"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

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.

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?

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.)

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

• Brandon Q. White (moderator) of SuperSpade,
• Leutisha Stills aka" The Christian Progressive Liberal" of Jack and Jill Politics,
• Andre Banks from Color of Change

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.

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.

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.