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Thursday, July 31, 2008

"Black women are an endangered species"- AIDS and Black Women

By now you should have heard about the report that one out of two people with AIDS in this country are Black. Well that sounds about right because one out of two people murdered in this country are also Black.

AIDS is the leading cause of death among black women between 25 and 34, and the second-leading cause of death in black men from 35 to 44, according to a report released Tuesday. CNN.com
You can have all of the AIDS prevention awareness programming you want, but what we are fighting here is as much a disease of the mind as one of the body.

"For a lot of young black women, what's putting them at risk is emotion," the 29-year-old iReporter said. "Young women are going to men for security -- you're talking about a fatherless home and a girl looking for approval. That's the kind of thing that puts them at risk." CNN.com

I was horrified and EMBARRASSED sitting in Atlanta's airport at 5:45 in the morning waiting to catch a flight. I was finally forced to watch Soledad O'Brien's "Black PROBLEMS in America" I saw the vignette of the single Black woman who does not use condoms despite the fact that she thinks her "man" is cheating on here. I think every Black person in the boarding areas had their mouth open. One brother looked downright indignant.

I have no solutions to offer on this one, but I doubt that that single Black mother on Soledad's "Black PROBLEMS in America" is likely to change her mind. For some women being without a man, any man is a fate worse than death and it appears that that mentality is costing Black women their lives.

LaVena Johnsons Update:Oversight Hearing on Sexual Assault in the Military This Morning at 10:00 EST

Watch hearing on webcast
In 30 minutes a hearing Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs will conduct an oversight hearing into the current status of sexual response and prevention within the U.S. military. This hearing seeks to ensure that the Department of Defense has adequate policies and oversight mechanisms in place to prevent, treat, and punish sexual assaults.

LaVena Johnson's case is not on the agenda, but members of Congress will be asking Army Officer's questions so it was a good opportunity to possibly get a few answers on the LaVena Johnson case or highlight it again. I know many of you have written to ask the members of the committee to ask about LaVena's case and some of you are actually gong to the hearing. I would give you advice, but you are probably sitting on the hard floor of the Rayburn Building waiting to get in right now. If you take your laptop, head for the side where the power outlets are and if some high school student intern tries to tel you that the area is just for the media just say "I AM the media!" and sit down. Make sure you stick around for Panel Three were the Department of Defense and U.S. Army, and GAO will provide testimony.

Witness List

Panel One – Members of Congress (Statements Only):

Honorable Louise M. Slaughter, Member of Congress (NY-28)

Honorable Jane S. Harman, Member of Congress (CA-36)

Panel Two – Victims and Family Members:

Ms. Ingrid Torres, MSW, CSW, Washington, DC

Mrs. Mary Lauterbach, Mother of Lance Cpl. Maria Lauterbach, Vandalia, Ohio

Panel Three – Department of Defense and U.S. Army, and GAO:


Mr. Michael Dominguez, Principal Deputy Undersecretary for Defense
(Personnel and Readiness)

Dr. Kaye Whitley, Director, Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office, U.S. Department of Defense

Lieutenant General Michael D. Rochelle, Deputy Chief of Staff G-1,
United States Army

Ms. Brenda S. Farrell, Director, Defense Capabilities and Management, U.S.
Government Accountability Office

The hearing is scheduled to begin at 10:00 am in room 2154 of the Rayburn House Office Building and is open to the public.


What About Our Daughters has received credentials to cover the 2008 Democratic National Convention. We are asking for your support in making sure that the voices, stories, and perspectives of African American women and girls are woven into the fabric of this historic event!Please consider donating by clicking our donate button in the sidebar.

BWB Roundup Podcast- Clarissa Goodlett from Color of Change and Necole from NecoleBitchie.com are on 8:00PM CST

Okay. So we are going to give our two lunchtime panelists from Blogging While Brown an opportunity to speak!

We had a panel about new media and online activists and their relationship with old media and old guard civil rights groups and whether there are gulfs between the two groups and whether bloggers and online activists should even bother to try. The panel went off on an unexpected tangent about money so I have invited our two panelists to the roundtable where they will get to talk about what I wanted to talk about at the conference.

Necole will be on at 8:00PM CST and Clarissa will join us at 8:30PM. In addition we will be talking with Clarissa about Color of Change's campaign on behalf of the family of LaVena Johnson.

The call in number is 646-478-4750
8:00PM CST

Listen to Black Women's Roundtable on internet talk radio

What About Our Daughters has received credentials to cover the 2008 Democratic National Convention. We are asking for your support in making sure that the voices, stories, and perspectives of African American women and girls are woven into the fabric of this historic event!Please consider donating by clicking our donate button in the sidebar.

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Ludacris Accepts Position With McCain Campaign - Obama Denounces

“Hillary hated on you, so that bitch is irrelevant,” declared Luda on the track titled “Politics: Obama is Here” Ludacris ( hat tip Sandra Rose)



I saw this earlier today at Sandra Rose. It is a new "song" from Ludacris. Oh this is sure to go over well in the flyover states. Ig'nant. These merchants of misogyny don't have the sense God gave a chicken. Anything for a dollar and a bisquit.

For his part, Barack Obama quickly denounced Ludicris.
“As Barack Obama has said many, many times in the past, rap lyrics today
too often perpetuate misogyny, materialism, and degrading images that he
doesn’t want his daughters or any children exposed to. This song is not only
outrageously offensive to Senator Clinton, Reverend Jackson, Senator McCain,
and President Bush, it is offensive to all of us who are trying to raise our
children with the values we hold dear. While Ludacris is a talented
individual he should be ashamed of these lyrics.”

Sandra pretty much sums up this clear cry for attention:


Expect Luda’s publicist to issue a carefully worded prepared statement apologizing for his “unintended” offensive lyrics in 5…4….3…2 Sandra Rose
Yeah right. Unintended? Its going to be a long hot summer. Folks are we really ready for prime time?

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Color of Change Launches Campaign to Get hearings for LaVena Johnson

SEND A MESSAGE TO CONGRESS! Color Of Change had written the letter for you

Whew, I have been sitting on this for a minute waiting for it to launch. Color of Change has launched a campaign on behalf of Lavena Johnson's family.

Democratic Representative Skelton's House Armed Services is basically twiddling their thumbs on the LaVena Johnson issue although sources say that discussions are still underway, however Color of Change is calling on another committee of Congress with jurisdiction to hold hearings. They want us to direct our efforts to Congressman Henry Waxman, Chairman of the House Government Oversight Committee.

Go to their site to send a message directly to Congress.



Dear ColorOfChange.org member,

LaVena Johnson was a 19 year old private in the Army, serving in Iraq, when she was raped, murdered, and her body was burned--by someone from her own military base. Despite overwhelming physical evidence, the Army called her death a suicide and has closed the case.1

For three years, LaVena's parents have been fighting for answers. At almost every turn, they've been met with closed doors or lies. They've appealed to Congress, the one body that can hold the military accountable. But, as in other cases where female soldiers have been raped and murdered and the Army has called it suicide, Congress has failed to act.

Will you join Mr. and Mrs. Johnson in calling on Congressman Henry Waxman, Chairman of the House Government Oversight Committee, to mount a real investigation into LaVena Johnson's death and the Army's cover-up2? Will you ask your friends and family to do the same?

http://www.colorofchange.org/lavena/

From the beginning, LaVena's death made no sense as a suicide. She was happy and had been talking with friends and family regularly3--nothing indicated she could be suicidal. And when the Johnsons received her body, they noticed signs that she had been beaten.4 That was when they started asking questions.

After two years of being denied answers and hearing explanations that made no sense, the Johnsons received a CD-ROM from someone on the inside. It contained pictures of the crime scene where LaVena died and an autopsy showing that she had suffered bruises, abrasions, a dislocated shoulder, broken teeth, and some type of sexual assault. Her body was partially burned; she had been doused in a flammable liquid, and someone had set her body on fire. A corrosive chemical had been poured in her genital area, perhaps to cover up evidence of rape.5

Still the Army sticks by their story. They refuse to explain the overwhelming physical evidence that LaVena was raped and murdered and continue to claim that she killed herself.

For many Black youth, and working class young people of every race, the military is seen as an option for securing a better future. LaVena came from a deeply supportive family, and while the military wasn't her only option, she was attracted by its promise to help her pay for a college education and the opportunity to travel around the world. She also thought that by joining she could continue her lifelong commitment to serving other people in need. She made a decision to serve in the military, with all its risks, and expected respect and dignity in return.

LaVena's death is part of a disturbing pattern of cases where female soldiers have been raped and killed, and where the military has hidden the truth and labeled the deaths suicides.6,7 In virtually all cases, Congress has been slow to investigate or hold the military accountable in any way. Unfortunately, most families simply don't have the resources, time, and psychological strength to push back.

We can help the Johnsons, and other families, by holding Congress accountable in the LaVena Johnson case and by demanding it investigate the pattern of cover-ups by the military.

Please take a moment to join those calling on Congressman Waxman to investigate the cover-up of LaVena Johnson's death:

http://www.colorofchange.org/lavena/

Thanks and Peace,

-- James, Gabriel, Clarissa, Andre, Kai, and the rest of the ColorOfChange.org team
July 28th, 2008

References:

1. "The cover-up of a soldier's death?" LavenaJohnson.com, March 6, 2007
http://www.lavenajohnson.com/2007/03/cover-up-of-soldiers-death.html

2. "Is There an Army Cover Up of Rape and Murder of Women Soldiers?" CommonDreams.org, April 28, 2008
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/04/28/8564/

3. Ibid.

4. Ibid.

5. "Suicide or Murder? Three Years After the Death of Pfc. LaVena Johnson in Iraq, Her Parents Continue Their Call for a Congressional Investigation," Democracy Now!, June 23, 2008.
http://www.democracynow.org/2008/7/23/suicide_or_murder_three_years_after

6. See reference 2.

7. "2 Years After Soldier's Death, Family's Battle Is With Army," New York Times, March 21, 2006.
http://tinyurl.com/mzcvh

Other References:

"Justice for Pfc. LaVena Johnson," DailyKos, June 30, 2008
http://tinyurl.com/5bh73v

"Rapists in the Ranks, Los Angeles Times, March 31, 2008
http://tinyurl.com/2z2c8l


Lavena Johnson Update: Hearing on Thursday at 10:00 AM Rm 2154 Rayburn Building

Here is another opportunity for you to get answers from the United States Army in the Lavena Johnson case:


On Thursday, July 31 at 10:00 am, the Subcommittee will hold a hearing entitled, “Oversight Hearing on Sexual Assault in the Military.” The hearing will take place in room 2154 of the Rayburn House Office Building and is open to the public. Oversight Committee Website

This is a subcommittee of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. The full committee is chaired by Congressman Waxman. The hearing will be webcast.

Here is a list of the subcommittee members:

Majority
John F. Tierney, Chairman
Carolyn B. Maloney
Stephen F. Lynch
Brian Higgins
John A. Yarmuth
Bruce L. Braley
Betty McCollum
Jim Cooper
Chris Van Hollen
Paul W. Hodes
Peter Welch
Minority
Christopher Shays, Ranking Member
Dan Burton
John M. McHugh
Todd Russell Platts
John J. Duncan
Michael Turner
Kenny Marchant
Lynn A. Westmoreland
Patrick T. McHenry
Virginia Foxx

Although this is a subcommittee hearing, members of the full committee wil be able to attend. CBC members on the committee are Clay, Watson, and Cummings. But don't limit your inquiry to Black members. You don't care who asks the questions. Republican, Democrat, whatever! You just want answers.


My source said that he could not determine whether Lavena Johnson's case would be discussed specifically, but the members of the committee have the ability to ask questions. Here is your opportunity to tell them what questions you want asked. Due to the lateness of the notice a call or FAX was recommended as every member of Congress is not amenable to the digital age ( it is what it is)

For all of you who are upset burn a few anytime minutes or get on efax and tell your elected representatives what you want to know from the Army about Lavena Johnson and others like her.

This is separate from the organized campaign that some other large online advocacy groups are working on rolling out. When they tell me more, I will let y'all know, but I know some of you who are in DC may want to attend. In particular you might want to ask them about the allegations in this article,Tracey Barnett: Women GIs in fear of the enemy in their army. Including the allegation that three servicewomen died of dehydration because they didn't want to drink water. If they drank water, they would have to go to the latrine where they feared they would be sexually assaulted by fellow soldiers. CRAZY!

For those not famiar with the Lavena Johnson story, here is some background from Jezebel

When LaVena's father finally brought himself to look at his daughter's corpse in 2005, sent home from Iraq with a report that she'd committed suicide by shooting herself in the left side of her head with an M-16 — which, by the way, is not a handgun but a relatively long rifle, he thought there was something wrong.
Private LaVena Johnson's nose was broken, teeth were loose, one eye was concave and there were abrasions over her body. The supposed M-16 hole to the head was far too small for the revolver-sized exit wound, and was on the wrong side of her skull for a right-handed woman to have pulled the trigger. Her genital area showed evidence of acid, perhaps used to destroy DNA evidence. She had white military gloves glued to her burned hands.
Since then, the Army has continued to insist that the LaVena committed suicide by pointing her rifle with her non-dominant hand at the side of her head and set herself on fire, all after she beat herself up and poured acid on her genitals (since their was no apparent investigation into whatever happened there). Oh, and there was a trail of blood leading away from the tent where her body was found.
Her father has been trying for nearly 3 years to get someone — including Congress — to investigate the death of his daughter.
Comment AFTER you have called.

Blogging While Brown YouTube Coverage From Black Interactive TV

The folks from Black Interactive TV have a sizable number of mini clips from the conference


Brian Willis and Shawn Williams from Dallas South Blog, and Theo from Theo Talks at breakfast.


Gina introduces Jordan from Free Press right before his presentation on net neutrality.


The dynamic duo, Angela Benton and Markus Robinson from Black Web 2.0. All of our workshops rocked!We had some truly talented and gifted people presenting at Blogging While Brown

Blogger Rights Panel - Kristal and Attorneymom

Attorneymom from Character Corner and Kristal from Pocketbook Protest broke down copyright and derivative works, terms of use and work for hire.

Podcasting 101- Fanshen and Heidi from Mixed Chicks Chats

Heidi and Fanshen discuss the benefits and drawbacks of Talkshoe vs Blog Talk Radio.

Luncheon Panel Gone Wild


I hadn't left me seat at this point :) Tamera from Black Life by GLAM Media is speaking.

The Infamous Five Minute Break ( Turned into 15)



Shout Out To All of the Sponsors


Lunch Break

Monday, July 28, 2008

Workshop and Panel Video From Blogging While Brown- Carmen D. Villager, Necole Bitchie, Clarissa Goodlett and GLAM Media

We're still chopping and slicing and dicing the professional video. There is over 6 hours of footage, but in the meantime, Theo from Theo Talks, recorded about three sessions and streamed it live on USTREAM

Video streaming by Ustream

Panel Discussion - Can New Media Work with the Old Guard and Old Media?
http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/586451

Live streaming video by Ustream

Blogging While Brown: Two Workshops in 1
Secrets from a Media Insider - How to Make News and Make the News Work for You by Carmen Dixon
“Umoja” from a Black Blogger’s Perspective by Wayne Hicks
http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/586623

YES WE DID!


Blogging While Brown 2008, Atlanta, GA. Enough said.

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Blogging While Brown Mini-Conference Video- Launch of Twitterholics Anonymous


Untitled from Gina McCauley on Vimeo.

Our incredible conference videographer, Deborah Jones from D. Jones Productions cranked out this mini conference video with some interviews and mini conference highlights. More video coming soon, but she worked long into the night to get this out to us. I appreciate it. If you have a conference or event that you want taped, I highly recommend D. Jones out of Atlanta.

The video features Tamera from Black Life by GLAM, Necole Bitchie from NecoleBitchie.com and The Urban Blogger, AJ from CommonSense Media, Chris Raab from Afro Netizen, Elisa Camahort Page from BlogHer, and James Harris.

Twitterholics Anonymous

I am now forming a Blogging While Brown Twitterholics Anonymous. I believe we got some people hooked on the tweeting this weekend. Why can't I quit you Twitter??? I actually didn't tweet as much as I wanted to, but I have gone back to read other people's twitter streams.

Some of the folks who I know were Twittering:
Shawn from Dallas South Blog
ElisaC from BlogHer
Wayne aka "Villager" from Electronic Village
AT Alien from Straight from the A
Pam from Pam's House Blend
Theo from Theo talks ( he also did Ustream)

Good News Black Women, We Love Internet Technology

For those of you depressed by Soledad O'Brien's Black Women and Family forever known in these parts as "Black Women It Doesn't Suck to be You it only FEELS that way," I have some news to break the negative deluge, apparently Black women are far more likely to be early adapters of technology than our counterparts.


Black women are more likely than other women to spend time embracing technology, and they view cell phones and the Internet as tools of empowerment and self-expression, a study finds.

Compared with other women, five times as many black women — 36 percent — use cell phones for three or more hours a day, according to research released by Time Inc.'s Essence magazine. Black women also spend more extended time using iPods, computers, high-definition TVs and DVD players. Ohio.com

I know you like your cellphones, but before you pay sprint or T Mobile, make sure you pay yourself first because according to Soledad O'Brien, you are going to need that money in your old age because we're all going to die old and alone and be eaten alive by nine cats. RUN FOR YOUR LIVES SISTAS!!! Like the hounds of hell are upon you.

On a side note, I guess its a good thing the people at Blogging While Brown wrestled me to the ground and refused to let me go until I agreed to allow advertising on this blog.

Saturday, July 26, 2008

Blogging While Brown Streaming LIve on Ustream Courtesy of Theo!

http://ustream.tv/channel/theo-live

What About Our Daughters has received credentials to cover the 2008 Democratic National Convention. We are asking for your support in making sure that the voices, stories, and perspectives of African American women and girls are woven into the fabric of this historic event!Please consider donating by clicking our donate button in the sidebar.

Thursday, July 24, 2008

CNN's Black in America Post Mortem: Let 'er RIP!

Okay kids, you have finally seen Soledad O'Brien's Black in America Episode: Black Women and Family. So what is the verdict? More Anti-black woman propaganda?
Truly refreshing and insightful?

Wednesday's poll results

4% thought the series would be thought provoking
33% thought it would be pablum
25% thought it would be a regurgitated version of Tavis Smiley's
37% would reserve judgement until seeing the show.

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Lavena Johnson Update- Democracy Now Interview-- Imminent Nationwide Campaign

Democracy NOW has an interview with the parents of Lavena Johnson. Some pretty large new media activists are supposed to be launching a campaign to address Congress' failure to fulfill their oversight responsibility in this case. I confirmed that information this weekend and was told something would be happening on Monday, but you'll know when I know.

A new resource on the Hill has also been in contact with me and I am going to follow his advice and see where it leads. Blogging for justice is great, but the people who have the power to actually get Lavena Johnson's parents answers don't read blogs.

When the campaign is launched, you should be prepared to act and also offer financial support to these organizations because this might be a rather long fight.

STILL CAN'T FIGURE OUT HOW WE GOT 43 BLACK FOLKS IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, BUT CAN'T SEEM TO GET ANSWERS ON BEHALF OF THIS BRAVE YOUNG BLACK WOMAN.

CNN's Black in America: Profound or Pablum?-- I really Miss Ed Bradley

Tonight's the night folks CNN will finally air the much-touted Black In America Episode on Black Women & the Family. Y'all know I won't be watching on account of the whole boycotting cable thing, but I am sure YouTube will fill in the gaps.

This is your open thread in anticipation feel free to leave real time comments as you watch. Will Black women be misrepresented yet again? Will CNN try to pull an ESSENCE and depress the heck out of us all or try to prey on our paranoia? Will they scratch beneath the surface and go further than the epidermis or will we just hear the same pablum regurgitated in the tradition of NBC New's African American Women Where they Stand also known as "Black women it sucks to be you!"

Or are Black people inherently difficult to please and all other networks should avoid trying to tell Black folks who they are? Man I miss Ed Bradley. Now HE would have put together a heck of a series on Black people and not just rehashed and reheated the panels from Tavis Smiley's State of the Black Folk's Union presented by Exxon Mobil, McDonald's and Rudy Ray's Rib Shack and Waffles.

I finally got video of what y'all were howling at regarding CNNs' Black in America which aired, in part, on Saturday and Sunday. Hosted by Soledad O'Brien. One woman on the panel and an audience full of women. Now I see why y'all were a bit miffed. Nothing groundbreaking. Nothing monumental.


Now compare that with the discussion from a panel on Black bloggers at Netroots Nation. Notice the complete and total difference in the tone and tenor of the discussion. one group is talking about the future and the other is talking about? ( the first 2 minutes of audio are low, btu the volume pick up after that.)

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Disgruntled With CNN's "Black In America"? Check Out Some New Black Voices and New Topics At Netroots Nation

Um, so I take it, Y'all were not happy with the series that CNN ran on Saturday and Sunday as part of its "Black in America" series. I did not imagine that my post about the series would generate such interest from you.

Well if you are tired of the same regurgitated pablum and the same faces and voices from the CHAT-lin circuit...If you are tired of Black women, ESPECIALLY YOUNG BLACK WOMEN, being excluded from all of these discussions, you might want to check out a panel that was filmed this weekend at "Netroots Nation". Yes, Black people actually went to Netroots nation, about 20. They had a reasonable number of panelists, so everyone got to make their point and they all took their turn and there were two Black women on the panel.

It features


You ought to get excited when Andre starts breaking down how we are going to be able to use technology and data to take on the BEE and the CRIC. He didn't offer that information for that purpose, but it is still useful information. You also might want to pay attention to when Leutisha starts talking about steering wheels. My favorite moment came somewhere abut 32:15. Someone talked about Jesse Jackson being exiled to Europe and the possibility of attaching a "hot mic" to my favorite pompadoured preacher. Black Women were representing!!!!! Its amazing what happens when you let Black women actually talk on a panel *cough* CNN*cough* The audio is low for the first two minutes, but it picks up.

The Moderator and the person who organized th panel ( WITH VERY LITTLE NOTICE FROM NETROOTS NATION) is an young activist out of Michigan named Brandon White who has asked the following:

The panel was extremely enlightening and I want to particularly
thank our panelists____________, Leutisha Stills from *Black Agenda Report* and *Jack and Jill Politics*, and Andre Banks from *Color of Change*. The panel was honest, probing, and forward thinking. We addressed some very important issues I think we need to be considering regardless of what happens in November.

Posting this video (http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/569794) on our respective
blogs will help us and our readers help shape the future strategy
surrounding Black online activism and Black blogging. In particular, I
wanted you all to watch the video and chime in along with the list of
questions I have outlined below. I implore those heading to Blogging While
Brown <http://bloggingwhilebrown.com/> to continue this very important
conversation.

Thanks,

Brandon Q. White
The Superspade <http://www.thesuperspade.com>


There is some random lady on the end of the table that Brandon stopped on the street and asked to participate, but she's bad TV because she talks too much with her hands. I am sure she made some very good points but I was distracted by the fact that she appeared to be conducting an orchestra while speaking.

There is a lot of substance, but moments of hilarity ensue when discussing the CRIC. Andre and Leutisha were truly inspiring to watch. Their mastery of the subject matter and their engaging speaking style should have some television producer with a lick of sense calling them immediately.

Here are the questions Brandon asked the panelists:
1. What is the difference between Black online activists and Black
bloggers?

2. What do Black bloggers talk about when they are not talking about
Obama?**

3. How do you see the ascendancy of online activism impacting the
traditional civil rights infrastructure?

4. Who blogs locally? (hands) More often than not, the hardest place to
organize is where you live. What is your relationship with offline
activists in your local community and what should we do to get to the point
where we can have local versions of Jena 6 and Fox/CBC debate?

5. How can/should Black online activists going to fill the current and
future void of Black leadership?

6. We need more Black bloggers, (burnout) who in this room has
encouraged or developed a new Black blogger

7. How do you envision Black bloggers holding Obama accountable should he
be elected?

8. Are Black bloggers the flavor of the month and what is our obligation
to the community once we have a known voice?

9. There has been much talk about Obama's campaign and possible election as
a sign of America's transcending race. What infrastructure and/or strategies
need to be in place to continue to raise the issues relevant to the Black
community and hold Obama accountable should he be elected?

FEEL FREE TO ANSWER BRANDON'S QUESTIONS IN THE COMMENTS TODAY.


What About Our Daughters has received credentials to cover the 2008 Democratic National Convention. We are asking for your support in making sure that the voices, stories, and perspectives of African American women and girls are woven into the fabric of this historic event!Please consider donating by clicking our donate button in the sidebar.

Saturday, July 19, 2008

CNN: Black in America: Saturday, July 19

I am getting negative reviews for CNN's Black in America: Reclaiming the Dream. Here is your open thread to respond. Attorneymom is going to guest post on this one.

CNN anchor and special correspondent Soledad O'Brien moderates an all-star panel to discuss the most pressing concerns and success stories in Black America today.

Filmed at the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans over the 2008 July Fourth Weekend, Reclaiming the Dream brought together Harvard University professor Roland Fryer, Black Enterprise's Ed Gordon, actor/author Hill Harper, Bishop T.D. Jakes, economist and Bennett College President Julianne Malveaux, Princeton University professor Cornell West, actress/activist Sheryl Lee Ralph, Chicago Urban League President Cheryle Jackson, Excellence Charter School Principal Jabali Sawicki for a lively, solutions-oriented forum to discuss the state of black families, broken educational infrastructure, the devastating impact of HIV/AIDS on black families, and a look at the next generation of leadership in Black America. CNN.

Y'ALL know I don't have cable! We are supposed to be boycotting.

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Dunbar Village Teens Still Wilding Out-- Attack on 3-Year Old baby

"There's a big difference between security and actually feeling safe."

Not a month ago, the city of West Palm Beach was cooing over the 50% decrease in crime in Dunbar Village. 50% of "entirely too much" is still "too much." This past week the tyranny of violent teenagers returned to Dunbar Village. There were two separate attacks in less than a week. Once victim was a 3 year old boy(um where was his mama?):

Wallson's mother, Jolene La Rose, had briefly left her son playing outside and says the attack started because the thirteen year old wanted her son's scooter. She called the police when she returned outside and couldn't find her son. When officers arrived they eventually found the three year old naked and bloody. La Rose says the thirteen year old repeatedly beat her son in the head with a broom handle. "His face is big, the nose is bleeding, the mouth is bleeding," says his mother. WPTV
The second attack was on a 52 year old mother and her teenage son:

Jocelyne Dieu Juste's eighteen year old son was attacked Thursday night by three other teens, who neighbors say do not live in the housing project. When his mother jumped in to try and stop the fight, the teens started punching her. Dieu Juste is 52 years old and a mother of five. "I don't want this to happen no more. I don't bother nobody, I want nobody to bother me," says Dieu Juste. WPTV
So much for security cameras and security guards. The further away we get from the attack that made Dunbar Village infamous, the more the Tyranny of Violent Teens appears to be returning to Dunbar Village. I think the residents summed it up succinctly:

"I think it's not safe. It's not really, really safe for the people living down there," says Jolene La Rose.

Read about the horrific Dunbar Village attack that brought it to this blog's attention. Someone told me that we've written over 500 pages about this place.



BWB Registration Extended

Due to the generosity of our sponsors, registration to Blogging While Brown has been extended to July 23, 2008.

Free Press








BlogHer






CommonSense Media






















The Service Employees International Union











The Root

BREAKING:Have Bernie Mac and Jesse Jackson Been Referred to the SCAN Licensing Board?- WAOD Demands an OPEN Hearing

satire
Pronunciation:\ˈsa-ˌtī(-ə)r\
Function:noun
Etymology:
Middle French or Latin; Middle French, from Latin satura, satira, perhaps from (lanx) satura dish of mixed ingredients, from feminine of satur well-fed; akin to Latin satis enough

1 : a literary work holding up human vices and follies to ridicule or scorn
2
: trenchant wit, irony, or sarcasm used to expose and discredit vice or folly



On Saturday, I wrote a post on Bernie Mac's performance at a Barack Obama event (Bernie Mac Embarrasses the HEY-ELL OUT OF Barack Obama: Acolytes Shut It DOWN! ) Subsequently, I was emailed an intercepted urgent communique indicating that this weekend both Jesse Jackson and comedian Bernie Mac were referred to SCAN (Secret Council of American Negroes).

I have no doubt that the Obama Acolytes *shivers* are behind this. Every Black person that has violated the 11th Commandment has been threatened with having their Black Pass revoked. This is a very serious turn of events to have both of them referred to the Blackness Assessment Committee of the SCAN Licensing Board in the same week. In addition the communique has indicated that Obama Acolytes have finally won a majority on the Blackness Assessment Committee. If this is true, these are perilous times for us all.

SCAN HAS NO JURISDICTION TO REVIEW JACKSON, PER THE COVENANT BETWEEN BLACK AMERICANS

I don't care one way or the other about Bernie, however, Jesse Jackson marched with MLK. Having reviewed Covenant Between Black Americans, I believe it provides that every Black person who marched with Dr. King obtained a Black Pass in for life under Section 567.08(a)2B of the Covenant Between Black Americans. Section 567.08(a)2B provides:

Any person having shown that they were in the vicinity of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during a march, demonstration, sermon or speech shall retain possession of their "Black Pass" in perpetuity. This subsection shall extend to those assembled on sidewalks during said marches, speeches or demonstrations and those who contemplated attending, yet changed their mind at the last minute and stayed home....They MEANT to go.
In other words, they can never have their Black Passes revoked no matter what they may have done or not done in the 40 years since King's death. If they marched with King, as many of them are fond of reminding us, then they are exempt. END. OF. STORY. Therefore SCAN or any of its committees, subcommittees or licensing boards have NO JURISDICTION to review an application to revoke Jackson's Black Pass. In addition to people who marched with Dr. King, it is my understanding that some entertainers, athletes, Black employees of Viacom and Black billionaires are also exempt from SCAN review as well.

Apparently the Obama Acolytes are attempting to have the grandfather clause revoked as it applies to this year's presidential election. They are claiming some kind of exception to Section 567.08(a)2B called the 1600 Pennsylvania Rule which states, in part:

Notwithstanding any other section of the Covenant, in the event that any person of African American descent gets within one mile of the presidency, all other sections of this Covenant shall be superseded by the 11th Commandment.
I do not believe that there is any 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue Exception. The Acolytes have made two previous attempts at similar measures with John Lewis and Andrew Young, but this time the communique indicated that they MAY have obtained a majority on the Black Assessment Committee.

How is this possible? Jesse Jackson was the first Black man to win a presidential primary. He coined "I am SOMEBODY."


Do any of y'all remember his David and Goliath speech at the Tendley Street Baptist Church?


What about his keynote addresses at the Democratic National Convention? And who can forget Jackson beating back all of the HATER-AID thrown at Obama during Tavis Smiley's State of the Black Union? Remember back when a whole lot of Black folks were NOT on the bandwagon, Jackson hopped on without PUBLIC reservation.

Despite recent revelations of "improprieties" and "issues." The man made Black history and he coined the phrase "Obamarama" I thought that qualified for a permanent exemption from the SCAN Licensing Board review. This is setting a very bad precedent. The Acolytes are so cut throat. *shivers*

The man is over 50 years old. Thats far too old to have to endure the rigors of a SCAN review. Do the Acolytes have any compassion? NOPE! No one is immune. No one is exempt. There are no accidents when it comes to the 11th commandment.

If this is true, I am going to demand that the hearing be conducted IN PUBLIC via podcast. I know that they are a "secret" council, however there is no room for secrecy from SCAN on this very serious matter. All of America must be able to throw open the doors of SCAN and see this process for ourselves. If the Obama Acolytes have obtained a majority on the SCAN Black Assessment Committee then NONE of us are safe. We must demand some transparency from SCAN on this. It is the only way to insure fairness. I DEMAND AN OPEN HEARING! SCAN's policy decisions and edicts have import on all of Black America and secrecy cannot be used to cloak the Acolytes and their chicanery.

P.S. My people... CALM DOWN. It is a long way to November. Pace yourselves. This thing hasn't even gotten started yet. Wait until October.

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

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The Cobbler's Children Have No Shoes: MLK's Kids Sue Each Other

I think TMZ said it best:


His dream was that one day his children would be judged by the content of their character. Now, two of Martin Luther King, Jr's children say the character of one of their siblings sucks.TMZ

Bernice King and Martin the III are suing Dexter King for "misappropriating funds" also known as stealin':

Bernice King and Martin Luther King III filed a lawsuit Thursday in county court to force Dexter King to open the books of their father's estate. The lawsuit claims that Dexter King, the estate's administrator, is refusing to provide his two siblings with documents concerning the estate's operations. That includes financial records, contracts and other documents, the lawsuit said.


Statement from Bernice and Martin's lawyer:
"This was very heartfelt on their part and very, very taxing on them to have to do this," Smith said. "They are not happy that they had to bring this action. All they're asking for is ... to be included in their daddy's legacy."

Dexter's Response:

"I'm disappointed that our personal family disagreement, as it relates to the family business, has evolved into being handled in a public legal forum," the statement said. "It is my hope that this inappropriate and false claim by my siblings will be swiftly resolved and we can go about the business of focusing on our parents' tremendous legacy.
Dexter turn over the paperwork already. What exactly does Dexter do for a living?

Monday, July 14, 2008

We're in the San Francisco Chronicle Too- Museum of Racist Memorabilia

I got a call from the San Francisco Chronicle on my way out the door to water aerobics.

*BEGIN OFF TOPIC* My instructor is crazed. She thought it would be "cute" to have us basically tread water for 15 minutes. "Now try doing it without touching the bottom of the pool! You can do it!" Yes I can, but will I be able to walk tomorrow is the pertinent question. We did jumping jacks, cross country skiing, rode an imaginary bicycle forward and backwards, cheerleader kicks and many other things that should only be attempted by members of the US OLYMPIC Synchronized Swimming Team. Water aerobics is not supposed to hurt once you leave the pool. I just thought I would share my pain with others ;( *END OFF TOPIC*


The Chronicle was getting my opinion on Michelle Obama and the New Yorker debacle.

A few weeks ago, McCauley started a Michelle Obama Watch blog to monitor media images and portrayals of the potential first lady. "We're in new ground here with how we deal with two African Americans running for the White House. It will test white liberals in ways that they never have been before. And it will test African Americans, too." Obama will be scrutinized during the campaign, as will African Americans by extension, she said. "It's a process we have to go through, as a country." San Francisco Chronicle

The "theme" of my interview is that I am so tired of Liberals acting as if they don't understand why Black people would be offended by caricatures. Somehow they should be exempt, but the conservatives should be raked over the coals because somehow conservatives are inherently racist and liberals are immune.

You can print whatever you want to but don't feign ignorance. There is a LOOOOONG history of cartoons being used as an powerful weapon to the system of racial oppresion in this country. Any time you dabble in cartooning Black people, you should do so being aware of that history.

I highly recommend that the entire staff of the New Yorker or any other Liberal Elite media outlets that decide to dabble in racial stereotypes take a gander over at the Museum of Racist Memorabilia for something we like to call historical CONTEXT. Black folks aren't just pulling this outrage out of the air. Jim Crow only ended about 40 years ago. Here is a list of the pages of information offered by the museum which is located at Ferris State University and I encourage reporters to call them and talk to someone who can provide some historical context. THAT WOULD BE YOU MR. NEW YORKER EDITOR!!!

Selected Videos JCM Fundraising Video
Why I Collect Racist Objects Future Home of the JCM
Our Values Our Vision
About the Museum FAQ
Who Was Jim Crow? What Was Jim Crow?
Related Links Other Information Jezebel Stereotype
Brute Caricature Mammy Caricature
Picaninny Caricature Coon Caricature
Tom Caricature The Tragic Mulatto
Nigger and Caricatures Golliwog Caricature
Racist Cartoons New Racist Forms
JCM Virtual Tour Nat Caricature
Buy the Award-Winning DVD Brothers, and Other Essays


What About Our Daughters has received credentials to cover the 2008 Democratic National Convention. We are asking for your support in making sure that the voices, stories, and perspectives of African American women and girls are woven into the fabric of this historic event!Please consider donating by clicking our donate button in the sidebar.

We're on CNN.com's Anderson 360 Blog

The Anderson 360 blog picked up our post about the whole Michelle Obama New Yorker tomfoolery and chicanery.

Don't forget to register for Blogging While Brown. Can you believe it is only two weeks away.


What About Our Daughters has received credentials to cover the 2008 Democratic National Convention. We are asking for your support in making sure that the voices, stories, and perspectives of African American women and girls are woven into the fabric of this historic event!Please consider donating by clicking our donate button in the sidebar.

Karin Stanford Did NOT Give Najee Ali, EURWEB, or NPR Permission to Exploit Her Child

Someone purporting to be Karin Stanford has responded to our post What About Jesse Jackson's Daughter? Where we expressed our concern about "activist" Najee Ali, using Jesse Jackson's ten year old daughter's name and image in a attack on Jackson. Being the narcissist and control freak that he appears to be, this was his response to our concerns:


I guess people must have forgot the interview that Dr Karin Stanford and her daughter did with Connie Chung on national T.V. with 20/20. Karin wasnt going to hide her daughter and the truth then and wont do it now.Since I speak them to them on a regular basis including today Were all good.Najee Ali

People like you pretend to care about Karin and the welfare of the child but dont know or have never even met them .It was me and others who were there for them and never turned our back on them.But that's not unusual for me.I have a long 15year history of being at the forefront in L.A.of defending Black girls and woman. Sometimes people dont like the tactics but my heart is in the right place is yours?


Notice how excuses his exploitation of young Black girls because his "heart is in the right place."

Well sometime today we got the following comment from someone identifying themselves as Karin Stanford. Her comment is corroborated by the fact that EURWeb has removed the photo of her child although the little girl's full name and the tawdry, unsubstantiated details from Ali remain.

I have just become aware of this site, and I am so pleased that someone took the initiative to challenge the misrepresentations of black women and girls in the media and society. Unfortuately, my awareness is the result of some aggregious comments that I must respond to. I am only responding because of the nature of purpose of this site, of which I hope to contribute one day.

Let me be clear, no one speaks for me. I can do that quite well, if prompted. I had no idea that my daughter's picture was on the EUR website, or any other. When I found out today, I was mortified and demanded that it be removed! My goal has always been to protect my daughter from the vicious comments made about her father and me.

For those of you who express concerns about her welfare, they are greatly appreciated. For those who gain joy from judging other people's lives, then I will pray for you.

In the end, I just want my daughter to grow up respecting her dad and me, for the work we have tried to do to help our community and for loving and protecting her.

I hope this site will be used to promote the well being of black women and girls, not for petty namecalling and personal attacks.

Karin L. Stanford
Well that is reassuring. I was beginning to question the judgement of anyone who would confide in or trust this man appearing to have major deficiencies in judgement. So that basically rebuts Najee Ali's assertions. Najee Ali, the next time you decide to take on Jesse Jackson, do it like a man and have the testicular fortitude not to hide behind the pigtails of a ten year old Black girl.

As far as I am concerned, this discussion is over. The comments are now closed. Move along. EURWEB establish some policy about publishing the photographs of minors without their parent's permission because you can't trust this man.

What About Our Daughters has received credentials to cover the 2008 Democratic National Convention. We are asking for your support in making sure that the voices, stories, and perspectives of African American women and girls are woven into the fabric of this historic event!Please consider donating by clicking our donate button in the sidebar.

Who is Going to Blogging While Brown? Late Registration Ends Today

Okay stragglers, today is the end of late registration for Blogging While Brown. Blogging While Brown is the first international conference for bloggers of color. It will take place in Atlanta, GA, July 25-27, 2008. To register for the conference go to the conference website www.bloggingwhilebrown.com

Four Political Forums Added
We have added four speakers. The Green Party, Libertarian Party, Republican Party, Democratic Party and Ralph Nader were invited to have a speaker address what is at stake in 2008 for people of color and how is the internet changing electoral politics. The Greens, Libs, and Republicans took us up on our offer. They will each be speaking for 7 to 10 minutes followed by a 15 minute question and answer session from the conference attendees.

SPONSORS
This week we will be announcing the conference sponsors. If you or your organization are interested in being a conference sponsor, you can contact the Sponsorship Coordinator, Kevin, to see what opportunities remain available. The program book goes to print on Wednesday so time is running out.

Here is a copy of Saturday's Workshop Schedule
Here is a copy of the workshop and town hall descriptions
Here is a copy of the overall conference schedule
Here are the biographies of the conference workshop presenters.


We have several folks that aren't blog readers, but are frequent commentators who will be attending as well. The following list of blogs will be represented:


The Following Blogs Will Be Represented At the Conference

Sunday, July 13, 2008

"Liberals" Strike Again: New Yorker Cover Depicts Michelle Obama as a Terrorist



Oh yes folks, Liberal creatives are having a field day this election season with their depictions of Michelle Obama. Proving that you can revel in racist depictions of Black people as long as you have a really good reason.

We previously showed you a "satirical" piece where Michelle was depicted being lynched by the Klan( Michelle Obama Depicted Being Tortured: Liberal Bloggers Lose Their Ever Loving Minds)

Now they are back at it depicting her as a terrorist rocking an afro and a machine gun. Barack Obama offered his standard response: None at all. (the campaign later issued a statement after his initial non committal response)I am beginning to see the wisdom of his silence, this is going to go on and on and on for the next five months he might as well save up for October:

Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton called it "tasteless and offensive" and, according to Jake Tapper at ABC, another high-profile Obama supporter called it "as offensive a caricature as any magazine could publish." Huffington Post.


Nope, I think the lynching depiction is about as offensive a caricature as any magazine could publish. It is going to be a LOOOOONG, HOT, SUMMER! IF this was on the cover of National Review people would be howling at the moon.


Bernie Mac, the New Yorker just saved your life. Bumped you right off of page B

What About Our Daughters has received credentials to cover the 2008 Democratic National Convention. We are asking for your support in making sure that the voices, stories, and perspectives of African American women and girls are woven into the fabric of this historic event!Please consider donating by clicking our donate button in the sidebar.

What About Jesse Jackson's Daughter? Acolytes Gone Wild

Some of you have emailed me copies of Najee Ali's open letter to Jesse Jackson where he invokes the full name of Jesse's ten year old daughter with Karin Stanford. This letter was posted on both Eurweb and NPR. It can't be gossip if its on NPR, right?

In the open letter, LA Activist Najee Ali, invoked the name of Jackson's ten year old daughter in attacking Jesse Sr., provides details regarding the Jackson family's alleged treatment of the child and then throws in a barb alleging that it was Jesse, Jr. that leaked the story about Senior's affair with Stanford. I had suspected that Al Sharpton did it :)

I don't like grown folks using children as weapons in their warfare so I am going to say Ali crossed a line by revealing details of this child's life or the fact that she allegedly has been ignored by Jesse, Jr. This issue should have been about Jesse and Barack, not a ten year old child. We all know Jackson is an absentee father, we didn't need the gory details.

I also have to cry foul about showing a picture of this child on internet websites. The only purpose of this open letter was to hurt Jackson, but in the process you exposed the very private life of a child. Jesse screwed up on Fox, not his daughter. Her classmates don't need to know she's been rejected by her father's family.

You Obama Acolytes need to slow your roll. Its okay to support and defend a candidate, but don't use kids to do it. Whether you like it or not, I suspect that that little girl loves her Daddy, absentee or not. Just because you are mad at her father doesn't give you leave to use her as a weapon against him. Leave her out of grown folk's games. You can't be a champion of the exploitation of Black women and girls and then turn around and use a ten year old child to gratuitously attack her father. You have to lack a great deal of creativity if you could not have come up with unlimited legitimate criticisms you could lob at Jackson without acting as the National Black Enquirer.

Now if her MOTHER has written the letter then MAYBE I would feel differently, but a purported family acquaintance of dubious motivations? Sorry, flag on the play.

Saturday, July 12, 2008

Everybody Wants to Call Black Women Hoes.. Including ABC News

Photobucket

We previously posted on Bernie Mac making lewd sexist jokes at a Barack Obama fund raiser (Bernie Mac Embarrasses the HEY-ELL OUT OF Barack Obama: Acolytes Shut It DOWN!). Well not to be outdone, some clever person at ABC News couldn't resist associating everything dealing with Black women, the butts of Bernie Mac's jokes as hoes. The earlier headline did not read this way, now someone went in a changed it to "Obama Gets Flak for Chi-town Ho-Down" Really cute ABC News.com Really cute. Y'all know if the jokes had been by a White comedian, they NEVER would have even contemplated using the "HO'." You've been successful Bernie! The folks at ABC News agree with your sentiments.

Bernie Mac Embarrasses the HEY-ELL OUT OF Barack Obama: Acolytes Shut It DOWN!

"Being a president is tough ‘cause you're not just running the county. You got to run your family too," Mac said. "Having a black first lady is different. You're still going have to do the dishes and the laundry and all that …you got to pick up the kids. You didn't pick up the kids? I just came from Korea, talking about nuclear weapons. You were on Air Force One and you couldn't stop to pick up the kids?" Mac also told Obama to be cautious of the rumor mill. “People like rumors. They are going to say things like, you know, you was in the club with Lil’ Kim and you and Kanye West got in a fist fight.Bernie Mac At Obama Fundraiser
Poor Bernie Mac, he didn't get the memo: THOU SHALL NOT EMBARRASS THE HEY-ELL OUT OF BARACK OBAMA! Because if you do, you will incur the WRATH of..... The Obama Acolytes. *shivers* I'm scared to even speak their name.

There are Obama supporters. There are Obama "stans" ( stalker fans). Then, there are the Obama Acolytes as we fondly refer to them here. The Obama Acolytes are like a paramilitary mercenary force. They work independent of the campaign and take orders from no one in particular. They won't even listen to their candidate. They are friends, relatives, and coworkers. Ordinary, generally well loving people except for one occasional problem, they view anyone and anything that might in anyway get in the way of Barack Obama making it to 1600 Avenue as the ENEMY that must be destroyed at all costs.

Now Barack Obama tried to play it all off and smooth things over:
"We can't afford to be divided by race. We can't afford to be divided by region or by class and we can't afford to be divided by gender, which by the way, that means, Bernie, you've got to clean up your act next time," Obama said. "This is a family affair. By the way, I'm just messing with you, man."
Later the campaign offered a sterner rebuke to Bearnie not knowing how to behave at a $2,300/plate political fundraiser:
"Sen. Obama told Bernie Mac that he doesn't condone these statements and believes what was said was inappropriate," spokeswoman Jen Psaki said in a statement after the event.
Bernie, you remember growing up when your Mama would take you to the store and you would think about acting a fool and your Mama would smile as she give you "The Look" that said " I ain't gone beat you in front of all these people and embarrass myself further in a public setting, but when we get home IT'S ON!?" And you would try to be really quiet in the car hoping that she would forget you acting a fool and embarrassing her in public, but she never forgot. Well Bernie, Barack Obama might have tried to be genial about it, but the Acolytes will remember... poor Bernie he didn't get the memo: DO NOT EMBARRASS THE HEY_ELL OUT OF BARACK OBAMA... OR ELSE!

Unlike the candidate that appears to be a genial enough fellow, these acolytes can be down right mean and even scary. Everybody knows one. Right now, the Acolytes are giving Bernie "the look."

If you are viewed as an obstacle standing in between the Acolytes and 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, you better be prepared to be plowed OVER. We've battled a few Acolytes in the comments section of this blog. They usually throw out a few "Uncle Toms", "Self- hating House Negroes", "race traitor" attacks before they head out the door.

I understand the Acolytes. Heck I am related to some of them. They think the dream is so close yet so fragile that the faintest breeze might blow it all away and thus they have designated themselves sentries of that dream and will attempt to annihilate anything that they think get in the way of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. I admire their zeal, but at times it is also disturbing, until I saw this... perhaps the Acolytes may be useful for some things?

For a moment I was getting nervous with all of that cutting up the Entertainment Industrial Complex was doing at the BET Awards. They were giddy about all the mischief they will be able to create in an Obama administration. I mean after all, he's playing Jay Z at campaign events:
During Obama's victory party in Iowa, Jay's "99 Problems" was played over the loud speaker. Some imply that the line "99 problems but a bitch ain't one" was a thinly veiled shot at his political rival.
Much to my dismay, they've already started putting his name in misogynistic, drug infused, violent Hip Hop lyrics.
It Goes Hilary Clinton, Barack Obama
Made The Moral Trap Or Die Ask DJ Drama
It Goes Freak Big Meech
And MuthaF@!k Osama (Yea)
An He Aint Talm Bout Nuttin So Wassup Lil Mama? (Aye)
I Think Ya Girl Want Me
And if She Don’t She Should (Should)
Three Of Four Bl*nts a’ Make The Sex So Good (Woo)
I Just Roll Em So Fast
We Just Blow Em So Fast (Fast)
Before I Even Know it We done Blew a whole Half (Yea)
Young Come Through Nightime Like A Burglar
Type O N*gga Leave His Skully On While He Service
Type O N*gga take a phone call While he Service
So What He at The Back Door?
What Chu Think Im Strapped For?
In fact last year CNN predicted as much
"More than anything his name is a nugget of lyrical gold," said Kweli. "It sounds like a gunshot going off ... Obama rhymes with a lot of things." CNN
Oh just great, his name rhymes with a lot of things. Could we survive 4 or 8 years of the Entertainment Industrial Complex running wild? Would they be embolden by his victory to take their minstrelsy to new lows, seeing the regime of Bullets, Booty and Bling as somehow more mainstream with a Black family in the White House. That certainly seemed the case at the BET Awards. AP

No you didn't want Barack Obama anywhere near that foolishness. Why? There is a new age in America, it is the age of the Acolyte. While Black people may have been reluctant to criticize other Black folks in public, the Acolytes have no such reservation. There is a woodshed with everybody's name on it and they will not hesitate to take you there if you even look like you might mess this 1600 Pennsylvania thing up.

Nothing and nobody gets in the way of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Black folks may have tolerated BET and "Tip Drill", We may have turned the other way when DL Hughley called the Rutger's team the "Ugliest women he had ever seen in his life." We might have turned a blind eye to "Flavor of Love", "I Love New York", and "Bad Girls Club". We may have let our children dance to "She's a very freaky girl you don't take her to Mama, first you get her name then you get her number then you get some @^%#$ s the front seat of a hummer" We may have let our kids chant "Do the Superman on dat 'ho," but the the acolytes won't tolerate ANYONE or ANYTHING that they think jeopardizes 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue and they certainly will not tolerate anybody EMBARASSING THE HEY_ELL OUT OF BARACK OBAMA. So much so that when Bernie Mac brought out the standard fare of Black Comedians, sexism and raunch, people in the audience stood up and SHOUTED HIM DOWN!!! I died and went to heaven when I read this:

As the joke continued, the punchline evoked an angry response from at least one person in the audience, who said it was offensive to women.

"It's not funny. Let's get Barack on," a man shouted from the crowd, which paid US$2,300 each to support the Illinois senator.



There are new sheriffs in Town and they have one rule: Nobody makes Barack Obama look bad. No one is exempt - not John Lewis, not Jesse Jackson, not Pastor Wright, not Tavis Smiley, not America's first "Black" President, Bill Clinton, and not Bernie Mac. Right now I can just feel the Acolytes giving Bernie "THE LOOK." right before the acolytes drag him to the woodshed.

Entertainment Industrial Complex, you have never faced a foe more powerful and determined that Obama Acolytes. They do not play. They are mercenary and ruthless an no one is immune from their wrath. That is why I feel bad for Bernie Mac ( not really ) He violated the Prime Directive for Obama Acolyte-is. Thou Shall Not EMBARRASS THE HEY-EL OUT OF BARACK OBAMA. There are no excuses. There are no ACCIDENTS! Your intentions are irrelevant.

I am going to have to reassess the Acolytes. I had been disturbed at times by their methods and myopic zeal, but the prospect of Acolytes grabbing members of the Entertainment Industrial Complex by the scruffs of their necks and telling them to have a seat OR ELSE warms my heart. A movement of acolytes shutting down foolishness from coast to coast.

Is it possible that if Barack Obama makes it all the way to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue that the Black Community will become less tolerant of the Ministers of Minstrelsy and the Hip Hop Industrial Complex? Will we be shutting the foolishness DOWN. Will the charge be lead by the acolytes?

Watch your back Bernie, you done messed up now. That noise you are hearing? That is the sound of the woodshed door. They are coming for you.