What I’m Talkin’ About – #16 – 02/25/07
Hear My Show on the Blubrry Network
Black History Facts
Donald Angelo “Don” Barksdale – First Black Person to Appear in All-Star Game
Tirhakah – Black Egyptian Pharaoh
Cheyney University – first historically African-American educational institution in America (myspace site)
Tavis Smiley Covenant with Black America
Black History Hero
Mr. & Mrs. Johnson – My Dad and Mom
Independent Music Artist Showcase
“Play” by PsykoSoul
Texas
PsykoSoul’s Myspace Page
Announcements
Check out my webcam video on CNN’s I-Report
I’ll be back to my regular schedule of posting shows on the 2nd and 4th weeks of the month
Contact Information
Feel free to leave comments on the website or call the voicemail line at 972-464-1899
Intro & Background Music
The intro & closing music clip was written and performed by PsykoSoul Music
“Family Affair” by PsykoSoul Music featuring CB Harris and Calvin
Tavis Smiley Visits Dallas on Covenant Tour
Last night at the Friendship West Baptist Church, I had the opportunity to attend the Covenant With Black America Tour with Tavis Smiley. Traveling with him was Dr. Eddie Glaude and Dr. Cornel West. Dr. West was stuck in Atlanta and couldn’t attend, but the message brought by Tavis and Dr. Glaude was powerful.
Tavis started out with an explanation of the book the Covenant with Black America. In this book he lists ten issues that black people in America should be concerned about. For each issue, he gives the data backing the cause for concern in a manner that is easy to understand and comprehend. For those who haven’t seen it the list, is as follows:
- Securing The Right To Healthcare and Well Being
- Establishing A System of Public Education In Which All Children Achieve At High Levels and Reach Their Full Potential
- Correcting The System of Unequal Justice
- Fostering Accountable Community-Centered Policing
- Ensuring Broad Access To Affordable Neighborhoods That Connect To Opportunity
- Claiming Our Democracy
- Strengthening Our Rural Roots
- Accessing Good Jobs, Wealth, and Economic Prosperity
- Assuring Environmental Justice for All
- Closing the Racial Digital Divide
These are ten issues that need to be discussed in our community, but they are also ten issues that we can lend a hand in getting accomplished. In the next podcast, I’m going to play a clip from the tour where Tavis talks about gifts from God and I feel the same way as he does. If you have something you’re passionate about, see how it relates to one of the ten concerns and use your gift to contribute to that cause. As you may have figured, I’ll be working on “Closing the Racial Digital Divide”. Technology is what I do and I feel I do it well. This is where the next book comes into play.
The Covenant in Action is the follow-up to the Covenant with Black America. It takes the ten concerns and gives us the tools needed move to action and become a part of The Covenant Movement. There are examples in the book of people who are accepting the call and working to make a difference in the community. Tavis also talked about the importance of getting the youth involved. He said a movement is not officially a movement until there are young people working to make change. The book speaks to them also.
Overall, I thought it was a good experience. As you may know, I’m a fan of Tavis and his podcast. My first couple of shows were called Theo Talks! There was a really good turnout and I’d like to thank Pastor Freddie Haynes for allowing them to use his church. I met a lot of good people and to those I spoke with, I hope to have you on the show soon. I plan to play a recording of that night in its entirety next month. I think this is something we should all hear. Personally, I think it’s time for me to get off my butt and do what God’s given me the ability to do.
I’m on CNN’s I-Reports
Last week I submitted a video to CNN’s I-Reports on being black in America. While the lighting and sound from my webcam could have been better, the video turned out pretty good. They even allowed my to plug the podcast. I definitely plan on making more videos as I see topics that interest me. I’m glad to see CNN participating in the user-created content movement. I’ve always felt there needed to be another outlet for a “regular guy” like me to voice my opinion. CNN is on the right track.
If you are able to participate, I’d recommend it. You can send audio, video or e-mail comments. This is our chance to be heard and we have to take advantage of the opportunity before us. Let me know what you think.
To see the video, go to:
http://www.emailthis.clickability.com/et/emailThis?clickMap=viewThis&etMailToID=1702223373.
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Before posting the video, they asked me some other follow-up questions about the podcast and I sent them this reply. Here’s how I really feel:
Being black in America to me is being proud of the heritage, history and accomplishments that African-Americans have made to this country. Despite coming to this country through the slave trade, black people have made the United States what it is today. When I was younger, I didn’t fully understand the importance of learning about black history. But I found the more I learned, the more I felt I too could make my mark in black history.
In order for African-Americans to work together, we have to take the time needed to build relationships on a foundation of trust. I’ve been burned before on business deals and it hurts worse when it’s someone who looks like you. We have to learn how to do business the right way, by providing quality products/services and supporting each other when possible.
Sometimes I feel black men catch a bad rap due to the negative stereotypes that society places on us. Some of it is our fault, but a lot of it is due to ignorance. I want our youth to know there’s more out there than sports and entertainment. I want them to know they can be anything they put their minds to. We have options. This is what it’s going to take to overcome racism and any other obstacles that we face on a daily basis. We need to stand up and be men. Handle our responsibilities and make a difference in the community. This is why I started the podcast.
I started out in podcasting as a listener. After subscribing to a number of technology shows, I realized I could start my own show. I chose the topic of doing news for the black community because that was my target audience. There’s still a gap in the digital divide and I want to use podcasting as a way to introduce African-Americans to a new way of communication. Podcasting gives the average person like me a worldwide presence and voice. On the show I highlight the news and accomplishments of black people. I also showcase African-American music artists and small businesses. It’s been a lot of fun. With family, church and work responsibilities, it can be tough getting the show together. But when it comes together and final product is complete, I feel good. I enjoy the replies to the show when I get them and I’ve met a lot of good people in the process. The toughest thing I’ve found is getting a bigger audience. It’s a new show, so hopefully that will change as I come up with more ideas.
International Podcast Survey
Fellow Podcasters,
I received an e-mail last night asking me to participate in a survey about podcasting. It took me about 15-25 minutes to complete and part of the e-mail read as follows:
At International University Bremen, Germany (Media Sciences) we are currently conducting a survey among active and formerly active private podcasters and videoCasters. The aims of this study are a) to describe and compare the community of podcasters on an international level, b) to better understand podcasting from the sender’s perspective (motivations,
aims, aesthetical beliefs) and c) to validate some hypotheses about computer mediated communication.Of course, the data will be used for scientific purposes only and will not be disclosed to a third party.
For questions or comments, please contact:
Dr. Dennis Mocigemba
International University Bremen, JCLL
d.mocigemba@iu-bremen.de
If you host a podcast, consider filling out the survey and let me know what you think about it. After the results are collected and analyzed, they are going to send me a report and I’ll post it on the site.
To participate in the survey, go to http://www.podcastersurvey.com.
Thanks!
Theo
What I’m Talkin’ About – #15 – 02/18/07
Hear My Show on the Blubrry Network
Black History Facts
I need your help! Participate in my Black History Month Podcasts
Hiram Revels
Alexa I. Canady
Thomas A. Dorsey
Nancy Green
Black History Hero
Pvt. Clarence Spencer – Iraq War Hero
Independent Music Artist Showcase
“So Proud†by Bay Brotha
Atlanta, GA
Akils’ Myspace Page
Announcements
I need your help! Participate in my Black History Month Podcasts
Contact Information
Feel free to leave comments on the website or call the voicemail line at 972-464-1899
Intro & Background Music
The intro & closing music clip was written and performed by PsykoSoul Music
“Family Affair” by PsykoSoul Music featuring CB Harris and Calvin
African-American Women in WWII
I found a really interesting video about African-American women in the military during World War II on blackplanet.com. Signing up for women was voluntary and they were wiling and ready to serve their country. The Country was in need and they were doing what they could, despite having to face discrimination from their fellow soldiers. You hear of the stories of all of the people who put their lives on the line, but the story of the black female soldier seems to have been untold. There’s a memorial in their honor and I thought this would be something good to share with you.
Hidden Heroes: African-American Women in WWII
What I’m Talkin’ About – #14 – 02/11/07
Hear My Show on the Blubrry Network
Black History Facts
I need your help! Participate in my Black History Month Podcasts
Black History Facts for the Month of February
Black History Hero
James Weldon Johnson – Poet, composer, diplomat, and anthologist of black culture
Independent Music Artist Showcase
“Get Your Mind Right†by John Johnson
Baltimore, Maryland
Get his music
Announcements
I need your help! Participate in my Black History Month Podcasts
Kandu’s MyBlogLog Page
JW Richard – Mandrake Society Radio Podcast
Black in Business Blog
Contact Information
Feel free to leave comments on the website or call the voicemail line at 972-464-1899
Intro & Background Music
The intro & closing music clip was written and performed by PsykoSoul Music
“Family Affair” by PsykoSoul Music featuring CB Harris and Calvin
The Electric Slide
Filed under: Blog Entries, Entertainment & Sports, Society & Culture
I have a question for you. When you attend a black wedding, what’s the one dance that has to happen for it to be an offical wedding reception? Survey says! The Electric Slide. If the dance floor is bare and everyone is sitting down, then put that song on and you’re guaranteed a party. But after you get your party on, don’t put the video on Youtube.
Richard Silver, the inventor of the electric slide, using the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, to force Youtube into taking down any video of people seen doing it incorrectly. Silver, who owns a copyright to the dance stated:
Any video that shows my choreography being done incorrectly is being removed. I don’t want future generations having to learn it wrong and then relearn it as I am being faced with now because of certain sites and (people) that have been teaching it incorrectly and without my permission. That’s the reason I (copyrighted) it in the first place.
So if you plan to put your wedding videos on the web, don’t add any soul as you do it. Don’t change up the moves or add the dip to it as you make the turn to the left. Follow the moves from the video posted on YouTube and you’ll be safe from being sued.
What I’m Talkin’ About – #13 – 02/04/07
Hear My Show on the Blubrry Network
Black History Facts
I need your help! Participate in my Black History Month Podcasts
Slavery in America
Bessie Coleman – First licensed Black pilot in the world (Wikipedia)
The Civil Rights Act of 1866 (Wikipedia)
Richard T Greener
NAACP (Wikipedia)
How NAACP Began
Black Swan Records – First black owned and operated record company
Black History Hero
Dr. Carter Woodson – The Father of Black History Month
Independent Music Artist Showcase
“Filled†by Tuere
Atlanta, GA
www.tuereonline.com
Announcements
I need your help! Participate in my Black History Month Podcasts
Contact Information
Feel free to leave comments on the website or call the voicemail line at 972-464-1899
Intro & Background Music
The intro & closing music clip was written and performed by PsykoSoul Music
“Family Affair” by PsykoSoul Music featuring CB Harris and Calvin
Bring Ak Back to American Idol
When American Idol (AI) came to San Antonio for auditions, Ak tried out and received the coveted golden ticket to come to Hollywood. Two days before he was to make the trip, AI called him and told him to stay home because he was cut for unknown reasons. Ak believes it was due to a previous incident that occurred in his past (which he told them about in his interview). After contacting them, AI refused to give Ak a good reason for making him an alternate.
Ak is from “Sunny South Dallas”, so we definitely need to show him some love. Let’s support him in his efforts and make our voice heard in getting him back on the show. I didn’t see the episode on American Idol, but I heard the brotha sing a John Legend song on a local Dallas radio station. He was good.
To show your support, visit Ak’s Myspace Page. There you can learn more about what happened and leave a comment.
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