/2/1/james_baldwin_and_malcolm_x_debate

give both of these links a shot. You'll enjoy them

Just wanna get this out in the air

2010-02-19T07:05:00.000-08:00

Generally speaking I prefer not to use vulgarities to emphasize a point however ever so often an such a situation occurs were the usage of such phrases not only proves useful but rather cathartic. So here goes

I really wish people would get the cult of personality celebrity dick out of their mouths.

Tiger Woods is about to have a press conference regarding his recent marital infidelities. It is being billed by the media as an "apology". now last time i checked Tiger cheated on his wife which to my knowledge is 1 woman. His only apology should be to his family.

The idea that tiger should apologize to the public is beyond me or that there is some sense of entitlement for tiger to live this situation in the public eye blows me. I mean its not as though infidelity is brand new or uncommon in america or that most of the people in the country that are on their knees licking at the loins of the media haven't experienced. I understand the bad example but if your seriously folks if your kids are looking to tiger woods as a role model you're lame and you should probably take time to talk to your kids about sex and infidelity as opposed to pretending they are learning about it from society. But whatever, come up for some air. Damn...

**After watching it**

its very telling how Joseph Stacks is viewed with sympathy and yet tiger is public enemy number 1.

and....AND the muthaf**kers got panels on dis..smdh. white folks and their media outlets

Joe Stack & White Man's Anger

2010-02-18T23:06:00.000-08:00

Joe Stack was an angry man who nutted up and did what alot of us are afraid to do. Blow some shit up and make a point. Now it is not the purpose of this particular post to sully or disregard Joe Stacks display of dissent. However i do want to make a particular point about white mans anger.

In my previous post there is a copy of Joe Stacks last message to the world. Included it for two reasons because it displays the corruption and the exploitative nature of the government, and as a black man, Joe Stack's rage at the government is well understood, however it is a rage and frustration my people deal with from proverbial "jump street". The second reason i posted it is to illustrate that the very reason that we in this country are even discussing Joe Stack's reasoning for this attack is because when white people get mad and lash out violently people seem love to talk about circumstances. They want to study and attempt to understand why this person lashed out. There is an acceptance of the possibility that persons motivation is just as important as the action itself. While MY anger and rage at an the centuries long injustices that affects my whole people and attempts to rob us of our place in history is invalid and ignored.

As i scanned the google headlines about Stack i noticed something very peculiar.

No mention in the headlines of this being a domestic attack. Now fact is this man how ever justified, attacked a government building of the country in which he lived. This is by definition domestic terrorism. And yet Austin suicide plane crash carries the day in the headlines.

If it were me a Black Man or a Muslim who perpetrated this act for the very same reasons, this would have been known and introduced as an act of terrorism. Much the same way The Black Panthers, The Black Liberation Army were looked upon as domestic threats without any thought to the motivation behind the actions of these groups and it because to acknowledge the motivation that drives these groups is make and admittance of wrongdoing and thus creating a responsibility fix it and the government will not do that.

But for Joe Stacks a white man his anger his motivation will be heard and understood by the masses (cuz surely the government is rewriting tax law and the cant get healthcare straight)not so much because of the impact of his actions but because he is a white man.

Take My Pound of Flesh and sleep well.

2010-02-18T22:38:00.000-08:00

Joe Stacks Last Words

If you’re reading this, you’re no doubt asking yourself, “Why did this have to happen?” The simple truth is that it is complicated and has been coming for a long time. The writing process, started many months ago, was intended to be therapy in the face of the looming realization that there isn’t enough therapy in the world that can fix what is really broken. Needless to say, this rant could fill volumes with example after example if I would let it. I find the process of writing it frustrating, tedious, and probably pointless… especially given my gross inability to gracefully articulate my thoughts in light of the storm raging in my head. Exactly what is therapeutic about that I’m not sure, but desperate times call for desperate measures.

We are all taught as children that without laws there would be no society, only anarchy. Sadly, starting at early ages we in this country have been brainwashed to believe that, in return for our dedication and service, our government stands for justice for all. We are further brainwashed to believe that there is freedom in this place, and that we should be ready to lay our lives down for the noble principals represented by its founding fathers. Remember? One of these was “no taxation without representation”. I have spent the total years of my adulthood unlearning that crap from only a few years of my childhood. These days anyone who really stands up for that principal is promptly labeled a “crackpot”, traitor and worse.

While very few working people would say they haven’t had their fair share of taxes (as can I), in my lifetime I can say with a great degree of certainty that there has never been a politician cast a vote on any matter with the likes of me or my interests in mind. Nor, for that matter, are they the least bit interested in me or anything I have to say.

Why is it that a handful of thugs and plunderers can commit unthinkable atrocities (and in the case of the GM executives, for scores of years) and when it’s time for their gravy train to crash under the weight of their gluttony and overwhelming stupidity, the force of the full federal government has no difficulty coming to their aid within days if not hours? Yet at the same time, the joke we call the American medical system, including the drug and insurance companies, are murdering tens of thousands of people a year and stealing from the corpses and victims they cripple, and this country’s leaders don’t see this as important as bailing out a few of their vile, rich cronies. Yet, the political “representatives” (thieves, liars, and self-serving scumbags is far more accurate) have endless time to sit around for year after year and debate the state of the “terrible health care problem”. It’s clear they see no crisis as long as the dead people don’t get in the way of their corporate profits rolling in.

And justice? You’ve got to be kidding!

How can any rational individual explain that white elephant conundrum in the middle of our tax system and, indeed, our entire legal system? Here we have a system that is, by far, too complicated for the brightest of the master scholars to understand. Yet, it mercilessly “holds accountable” its victims, claiming that they’re responsible for fully complying with laws not even the experts understand. The law “requires” a signature on the bottom of a tax filing; yet no one can say truthfully that they understand what they are signing; if that’s not “duress” than what is. If this is not the measure of a totalitarian regime, nothing is.

How did I get here?

My introduction to the real American nightmare starts back in the early ‘80s. Unfortunately after more than 16 years of school, somewhere along the line I picked up the absurd, pompous notion that I could read and understand plain English. Some friends introduced me to a group of people who were having ‘tax code’ readings and discussions. In particular, zeroed in on a section relating to the wonderful “exemptions” that make institutions like the vulgar, corrupt Catholic Church so incredibly wealthy. We carefully studied the law (with the help of some of the “best”, high-paid, experienced tax lawyers in the business), and then began to do exactly what the “big boys” were doing (except that we weren’t steeling from our congregation or lying to the government about our massive profits in the name of God). We took a great deal of care to make it all visible, following all of the rules, exactly the way the law said it was to be done.

The intent of this exercise and our efforts was to bring about a much-needed re-evaluation of the laws that allow the monsters of organized religion to make such a mockery of people who earn an honest living. However, this is where I learned that there are two “interpretations” for every law; one for the very rich, and one for the rest of us… Oh, and the monsters are the very ones making and enforcing the laws; the inquisition is still alive and well today in this country.

That little lesson in patriotism cost me $40,000+, 10 years of my life, and set my retirement plans back to 0. It made me realize for the first time that I live in a country with an ideology that is based on a total and complete lie. It also made me realize, not only how naive I had been, but also the incredible stupidity of the American public; that they buy, hook, line, and sinker, the crap about their “freedom”… and that they continue to do so with eyes closed in the face of overwhelming evidence and all that keeps happening in front of them.

Before even having to make a shaky recovery from the sting of the first lesson on what justice really means in this country (around 1984 after making my way through engineering school and still another five years of “paying my dues”), I felt I finally had to take a chance of launching my dream of becoming an independent engineer.

On the subjects of engineers and dreams of independence, I should digress somewhat to say that I’m sure that I inherited the fascination for creative problem solving from my father. I realized this at a very young age.

The significance of independence, however, came much later during my early years of college; at the age of 18 or 19 when I was living on my own as student in an apartment in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. My neighbor was an elderly retired woman (80+ seemed ancient to me at that age) who was the widowed wife of a retired steel worker. Her husband had worked all his life in the steel mills of central Pennsylvania with promises from big business and the union that, for his 30 years of service, he would have a pension and medical care to look forward to in his retirement. Instead he was one of the thousands who got nothing because the incompetent mill management and corrupt union (not to mention the government) raided their pension funds and stole their retirement. All she had was social security to live on.

In retrospect, the situation was laughable because here I was living on peanut butter and bread (or Ritz crackers when I could afford to splurge) for months at a time. When I got to know this poor figure and heard her story I felt worse for her plight than for my own (I, after all, I thought I had everything to in front of me). I was genuinely appalled at one point, as we exchanged stories and commiserated with each other over our situations, when she in her grandmotherly fashion tried to convince me that I would be “healthier” eating cat food (like her) rather than trying to get all my substance from peanut butter and bread. I couldn’t quite go there, but the impression was made. I decided that I didn’t trust big business to take care of me, and that I would take responsibility for my own future and myself.

Return to the early ‘80s, and here I was off to a terrifying start as a ‘wet-behind-the-ears’ contract software engineer… and two years later, thanks to the fine backroom, midnight effort by the sleazy executives of Arthur Andersen (the very same folks who later brought us Enron and other such calamities) and an equally sleazy New York Senator (Patrick Moynihan), we saw the passage of 1986 tax reform act with its section 1706.

For you who are unfamiliar, here is the core text of the IRS Section 1706, defining the treatment of workers (such as contract engineers) for tax purposes. Visit this link for a conference committee report (http://www.synergistech.com/1706.shtml#ConferenceCommitteeReport) regarding the intended interpretation of Section 1706 and the relevant parts of Section 530, as amended. For information on how these laws affect technical services workers and their clients, read our discussion here (http://www.synergistech.com/ic-taxlaw.shtml).

SEC. 1706. TREATMENT OF CERTAIN TECHNICAL PERSONNEL.

(a) IN GENERAL - Section 530 of the Revenue Act of 1978 is amended by adding at the end thereof the following new subsection:

(d) EXCEPTION. - This section shall not apply in the case of an individual who pursuant to an arrangement between the taxpayer and another person, provides services for such other person as an engineer, designer, drafter, computer programmer, systems analyst, or other similarly skilled worker engaged in a similar line of work.

(b) EFFECTIVE DATE. - The amendment made by this section shall apply to remuneration paid and services rendered after December 31, 1986.

Note:

Â· “another person” is the client in the traditional job-shop relationship.

Â· “taxpayer” is the recruiter, broker, agency, or job shop.

Â· “individual”, “employee”, or “worker” is you.

Admittedly, you need to read the treatment to understand what it is saying but it’s not very complicated. The bottom line is that they may as well have put my name right in the text of section (d). Moreover, they could only have been more blunt if they would have came out and directly declared me a criminal and non-citizen slave. Twenty years later, I still can’t believe my eyes.

During 1987, I spent close to $5000 of my ‘pocket change’, and at least 1000 hours of my time writing, printing, and mailing to any senator, congressman, governor, or slug that might listen; none did, and they universally treated me as if I was wasting their time. I spent countless hours on the L.A. freeways driving to meetings and any and all of the disorganized professional groups who were attempting to mount a campaign against this atrocity. This, only to discover that our efforts were being easily derailed by a few moles from the brokers who were just beginning to enjoy the windfall from the new declaration of their “freedom”. Oh, and don’t forget, for all of the time I was spending on this, I was loosing income that I couldn’t bill clients.

After months of struggling it had clearly gotten to be a futile exercise. The best we could get for all of our trouble is a pronouncement from an IRS mouthpiece that they weren’t going to enforce that provision (read harass engineers and scientists). This immediately proved to be a lie, and the mere existence of the regulation began to have its impact on my bottom line; this, of course, was the intended effect.

Again, rewind my retirement plans back to 0 and shift them into idle. If I had any sense, I clearly should have left abandoned engineering and never looked back.

Instead I got busy working 100-hour workweeks. Then came the L.A. depression of the early 1990s. Our leaders decided that they didn’t need the all of those extra Air Force bases they had in Southern California, so they were closed; just like that. The result was economic devastation in the region that rivaled the widely publicized Texas S&L; fiasco. However, because the government caused it, no one gave a shit about all of the young families who lost their homes or street after street of boarded up houses abandoned to the wealthy loan companies who received government funds to “shore up” their windfall. Again, I lost my retirement.

Years later, after weathering a divorce and the constant struggle trying to build some momentum with my business, I find myself once again beginning to finally pick up some speed. Then came the .COM bust and the 911 nightmare. Our leaders decided that all aircraft were grounded for what seemed like an eternity; and long after that, ‘special’ facilities like San Francisco were on security alert for months. This made access to my customers prohibitively expensive. Ironically, after what they had done the Government came to the aid of the airlines with billions of our tax dollars … as usual they left me to rot and die while they bailed out their rich, incompetent cronies WITH MY MONEY! After these events, there went my business but not quite yet all of my retirement and savings.

By this time, I’m thinking that it might be good for a change. Bye to California, I’ll try Austin for a while. So I moved, only to find out that this is a place with a highly inflated sense of self-importance and where damn little real engineering work is done. I’ve never experienced such a hard time finding work. The rates are 1/3 of what I was earning before the crash, because pay rates here are fixed by the three or four large companies in the area who are in collusion to drive down prices and wages… and this happens because the justice department is all on the take and doesn’t give a fuck about serving anyone or anything but themselves and their rich buddies.

To survive, I was forced to cannibalize my savings and retirement, the last of which was a small IRA. This came in a year with mammoth expenses and not a single dollar of income. I filed no return that year thinking that because I didn’t have any income there was no need. The sleazy government decided that they disagreed. But they didn’t notify me in time for me to launch a legal objection so when I attempted to get a protest filed with the court I was told I was no longer entitled to due process because the time to file ran out. Bend over for another $10,000 helping of justice.

So now we come to the present. After my experience with the CPA world, following the business crash I swore that I’d never enter another accountant’s office again. But here I am with a new marriage and a boatload of undocumented income, not to mention an expensive new business asset, a piano, which I had no idea how to handle. After considerable thought I decided that it would be irresponsible NOT to get professional help; a very big mistake.

When we received the forms back I was very optimistic that they were in order. I had taken all of the years information to Bill Ross, and he came back with results very similar to what I was expecting. Except that he had neglected to include the contents of Sheryl’s unreported income; $12,700 worth of it. To make matters worse, Ross knew all along this was missing and I didn’t have a clue until he pointed it out in the middle of the audit. By that time it had become brutally evident that he was representing himself and not me.

This left me stuck in the middle of this disaster trying to defend transactions that have no relationship to anything tax-related (at least the tax-related transactions were poorly documented). Things I never knew anything about and things my wife had no clue would ever matter to anyone. The end result is… well, just look around.

I remember reading about the stock market crash before the “great” depression and how there were wealthy bankers and businessmen jumping out of windows when they realized they screwed up and lost everything. Isn’t it ironic how far we’ve come in 60 years in this country that they now know how to fix that little economic problem; they just steal from the middle class (who doesn’t have any say in it, elections are a joke) to cover their asses and it’s “business-as-usual”. Now when the wealthy fuck up, the poor get to die for the mistakes… isn’t that a clever, tidy solution.

As government agencies go, the FAA is often justifiably referred to as a tombstone agency, though they are hardly alone. The recent presidential puppet GW Bush and his cronies in their eight years certainly reinforced for all of us that this criticism rings equally true for all of the government. Nothing changes unless there is a body count (unless it is in the interest of the wealthy sows at the government trough). In a government full of hypocrites from top to bottom, life is as cheap as their lies and their self-serving laws.

I know I’m hardly the first one to decide I have had all I can stand. It has always been a myth that people have stopped dying for their freedom in this country, and it isn’t limited to the blacks, and poor immigrants. I know there have been countless before me and there are sure to be as many after. But I also know that by not adding my body to the count, I insure nothing will change. I choose to not keep looking over my shoulder at “big brother” while he strips my carcass, I choose not to ignore what is going on all around me, I choose not to pretend that business as usual won’t continue; I have just had enough.

I can only hope that the numbers quickly get too big to be white washed and ignored that the American zombies wake up and revolt; it will take nothing less. I would only hope that by striking a nerve that stimulates the inevitable double standard, knee-jerk government reaction that results in more stupid draconian restrictions people wake up and begin to see the pompous political thugs and their mindless minions for what they are. Sadly, though I spent my entire life trying to believe it wasn’t so, but violence not only is the answer, it is the only answer. The cruel joke is that the really big chunks of shit at the top have known this all along and have been laughing, at and using this awareness against, fools like me all along.

I saw it written once that the definition of insanity is repeating the same process over and over and expecting the outcome to suddenly be different. I am finally ready to stop this insanity. Well, Mr. Big Brother IRS man, let’s try something different; take my pound of flesh and sleep well.

The communist creed: From each according to his ability, to each according to his need.

The capitalist creed: From each according to his gullibility, to each according to his greed.

Joe Stack (1956-2010)

02/18/2010

source

formspring.me

2010-02-14T00:17:00.001-08:00

What 3 things do you think will become obsolete in the next ten years?

paper based products, common sense, fossil fuels hopefully

Ask me anything

When do you know it was time to lock your hair?

well. when it got long enough for the stylist to twist it. at that point time to start. however it may take locs 6 months to a year to loc up depending on ur hair

21 minutes ago

I Heart (NAPPY HEADED BLACK CHILD) blog..Much Love To You..

thank you so much i appreciate your support

24 minutes ago

Haiti: Killing the Dream Western Subversion of Haiti

2010-02-10T09:37:00.000-08:00

http://www.democracynow.org/2010/2/10/killing_the_dream_excerpt_of_documentary

Actual Black History: Afrikan Martial Sciences A brief overview

2010-02-09T20:12:00.000-08:00

http://www.scribd.com/doc/26646354/African-Martial-Arts <---Download it here

Homepage of the Author (click here)

African Martial Arts Styles (click here)

Queen Askari's Youtube Channel (click here)

This is a humble effort to present an overview of the Afrikan Martial Sciences in 850 words. The experience has been like editing down all the species of Earth to only 10 different types per continent. The dilemma is dealing with a time line of millenims from which to select the most important “creatures” to represent the magjesty of Creation. Yet what I will present is a valiant effort to stir the spirit of all who read these “cliff notes” to contact me for the “War and Peace” version and then begin their personal journey to research the glorious history of the Afrkan Martial Sciences!

Even with the unearthing of the Ishango Bone (dated 25,000 BCE) in AFrika in 1960 – the media has still presented the “Motherland” as a vast uncivilized land mass that was subdued by military and fighting strategies that were created by other cultures.
Yet with the introduction of the internet - Afrika - is being acknowledged not only as the birthplace of civilization but as the fundamental component of the martial combative sciences. These fighting systems were akin to our modern ground, boxing, & gymnastic techniques. Finally our 21st century society is slowly becoming familiar with the Afrikan fighting arts such as Zuar, Testa, Kalinda, Palo, Zulu Impi, Dula Meketa, Dambe and N’oboro.

First and foremost – let’s stop the myth that strangers just walked into AFrika and took people at will and no one fought back!
Throughout history, Afrikans have been venerated for their martial prowess. According to scientific timelines - the first widely recognized civilization – (1000 years before Kemet/Egypt) was Nubia (5500 BCE) (the present day Sudan) complete with martial sciences.

King Taharka (712 -657 BCE) was just one of the military geniuses of the Empire of Nubia - which translates to – “Land of the Bow”. His expert fighting systems (Archery, Wrestling, Stick Fighting) earned him a place of honor in the Bible for fighting as an ally of the Hebrews (2Kings 19:9 & Isaiah 37:9) Though many have been teaching this information about Nubia for centuries – it has finally been acknowledged by the National Geographic February 2008 Edition!

Until present day, one can find in the Chinese Civilization (4000 BCE) the lion dance as part of their culture for millenniums... But lions do not originate in China... So where was the connection? A small trivia note: Mali (a country in Afrika) has the largest Tibetan population outside of the country of Tibet. Now the war arts of the Japanese civilization (700 CE) are better known since they had the most diplomatic contact with the Western societies. Yet there is a Japanese proverb in a Japanese temple that says: "In order to be a Samurai - one must have a bit of Black Blood". To justify this statement all one need to do is research some of the tapestries that hold the image of “Tieguai - The Iron Staff Immortal”, one of the venerated 9 of Taoism.

Continuing on our historical journey I wish to introduce Hannibal (247-182 BCE). Hannibal the great military genius was Monarch of Carthage - which makes Hannibal an Afrikan War Superstar! He ruled Carthage (now Tunisia) which was in Northern AFrika. He was a Black Man, a Moor, a General and a royal pain in the behind to the Roman Empire (500 – 375 BCE). His military strategies even today are alive and well often being put to good use by the Pentagon. He outwitted the Roman military machine especially with those elephants over the Alps. The Moorish colonization of Spain and Portugal brought much to those cultures. And from the medieval era there was the “Black Knight” Saint Maurice, canonized by the Catholic Church for his honor on and off the battlefield.

Afrikan cultures were established in 10,000 BCE! Imagine that as an equation... Historical antiquity is very much an interactive kaleidoscope of stories, traditions and facts. Physical travel was the only source of communication between cultures and visiting from one country to the next meant people stayed sometimes for years…. Prime example: Marco Polo! And if he hadn’t brought those Chinese Martial Arts Performers back to Europe with him then Louis the XVI would never have seen this art and then there never would have been ballet! But that is a story for another time…..
During these times any number of events (plague, small battles, marriage, birth, and death) could change the leadership thus the entire scope of the mission. So those countries that were the closest in geography were also the closest in culture. Specifically I am referring to Coastal areas of Afrika in relation to Greece and Italy in ancient times. Then came Spain and Portugal – and the diaspora began through the slave trade.

Now lets’ “Bite” into the meat of the story with Alexander of Macedonia/Greece (356-323 BCE) and his dear buddy Aristotle (384-324 BCE). This dynamic duo traveled to Alexandria, Kemet and spent a great deal of time collecting information on EVERYTHING….. Math, Science, Medicine, History, and of course… Military hand to hand. They translated into Greek the military strategies from the Nubian fighting systems that were archived in the Library of Alexandria.

Remember these scientific facts…. The first civilizations were established in Afrika (Kemet, Nubia, Kush and Ethiopia) complete with physical sciences, mathematics, history, medicine, art, dance, x-ray machines, calendars, electricity, irrigation systems, astronomy, surgery, universities, anatomy and martial sciences. These civilizations were the first interactive with the Middle Eastern empires - Persia & Babylon - especially in war.

Quick commercial break:
Are you aware that Aesop was a composite mythical person. He is the Greek version of the Afrikan culture keeper Luqman who is even noted in the Quran. The word "Griot" is Greek term for a storyteller and the Afrikan term is “ahadithi milinzi. This information was then absorbed into the Greek culture including the 42 laws of Maat (Honor Code) from Kemet. So by the time Plato (350 BCE) got the “word” 20 years later – the fact that the information was found in Kemet was erased. Yet this great skill of “culture keeping” is still very much alive in the great country of Mali!
Now on to the Great Zulu Nation under the leadership of Shaka. Shaka kept the British at bay for generations. His 50,000 warriors would run 50 miles to battle and run back… Now that is combat ready…He was referred to as the “AFrikan Napoleon”. Yet I think that Pathfinder Miriam Makeba said it better, “Napoleon was the white Shaka!” Sadly the movie version of his life cast him as a savage who was subdued by British might and a white woman. Have you heard that story line before?

Then there were certain tribes that were not to be captured. Slave traders banned the Ibo tribe from their ships. Ibo warriors would chew off bonds into their flesh to free themselves then would lunge over board with a captor in their grip. Even the Women and Children – once taken off the slave ships – would boldly walk back into the sea in chains and drown themselves rather than live in bondage.

So do not even think that it was an “all male party” in Afrika in the martial sciences - considering that the first true human remains that were found in AFrika were a woman. And since all DNA has been scientifically traced back to that of one woman - I wonder if women were the first martial warriors too!

Afrikan women warriors are seriously recognized in many cultures. There was the great Queen Zenobia who was consistently victorious over the Roman Battle machines. So much so they made her a “consultant” after her capture. Also in ancient times - the Candaces (Queens) of Ethiopia (Kush) have stood as a symbol of warriorship throughout time protecting their country…..

“Though Alexander reached Kemet (Ancient Egypt) in 332 B.C., on his world conquering rampage there was one of the greatest generals of the ancient world also the Empress of Ethiopia. This formidable Black Queen Candace was world famous as a military tactician & field commander. Alexander could not entertain even the possibility of having his world fame and unbroken chain of victories marred by risking a defeat, at last, by a woman. He halted his armies at the borders of Ethiopia and did not invade to meet the waiting Black armies with their Queen in personal command.”
The prowess of the Afrikan female warrior can also be documented through the stick fighting of the Ashanti women during battle. Then there were the French troops who were struck with fear when confronted by the Dahomey All Female Regiments. The metal weapons of these women were attached to a rope and were used to decapitate.
There are no such women as Amazons… Just really dedicated female tacticians to the war arts in Afrika. These were the women who sparked the Amazon female legends. Here’s a question: If the Amazon River is in South America why are there no stories of warrior women during antiquity (Prior to 4000 BCE) from there? Obviously the Greeks did not travel to South America where these stories mostly originate! Or did they stumble on an AFrikan Female military legion and have a “heart to stone” experience with Afrikan Women who wore “locks” that resembled “snakes” thus the story of Medusa?

The Hebrew culture has given the Afrikan culture their props throughout history especially with the great union of Queen Makeda of Ethiopia (Sheba) and King Solomon. This great “Candace” traveled with her armies across the desert without fear to consult with a perfect stranger. Now that is a thought to make some light bulbs blink. Their offspring set forth a formidable lineage that can proudly state that the country of Ethiopia WAS NEVER COLONIZED BY ANY OUTSIDE POLITICAL POWER!
In more modern times we find another incredible military legacy that has spanned generations. Queen Nzinga Mbanda of Ndongo and Matamba (1583 – 1663) was monarch and general of her country of Angola until she was 63 years wise. She was royal authority over a vast territory known today as Southern Cameroon, Gabon, Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia and Angola. She really aggravated the Portuguese by keeping them out of her country for 3 decades.

“But if Portugal fathered Brazil, Angola was the Black Mother on whose lap the child grew!”
Neves Souza, Da minha Africa e do Brasil que eu vi

The Portuguese and the Spanish were the first slave traders in AFrika and South America forcing hundreds of thousands of Afrikans from their soil. Their brutal treatment of natives is legendary and gave other countries the green light to initiate their enslavement of these cultures.
Yet the N’golo fighting techniques of this great monarch from Angola survived throughout the West Indies and South America. The very word "Ginga" which is the signature evasion technique of Capoeira is derived from her name. Specifically in Brazil the fighting arts of the Angola were absorbed into the culture. The N’golo is a Bantu combative science that is the progenitor of several combative arts that developed in the Americas.

The N’golo is also known as the Fight of the Zebras – a combat directed courtship ritual performed by young men of a village to win the hand of a young woman in marriage. Capoeira comes from the great AFrikan country of Angola. One tradition has capoeira, named for the slave quarters – capoeiras. Even now visitors to the country of Angola in Afrika can witness young men twirling expertly as they perform the “n’golo” while the “village healing circle” (roda in Capoeira terminology) pulsates around the participants chanting the “num” - the song from God. Even the modern day capoeira has the two very distinct styles: Angolan and Regional. No mention of Portugal here!!!

And as with all natural progressions of the culture of Afrika – evolution continued with “Break Dancing”, the great-grandchild of these challenge arts becoming the ultimate international “fight/dance” activity is still making history after its appearance in the 1970’s. This art has eliminated violent gang encounters in countless urban cities. It was the Black youth who brought the techniques to the general population in the “Boogie Down Bronx” with the Puerto Rican youth who took it to the “ground”. “Fever and Spy” were some on the first Black Breakers and “Patch” was one of the first Puerto Rican Stylist. The first “Breaking Crews” were NYC Breakers, Sal Soul Crew, TDD Crew Rock City Crew, Young City Boys and The Dynamic Rockers. And the legacy contiues with 21st Century AFrikan combat/dances legacy such as “krump’ng” which can be linked directly to the magnificent was routines of the Zulu nation.

Unfortunately it was the scourge of slavery that limited the Afrikan fighting arts in the Americas. Even Capoeira was outlawed in Brazil for years being tagged as “an activity of black criminals”. One of the most effective styles is called Jail House Rock which appeared during this genocide time period. Still in use today - it is most prevalent in the penal system. As an “ahadithi milinza”, (Culture Keeper) I have spent a great deal of time reading literature from many cultures especially my own. Sadly in our country no one mentions anything of the AFrikan culture prior to slavery in the common public education history books in depth. Therefore the world society largely believes that that Black people had no idea of civilization and the components thereof like martial sciences….

Unfortunately it was the scourge of slavery that limited the Afrikan fighting arts in the Americas. Even Capoeira was outlawed in Brazil for years being tagged as “an activity of black criminals”. One of the most effective styles is called Jail House Rock which appeared during this genocide time period. Still in use today - it is most prevalent in the penal system.

But just in case you are still feeling guilty about using words such as Plague or Holocaust when asked to describe slavery….. Here is a quote to chew on: “Colonialism is not satisfied merely with hiding a people in its grip and emptying the natives’ brain of all form and content. By a kind of perverted logic, it turns to the past of the oppressed people, and distorts, disfigures and destroys it.” Frantz Fanon, On National Culture Colonial Discourse and Post Colonial Theory. (P. 37)

Pretty Girls

2010-02-08T20:30:00.000-08:00

People were mad today because wale's video didn't have any dark skinned women in it and rightfully so. For a song to be entitled Pretty Girls and only show light skinned women is offensive and furthers a phenomenon called colorism.

Colorism is a form of discrimination that assigns value on a person based upon the color. Now some of you are saying "that sounds like racism" thats incorrect they are both forms of prejudice but they are based on two different bases.

Racism is based on ethnicity. Essentially where u come from or what your descent may be.

so for example take these two pictures.

Both of these women are of African Descent a statement of heritage but the second woman is black while the first on is not. Why? Because the term black is an adjective. Black is a color. Often times they are used interchangeably (i do it all the time) but are really quite different.

To elevate the 1st woman over the second woman because of the fact that she is lighter is colorism.

Colorism has its roots in white supremacist beauty standards that says the closer one is to those standards the more valuable. Which is why often times why you often see women that look like the first photo being highlighted as the epitome and often the only representation of blackness one sees in the media.

for example here is the same woman from the first picture looking extra caucasian for her "High Fashion" clothes. If you think the super fair complexion and the hair is a coincidence guess again.

So placing this video in that context. Pretty Girls is yet another example of light skinned women being better than black women. This lack of affirmation of causes self conciousness and damages self esteem and while this particular incident by itself seems inconsequential if one pays attention you'll see just how prevalent it is.

Now this discussion was all over twitter and folks were going at wale left and right for the lack of Black women in this video.

Wale had this to say

I have to admit he has a good point. The making of a music video is a complex and casting is generally the responsibility of the director and not the artist. Who gets cast is dependent on who shows up to the casting call. Valid arguments. Personally i dont feel as though Wale has some anti dark skin agenda such as ya boy Mr Get Smacked Up Himself Yung Berg. My biggest issue with this whole discussion was in the approach. I saw soooo many people just attacking out of anger and defeating the whole purpose of having this as discussion. Putting someone on the defensive is not a good way to shine some light. Some of yall should be ashamed trill talk.

The Mic is a powerful tool and as an artist or anyone with such a platform should take care to deal properly with these situations and part of that is processing the anger first before speaking.

See what did i just say...?

2010-02-06T20:46:00.001-08:00

really though? You just gonna disrespect everything black people have ever stood for ....for a discount on straight hair...for real?

Black History Month is basically Black Trivia Month

2010-02-06T15:04:00.000-08:00

From Black History Week

To Black History Month

To Black History 365

To Black OurStory

We have lengthened the time (sorta) that black history is recognized. But i think we really need to deal with the scope.

Whenever we talk about black history we deal with black people who where the first or most prolific to do something. When history is about what happened in context of the world that it happened (which would include all that came before that moment).

Earlier today i was watching TV and saw a UNCF commercial yknow the mind is a terrible thing to waste joints and the be black history they were referencing (the invention of the lawnmower, traffic light stuff like that) reminded me of trivia and for all intents and purposes it is trivia it simply does not address the reality that Black History transcends recorded history and all national/continental boundaries. But some how we dont manage to look back further than 1607 which is crazy to me. We dont look at black history in its worldwide context. When speaking of black history we rarely speak of people Imhotep (2700bc) earliest to deal with space time volume, nature of illness physical and mental, father of medicine architecture politics and philosophy

He was the earliest recorded mind in the world and was black and predates the father of european philosophy Thales by 2100 years. Who himself studied in Kemet (nile valley culture in africa) for 13 years.

Even if we were to put that aside in feburary most of people pare down Black history to what i call the personalities Black Trivia Month all of their work has benefited america which is always uninterested in our issues.

so going back to that UNCF commercial it displays all the innovations and improvements that have come from the black mind and one should invest money into the UNCF so that we dont miss out on the next improvement from us. My question is to what end? To me it seems like another yet another plea for acceptance for us to them. Which then begs the question why do we insist on highlighting those that have contributed to improving america which is a white supremacist nation as opposed to individuals like Assata Shakur, Sundita Acoli, Angela Davis, George Jackson, Huey Newton, Marcus Garvey, Baynard Rustin, Noble Drew Ali, Mumia Abu Jamal, The Black Liberation Army. These folks are not taught about because they were a danger and a threat to them. Much the same reason why you know about Shaka Zulu (because they were able to conquer him) and havent heard of King Katanga of the Congo. King Katanga defeated the Portuguese army, the Dutch army, the French and the British died king and free ruler of the Congo.

So lets be a lil more critical and scholarly of our understanding of our history. Shall we?

You Need to Read: Of Water and The Spirit

2010-02-01T22:35:00.000-08:00

I just finished reading the book Of Water and The Spirit: Ritual Magic and Initiation in the life of an African Shaman authored by Malidoma Some'

Its is an autobiography describing the first 21 or 22 years of the authors life where as a small boy he is abducted by Jesuit Missionaries and forcibly and harshly indoctrinated in to their spiritual traditions as wells their way of knowing thinking and processing the world around them. Only to eventually leave return to his village and attempt undergo the manhood initiation of his people. Through these two sections one can see the conflict that occurs between what is white and also what is tribal as Malidoma struggles to complete his initiation tasks that require him to ignore the teachings of the Jesuits which he was immersed in for 15 years.

His initiation serves to reacquaint him with the the various layers of reality in which the spirits of the world and his ancestors dwell. The place where his people draw their strength and their way of knowing, their wisdom, their understanding of the universe and ultimately our legacy. Malidoma brings us a world where there is no separation between what we would call the natural and the supernatural. As one of his elders put it, There is simply the nature you can see and the nature that you cant see.

You NEED i repeat NEED to read this book if your serious about reclaiming our lost legacy. Malidoma Some's insight is indispensable. After all its hard to return to and not to know where your returning to.

State of the Union Address 2010

2010-01-27T22:02:00.000-08:00

here it is

The state of the union accomplishes what we call in politics Agenda Setting. Explaining to the people congress and the party what the game plan is. Its a Propaganda tool essentially. Now im not gonna dissect everything im just gonna highlight a few things to prove a point

okay before we get started lets address some basic things

Obama is not a Black Panther, member of the NOI, or the UNIA he is a politician

The American political system is slow, only functional through compromise but is adversarial in structure.

Obama believes in American Government

Obama as the president can only introduce policy congress has to actually do the legwork to make it law

American Politicians are driven by ego and the what the will be the outcome political legacy

The Democrats have a history of piss poor party discipline (due to special interest and the variety of issues that fall under the democratic banner)

Currently politicians govern by campaigning (meaning decisions are made based
off doing things that will make you look good in a election or make an opponent look bad in an election there by eliminating progress on the basis of making something fail)

given these things Obama is up against a brick wall in terms of getting things done. He has been very busy and active. I believe he is trying and frankly if he wants a second term he is going to have to try harder.

Like Obama said Job is the first thing on the plate. I agree with this assessment. Money makes most people stop complaining and is going to make the democratic congress folk safer heading into midterms but thats provided this jobs package is put into effect and is showing results before November. My issue here is where the jobs are created. By his example the bulk of them will be in manufacturing and construction and then their associated expertise mostly tech stuff.

Healthcare needs to be passed asap. Congress has gotten bogged down in the bullshit over public option which most people support. Sitting on Healthcare allows the GOP to misinform and create panic. Obama needs to sit down and and explain this thing. I would suggest paring the bill itself down because that bad boy is over 1000 pages however that would take too long. Ram this joint down the GOPs throat. This is becoming an issue of credibility.

Campaign Finance reform as well as Wall Street regs and the Bailout Business Regs are other places where Obama can shine with his populism. The supreme court has made a decision where corporations can give an unlimited amount of money to a political candidate. Basically handing them political power as dangerous as it is ridiculous (think shinra from FF7). Regulating wall street (responsibly of course) post recession is always a good idea particularly in the way of paying taxpayers back. And sanctioning business that go overseas is advisable as well.

Those at least for me were the major issues i wanted addressed. However none of this is set in stone. What one must realize is that this is only a plan. How this plan will be implemented if implemented at all i still to be determined. The biggest question mark is how. For example Obama mentioned substantially increasing exports. Which makes sense in the same way having a diverse stock portfolio (not putting all of your eggs in one basket like housing market). However lets really think about exports. First and formost lets think about who imports generally smaller countries who dont have the land, resources, or expertise to support growing or manufacturing their own. Also America is a wealthy nation which means they can sell for less sorta like walmart which cuts into the prices of smaller local shops. So its makes it harder for less wealthy nations to compete when exporting the same materials. Fact is poorer nations import more and export less. Increasing our exports will come at a cost of hurting the business of poorer nations. Haiti is a prime example. Haiti Imports American rice and it has destroyed rice growing on the island forcing out of jobs and thus people go into the city in poor conditions. This is an context with how the US has manipulated Haiti for its own benefit and a potential way increasing exports.

See my point? Implementation is key matter of fact implementation is just about everything eluding the law and the way its written (which is generally vague and malleable for the purpose of loose interpretation).

We not out of the woods yet and its looking to get uglier before it gets any better. Hold your officials accountable

The Myth of a Lawless Haiti

2010-01-25T17:21:00.000-08:00

source

As a member of the media covering the tragedy in Haiti, it's with a sense of alarm and astonishment that I've witnessed how some senior aid officials have argued for withholding aid of the utmost urgency because of sensational claims about violence and insecurity, which appear to be based more on fantasy than reality.

John O'Shea, who runs the well-known Irish aid agency Goal, has joined this chorus, telling the Guardian he couldn't get his trucks from the Dominican Republic to Haiti because he had no guarantees his drivers wouldn't be "macheted to death on the way down". He added that Goal has no plans to deploy its much-needed doctors and nurses on the streets of Port-au-Prince.

From what I've observed, such chilling claims do not match the reality on the ground; and by trumpeting a distorted and sensational picture about the violence, some senior aid officials may be culpable of undermining the very aid effort they are supposed to be promoting. When I traveled into Haiti's disaster zone last week from the Dominican Republic, I did so alone and on a bus, whose passengers were mostly Haitians, including some living in the US. Since then, whether on the road to Port-au-Prince or within the city, I have not witnessed anyone wielding a gun, a machete or a club of any kind. Nor have I witnessed an act of violence. (I have seen one badly wounded man who had been shot in circumstances which were unclear and who was eventually rescued by US soldiers after an American reporter sought help.)

Any violence is localised and sporadic; the situation is desperate yet not dangerous in general. Crucially, it's not a war zone; it's a disaster zone – and there appears to have been little attempt to distinguish carefully between destructive acts of criminality and the behaviour of starving people helping themselves to what they can forage. For Haitians and many of those trying to help them, the overriding sentiment is that a massive catastrophe on this scale shouldn't have to wait for aid because blanket security is the absolute priority.

_________________________________________________

Stay alert, and be prepared to act and use other non coporate methods of donating to Haiti's recovery!

So I guess "you are in public" only means something to me

2010-01-25T16:53:00.000-08:00

(click the photos to enlarge

so you have white people who are mad cuz only black people can make black people look stupid. and Black people reveling in the propagating stereotypes of black people (by saying something doesnt make you black that verifies that this is something that black people do)

Y know I understand making jokes. I understand the need for a cathartic laugh but really at the expense of our collective identity of black people and then to do so in front of the world and look what it produces. If yall didnt know...the internet is "in public" and participating in stuff like this contributes to transmission of the stereotypes being treated as a reality. A joke stops being a joke when folk start believing the joke is a reality. Stop giving this type of shit life. Its not funny.

Damn i mean do yall not realize the legacy of our people in this nation. How many lives were lost at the hands of this nation purely on the basis on profit and amusement. Think about that before you decide to make a mockery of your people

Mumia Update!!

2010-01-23T16:54:00.001-08:00

PLEASE READ: Open Letter to the people from Mumia Abu-Jamals Attorney.

______________________________________________________

Dear All:

This morning the U.S. Supreme Court issued the long-awaited ruling in the case of my client, Mumia Abu-Jamal, which we have been litigating for 15 months. The decision was as we expected. Mumia's case has been sent back to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, Philadelphia, for further proceedings consistent with the decision last weak in another case:

"The petition for a writ of certiorari is granted. The judgment is vacated, and the case is remanded to the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit for further consideration in light of Smith v. Spisak, 558 U.S. ___ (2010)."

The decision is not bad and was unavoidable in view of the Spisak case ruling. Now we must resume litigating the issue of the death penalty in the lower federal court. It previously ruled that the trial judge misled the jury and thus Mumia was entitled to a new jury trial on the issue of death or life. That is still the issue.

What occurred in Mumia's case is different both procedurally and factually from the jury instructions in Spisak. The prosecution disagrees.

Soon I will be posting more information on our website: http://www.MumiaLegalDefense.org. That may be checked regularly for updated information.

Petition for President Barack Obama It is crucial for people to sign the petition for President Barack Obama regarding Mumia, which is in 10 languages ("Mumia Abu-Jamal and the Global Abolition of the Death Penalty"). Please circulate the petition as widely as possible and, of course, sign. The link is: http://www.PetitionOnline.com/Mumialaw/petition.html.

Over 8,000 people, mostly from Germany, have signed in the few days since we launched the petition. These include: Günter Grass, Germany (Nobel Prize in Literature); Bishop Desmond Tutu, South Africa (Nobel Peace Prize); Danielle Mitterrand, Paris (former First Lady of France); Fatima Bhutto, Pakistan (writer); Noam Chomsky, MIT (philosopher & author); Ed Asner (actor; Mike Farrell (actor); and Michael Radford (director of the Oscar winning film Il Postino).

There is also a Facebook page for Mumia and our work to save him: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=407654295516&ref=mf

Tax-deductible Donations for Mumia's Legal Defense The only way to guarantee that donations in the U.S. go only to the legal defense, is to make checks payable to the National Lawyers Guild Foundation (indicate Mumia on the bottom left), or contact my office ( MumiaLegalDefense@gmail.com). The contributions are tax deductible under the Internal Revenue Code Code, section 501(c)(3), and should be mailed to:
Committee To Save Mumia Abu-Jamal
P.O. Box 2012
New York, NY 10159-2012

Conclusion Mumia remains on death row under a death judgment. He is in greater danger than at any time since his arrest over 28 years ago. The prosecution has said it will continue pursuing his execution. I win cases, and will not let them kill Mumia.

Yours very truly,

Robert R. Bryan
Law Offices of Robert R. Bryan
2088 Union Street, Suite 4
San Francisco, California 94123-4117

Lead counsel for Mumia Abu-Jamal

Freedom Archives
522 Valencia Street
San Francisco, CA 94110

415 863-9977

http://www.Freedomarchives.org

Haiti Declares Search and Resuce over, The Hope for Haiti Telethon and Some other things to think about

2010-01-23T15:31:00.000-08:00

source

Although it might seem barbaric or callous however the earthquake occured Jan 12 and it is now Jan 23. After two weeks it is reasonable to begin to make a transition from search and rescue to concerns like food water medical supplies clothes gas and infrastructure so supplies can actually get there. I think this is a wise decision. Its really sad and unfortunate that so many will have to live with the fact that they will never really know what has become of their loved onces who may still be under the rubble or in many of the mass graves.

In terms of Aid...i still encourage giving items or give money directly to groups that are paying for gas for planes to get to Haiti through to the Dominican Republic such as my friends at The Happily Natural Day Blog Understand that this will be a long term effort and we really need to pay attention to what is happening with this aid.

It is of the utmost importance that we make sure Haiti does not turn into does not turn into a hot bed of Disaster Capitalisim via mercenaries like Iraq or via corporations like New Orleans be on the look out and start writing your politicians now.

In addition Haiti has much oil and there are US troops there and i dont believe in coincidences

Furthermore we also need to be working towards Cancelling Haiti's Debt the petition can be found here (click right here)

As for Hope for Haiti

it raised 58 million. Very Cool.

I wanted it to be about hope and the victories, triumphs and strength of the haitian people in the midst of such a disaster instead of the poverty porn (yes i said poverty porn)that the american news media has been pumping over the TV. And to an extent it was.

But all in all Hope for Haiti is a disappointment in the sense that it did not address the truth. Some of the speakers seemed to allude to it at least to me anyway. That the reason why this earthquake was so devastating is the largely because of the exploitations of the West as Randall Robinson explains in one of my previous blogs

This was my favorite part

Yes Wyclef we are Africans

Consciousness and Christianity video blog

2010-01-19T23:38:00.000-08:00

excuse my awkwardness but this is straight from my heart by getting on webcam i hope yall can see my sincerity and that im growing struggling and adjusting in this world like everybody else. However I do wish i was cooler on camera i really do lol.

Consciousness and Christianity from Dingane Tyehimba on Vimeo.

The Why behind the Numbers in Haiti

2010-01-15T11:52:00.000-08:00

props to @beautynubian for this

All week the news has been reporting on Haiti poverty issue but no one is really addressing why Haiti is so impoverished. In essence only really getting a fraction of the story. In this video Randall Robinson Sums it up succinctly. Particularly the issue of enlisting Bill Clinton and George bush to help. One of the function of white supremacy is to be able to turn your sins into humanitarian efforts.

Robinson's Book on this topic can be found here

Barely Been A Day

2010-01-14T09:56:00.000-08:00

Haiti's Earthquake: Barely Been a Day and yall losing focus from Dingane Tyehimba on Vimeo.

An Idea on how to help Haiti

2010-01-13T17:31:00.000-08:00

So i want to help Haiti badly. I simply cannot watch my people suffer and lie under a roof safe and sound. I have to do more than just donate money. So here i have a proposal. I am going door to door to collect clothes blanket and anything else people are willing spare to help my brothers and sisters in Haiti. This is how im going to do it.

My plan is to print out a whole bunch of of these flyers in the jpeg, and staple them a trash bag. Then place them in mailboxes on door knobs car windows or whatever. Email and contact info is on as well as the pick up date have been left blank because i want everybody to get out in their local neighborhood an try this.

We have go to do our part for our people. Your conversation and prayers are nice be Haiti needs our action.

Below here there is a sendspace link where i have the document for the flyer saved. Please participate i think this could really help. Print them staple them to the garbage bags or just put the flyers on doors in your neighborhood.

http://www.sendspace.com/file/w71dt1

Nappy Headed Black Child

Im Tired Of Blogging

Jasmine Mans "Nicki Minaj"

Just Finished Reading

African vs. African Descent.

In 30 seconds

I Can No Longer Call Obama a Good Man with a Bad Job

This Should Be The Last Time A Republican Or Democrat Ever Gets Elected

Gender Performance and Hyper Masculinity

What Does This Mean...Really

Quick note on November Elections and economy

Class Warfare

Ernest Withers trusted Photographer of MLK Jr & FBI Cointelpro Informant

I Figure Yall Would Appreciate This...

Invisibility

Cross Damon The DC Sniper and Omar Thornton

A plea to young black men: Stop killing :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: John W. Fountain

If I Were President. Wyclef's Candidacy In Haiti

Thoughts on Black Identity & Community

I Would Take A Nap on a Good News Day

I'm having issues with "Black People Are the Original Children of Israel"

Sarcasm

Thoughts on Black Masculinity

Couldnt Have Said it Better Myself

TP vs Boondocks

A Dance Routine is Not Enough

Is This Okay?

Revelations

Do We Have To Start Killing the Police for them to have respect for our lives.

Are Our Discussions Appropriate or even Accurate?

The evolution of a "tea party" was pretty much inevitable

A Short Record of Police Brutality

Reactionary Gender Argument....

The Black Authenticity Paradigm

For Aiyana

Wishing Palestine and Gaza The Best...

Follow @OscarGrantTrial on twitter

Stuff You Can do for Aiyana

Another Chance for Action

Study Shows Blacks Will Never Gain Wealth Parity with Whites under the Current System

The Name Not Getting the Spotlight

Told ya So..

Aiyana's Grandmother Speaks

Release the Video Petition. SPREAD THIS EVERYWHERE

Release The Video!!! Possible cover up in Aiyana Jones Death

CLICK THE RADIO INTERVIEW OF GEOFFREY FIEGER. He explains the shot was fired from the outside that the police entered the wrong house and there was no criminal suspect there, and the suspicions of that the tape may get destroyed.

http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2010/05/attorney_geoffrey_fieger_alleg.html Listen to Geoffrey Fieger: Previous: Listen to Assistant Police Chief Ralph Godbee

7-Year Old Aiyana Jones

Normative Standards Paulo Freire and Arizona

Black Republicans: Realignment possible

Arizona Legislature Bans Ethnic Studies-Wants to Remove Teachers from Classes Who have Accents | Southern Shift

This Right Here...

Arizona Boycott | Boycotting Arizona Companies

Thomas Hagan Goes Free...*shrugs*

Bill Gates Admits Vaccines Are Used for Human Depopulation

Scum Bucket of the Week: Meet Arizona Lawmaker Russell Pearce | Southern Shift

Framing An Execution: Mumia Abu-Jamal and the Media

Miss me w/ that Post Racial: Arizona Done Went Wild

I Gotta Get This Money First

Pet Peeves

Day of Silence

Health Care Reform...Yo chillllll

Couldnt Say It Better: Tea Party Is All About Race

Breeding Blacker

when you coming back

Ether: Multiracial Sheep is the White Supremacist Fox

Freaknik The Musical: Perhaps I was Hasty

Oh Word!

Somali pirates tell their side

Action for Jaime Scott

The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness

I Give You Operation Exodus

Listen....I don't care if you pull Hattie McDaniel out, I still don't like Precious.

Thoughts on why cut education and other issues

Without Truth...

Invisibility

Arrest Quotas...Oh Word?

The Senate Graveyard

The Principle Of Governing by Campaign.

R.I.P T-Shirts and Tattoos as Ancestor Veneration

http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2010/05/attorney_geoffrey_fieger_alleg.html

Listen to Geoffrey Fieger:

Previous: Listen to Assistant Police Chief Ralph Godbee

Thomas Hagan Goes Free...shrugs