Whitlock Gives Opinion on Sean Taylor Death
Filed under: Blog Entries, Community, Entertainment & Sports, Society & Culture
Looks like Jason Whitlock is at it again. I received this article a couple of times from four different frineds of mine, so I thought it was something that needed to be discussed. If you’re wondering what I’m talking about, check out “Taylor’s death a grim reminder for us all” on foxports.com. Whitlock goes to give his point of view on the fatal shooting of 24-year-old Sean Taylor of the Washington Redskins. In his article, he discusses Taylor’s past and goes on to blame the problems we face as black people on the influence of the hip hop culture.
This whole debate over music and the hip hop culture is a hot topic and a lot of blame is being put on a genre of music that has changed the lives of many people. I’ll be the first to admit that every song out there ain’t right and it does have a lot of influence black culture. But let’s be honest with ourselves. Is society worse of because of what’s being played on the radio or is it something deeper than that? I have a three-year-old son and the one thing I’ve learned is that kids mimic what they see. If he sess me working in the yard, then he’ll want to come outside and work with me. If he sees me sitting around the house watching TV, then he’ll want to sit with me. If he were to see me disrespect my wife, then he would probably do the same as he got older. Kids are like sponges and are looking for someone to mimic.
If all they know is street life, then it’s a high probability that they will mimic that same way of living until someone intervenes and shows them an alternative. There are those who have risen above their conditions and have become success stories, but not everyone sees that potential within them. So they look around for examples and take what they see on television and around the neighborhood as their model for living. So who’s to blame? Is it hip hop, the parents, the media, the government or us as a whole?
Any death, be it at the hands of a white or black man is senseless and affects more people than we realize. We live in some crazy times and it hurts to see a young brotha, no matter what happened in his past, lose his life to violence. But black people, we do have some issues to work out. There are problems in our communities that we have to start bringing to the forefront. Even if Taylor’s death is due to some type of retaliation for something in the past, let’s continue to pray for this kid’s family and hope that others learn from it. Hip hop is not the cause of all our woes in the black community. Let’s start getting to the real issues and move to action from there.
Additional reading:
Sean Taylor’s legacy: Sad lessons never seem to kick in
Research Where to Give
Filed under: Blog Entries, Community, Personal Finance, Society & Culture
I was watching the Today Show and they mentioned that half of this years donations to charities will be given from now until the end of the year. This is the time of year when people open their hearts the most to help others in need. There are a lot of ways to give money and time, but you need to make sure your efforts are not in vain.
I’ve listed three sites below that I’ve found to be helpful in researching the organizations that accept donations. This way you’ll know for sure that your money is going where it is needed. And if you are not able to give money, the sites below are a great way to find places where you can volunteer. If you know of an organization that’s not listed on the site and is doing good in the community, feel free to leave the contact information in the comment area.
Top Ten Reasons to BUY BLACK
I found this post at the Electronic Village and wanted to share because it shows us the importance of supporting black-owned businesses. This is a topic close to my heart because I think we underestimate our spending power and how we could use it to cause change in the community. We see the facts and numbers all the time, but when have we ever put it to the test. We have more disposable income than ever, so lets spend some of it on products and services from black businesses.
In episode 32 of the podcast, I mention the show I put together for JW’s Kwanzaa episode. In it, I cover the topic of Ujamaa and how we can extend our reach to other communities (and countries) in supporting black businesses. Together we can make a difference, so check out the Villager’s post and leave a comment.
All It Took Was a Phone Call
Filed under: Blog Entries, Community, My Thoughts
With Thanksgiving being tomorrow, I caught myself thinking about a recent visit to my old neighborhood to see my mom. While there, I was helping my her recycle some old telephone books and newspapers at one of the local schools. The bins are there to allow the community to leave their recycled goods to be picked up at a later date. Needless to say, that date must have been forgotten because all of the bins were full and overflowing with paper. My visit was during the school year, so I’m pretty sure someone had noticed it was full. Out of frustration, I called the number on the side of the bin and told them all three bins were full.
I didn’t think much would happen, but about two weeks later on another visit the bins were empty. I wondered why someone else hadn’t done it earlier. In school I remember learning about the Freerider Problem where people benefit from a service/product, but expect others to maintain/pay for it. In this case a lot of people used the bins, but no one was willing to make the call to get them emptied. Now maybe this was a rare occurrence, but all it took was a two minute phone call to make a small difference in the appearance of our neighborhood.
It doesn’t take a lot to make a difference in your community. I hear a lot of people say they don’t feel they have the time to get involved with things in the community and I can feel them on that at times. If that’s your situation, then focus on the small things you can do. Take an hour to help an elderly person clean the dishes. Talk to a group of kids on your street for 30 minutes one week. Write a letter to your local politician about your community concerns. The one thing I’ve learned is that doing somethin good for others is addictive. Once you start, it’s hard to stop. So start small and serve with a positive attitude and a heart of compassion.
Remember “Thanksgiving” has two words in it. Giving back to others is very important and even the smallest amount of your time can make a difference. All it took in my case was a phone call.
Happy Thanksgiving!
One more thing. While on the subject of doing good, the bloggers over at blackweb20.com are raising funds to donate a laptop computer to a child in their community. The crew over at Liberate Magazine are raising funds to help feed needy families during the holiday season (call 832-577-0941 for more info). In both cases, no amount is too small. You don’t have to go broke to help someone.
Growing Values Gap Between Poor and Middle Class
Filed under: Blog Entries, Community, Society & Culture
I was watching the news and heard about a survey from the Pew Research Center about the value gap between the poor and middle class.
African Americans see a widening gulf between the values of middle class and poor blacks, and nearly four-in-ten say that because of the diversity within their community, blacks can no longer be thought of as a single race.
The new nationwide Pew Research Center survey also finds blacks less upbeat about the state of black progress now than at any time since 1983. Looking backward, just one-in-five blacks say things are better for blacks now than they were five years ago. Looking ahead, fewer than half of all blacks (44%) say they think life for blacks will get better in the future, down from the 57% who said so in a 1986 survey.
In reading the full report, the results were definitely not what I expected. This is definitely a topic I want to reserve for a podcast. Maybe even a live one? Keep your eyes and ears open for more information.
Graduation by Kanye West
Filed under: Blog Entries, Entertainment & Sports, Music Reviews
OUR CONDOLENCES GO TO KANYE WEST AND HIS FAMILY DURING THEIR TIME OF BEREAVEMENT OVER THE LOSS OF DR. DONDA WEST.
Kanye Omari West is a 30 year old rapper/producer from the city of Chicago. Originally known for his production skills, Kanye has traded his place behind the boards for one on the stage. His credits as a producer include Jay-Z, Alicia Keys, Common, and Jermaine Dupri along with introducing John Legend. His awards are numerous with several Grammys credited to his name. After two critically and commercially acclaimed albums, Kanye returns with his 3rd major release titled Graduation.
If you haven’t already heard about this album you REALLY need to get out more. Kanye and release-date mate 50 Cent have a wager on who’ll sell the most albums with 50′s career pushed to the middle of the betting table. In my humble opinion, the only things mainstream hip hop has had going this year has been “Internation Player’s Anthem” by UGK, decent efforts by artists like TI and Common, and a whole lotta bubblegum that all of which wasn’t necessarily bad. Graduation is expected to restore balance by backpackers and music pundits alike.
The album starts off with the track “Graduation” which is very…Kanye-esque? It replaces the comedic skit from Late Registration featuring Bernie Mac and has a rhythmic flow. Somewhat solemn but also upbeat at the same time. A good opening track. Maybe my fave line of the whole album is here; “Good mornean look at the valedictorian scared of the future while I hop in the DeLorean”. You’ll never lose me with 80s Michael J. Fox references.
Read more
What the President Has Signed Into Law – October 2007
The purpose for this post is to inform you of the new laws enacted by President Bush. It’s good to know what’s going on because some of them may benefit us as a people. It’s important for us to watch every step our government takes. We elect them, so we need to make sure they are doing their job. The laws I list are posted at whitehouse.gov. For a more unbiased version, I’d recommend doing additional research at govtrack.us. As always feel free to leave any additional comments on the enacted laws.
On Tuesday, October 9, 2007, the President signed into law:
S. 1983, the “Pesticide Registration Improvement Renewal Act,” which reauthorizes and amends the Pesticide Registration Improvement Act.
On Saturday, October 20, 2007, the President signed:
President Bush Signs Executive Order to Protect Striped Bass and Red Drum Fish Populations
On Monday, October 22, 2007, the President signed:
President Bush and President Enkhbayar of Mongolia Sign the Millennium Challenge Corporation Compact
On Wednesday, October 24, 2007, the President signed into law:
H.R. 1124, which reauthorizes for 5 years, through FY 2012, two programs that provide tuition assistance for District of Columbia students to attend institutions of higher education outside the District; and requires that any student receiving such assistance be from a family with a taxable annual income of less than $1 million;
H.R. 2467, which designates the facility of the United States Postal Service in Jersey City, New Jersey, as the Frank J. Guarini Post Office Building;
H.R. 2587, which designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located in Memphis, Tennessee, as the Kenneth T. Whalum, Sr. Post Office Building;
H.R. 2654, which designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located in Woonsocket, South Dakota, as the Eleanor McGovern Post Office Building;
H.R. 2765, which designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located in Hughesville, Pennsylvania, as the Master Sergeant Sean Michael Thomas Post Office;
H.R. 2778, which designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located in New Rochelle, New York, as the Robert Merrill Postal Station;
H.R. 2825, which designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located in Princeton, Illinois, as the Owen Lovejoy Princeton Post Office Building;
H.R. 3052, which designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located in Cambridge, Ohio, as the John Herschel Glenn, Jr. Post Office Building; and
H.R. 3106, which designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located in Ferdinand, Indiana, as the Staff Sergeant David L. Nord Post Office.
On October 25, 2007, the President signed into law:
H.R. 995, which extends the authority for establishing a memorial in the District of Columbia or its environs to honor veterans who became disabled while serving in the Armed Forces of the United States.
On Friday, October 26, 2007 the President signed into law:
H.R. 3233, which designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located in Piney Woods, Mississippi, as the Laurence C. and Grace M. Jones Post Office Building.
On Wednesday, October 31, 2007 the President signed into law:
H.R. 3678, the “Internet Tax Freedom Act Amendments Act of 2007,” which extends the moratorium on State and local government Internet access taxes and multiple and discriminatory taxes on electronic commerce for seven years, through Novemeber 1, 2014; and
S. 2258, the “Third Higher Education Extension Act of 2007,” which extends programs authorized under the Higher Education Act of 1965 through March 31, 2008, and expands eligibility for certain not-for-profit lenders to receive special allowance payment subsidies.
Podcast: Back In Business – #32 – 11/11/07
Show Notes – Episode 32 – Back In Business
What I’m Talkin’ About
Appearance on NPR News & Notes
Kwanzaa Show for Mandrake Society Radio
Kwanzaa podcast discussion with Martin, Benin Brown & Mugure Mugo
Blogging While Brown Conference
Dallas saggin pants law
Why is the Black Establishment Afraid to Grasp History?
hiphopgovernment.org
dancejam.com
Review of Come On People
Black Blogger Highlight
BlackWeb 2.0
Black History Facts
Daniel McCree – Inventor of the portable fire escape
Independent Music Showcase
Selah
“Tell Me To Stay” (mp3)
from “Growing Pains – Vol. 1″
(Base N Rebulz Entertainment/River Sity Alliance Inc)
More On This Album
Announcements
I’m a member of a new social networking site at www.cre8buzz.com. I need to build up the black population, so come join me. It’s open to the public. Come see me at cre8Buzz > People > African American community
New Domain to Get to the Site – theotalks.net
Hear My Show on the Blubrry Network
Spread the word about this podcast
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
Why Is the Black Establishment Afraid to Grasp History?
Filed under: Black Blogger Postings, Blog Entries, Politics
Marty over at MartyBLOGs has written a passionate post about Why Is the Black Establishment Afraid to Grasp History? It talks about Barack Obama and how he’s not getting the support of the black leadership. If you’ve listened to my podacast, you’ll know I try not to vote on the basis of color because not all black people have my interests at heart. I figured from the beginning that something like this would happen and even said he should wait until the next election. But since he’s in, he’s got my vote. He hasn’t had enought time in politics to become an official politician like Hillary, so I’m hoping that will help him in his decision making.
No matter what happens, history will be made and this country will be different because of it. After reading the post I’d like to know how you feel. Are the black leaders overlooking the few chances to get an African-American in office? We’ve been fighting for representation for a while. Is this our time or will Hillary best represent the issues in the black community? Check out my comments on Marty’s blog.
The N-Word Revisited
Filed under: Blog Entries, My Thoughts, Society & Culture
Over the past couple of days, there has been a couple of incidents where this word once again rears it’s ugly head. The first incident was at Richland High School in North Richland Hill, Texas where 17-year-old Ibrahim Mohamed was offended by the word in class while reading Huckleberry Finn. He informed the teacher that he was offended by the students use of it in discussing the book and requested that they say the “N-Word” instead. The teacher responded by saying ‘Does it offend you? It hurts, doesn’t it?’. Ibrahim is the only African-American student in the class.
In the second incident, Duane “Dog” Chapman, star of A&E television show “Dog the Bounty Hunter” was recorded using the N-Word repeatedly in a conversation with his son about his choice in women. Dog’s son is dating a black woman and sent in the recording of his father to a tabloid for a substantial amount of money. Dog issued a statement and said he likes black people, he just isn’t fond of the one his son is dating. In an act to make things right Chapman is looking to meet with black leaders to discuss what happened. Al Sharpton was contacted and said he would consider a meeting.
Hip-hop superstar, Nas has plans to release his album titled Ni**a in December. Island Def Jam reps have denied claims that it will happen. But only time will tell. I’ve heard mixed comments on this situation. Nas is a pretty creative brotha, but I doubt he could do something that would justify the title of his record. I hope he uses his creativity to come up with something else.
And as a bonus, Don Imus is set to return to the air waves by December 3rd. New York-based WABC-AM, said he would return to his morning time slot to bring his unique brand of humor to the radio. Sadly I’m not surprised he’s back. It was only a matter of time because we all know the dollar is what matters in America.
While I feel no word should have this much of an affect on a person, the bottom line is that it does. Ni**a was born out of the hatred of one race against another. It has the same bite as any other racial slur for any other race and if we don’t want to hear others use it, we should refrain from using it ourselves. I have yet to hear any other race argue over a word that degrades their people. We don’t own the word! We never did. If you want to address me using something other than my name, try some other term of endearment.
It just doesn’t make sense to me. What do you think?
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