On the way to and from work, I listen to a lot of talk radio. I love my music stations, but sometimes I get tired of hearing the same songs over and over. In listening to talk radio hosts, some liberal and some conservative, I’ve noticed something as they talk on topics dealing with race. On the more liberal stations, you can tell they are trying to be PC, so they use the term African-American. While most of the conservative stations use a mix of black or African-American.

I’ve heard friends and family make comments about their preferred “race title”, so I wanted to ask you. Do like being called black or African-American? I ask because some people I know really have an issue with white people calling them black. Even on college and job applications, they put African-American/Black as a selection. For those reading this who aren’t black, which term do you use the most? Do you switch between the two based on who you’re talking with?

If you’re a regular reader of this blog, I try to remain politically correct while getting my point across. Sometimes this works, sometimes it doesn’t. And sometimes I just have to say what’s on my heart and forget those who might be offended. So, just so you know I prefer the term black over African-American. While my ancestors may be from Africa, I am not. I’m a black person born on the south side of America. I’m proud to be black because we are the builders of this country and our history is one of strength and overcoming obstacles. When it comes down to it, I’m just a human being who happens to be black. I love who I am and I use the history of my ancestors to inspire me to create my own page in American History.

Let’s stop getting upset up over terms and titles when it comes to race. I know a lot of people who cringe at Dave Chappelle’s comic relief, but I think it’s on the lighter side of pure genius. Sometimes we can be too uptight when it comes to discussing race in this country. Check out one of my favorite clips.

If I was forced to choose a Republican nominee, it would have been Mike Huckabee. He seemed to be a down to earth guy who made the most sense during the countless debates shown earlier in the year. Sure he was stubborn and didn’t want to concede when he knew the numbers were stacked against him, but I thought his point was made by not letting McCain win the nomination as early as he could have. Demonstrating you have common sense is important to me and at times it gets you more points in my book than having book sense.

But here is one time where Huck forfeited some of his common sense by making a tasteless joke regarding Barack Obama. His comments were out of line and touched on a topic that has the potential to breed fear and uncertainty in the minds of those who support the Obama ticket. While Huck may have meant it as a joke, there are some sick people out there who see things differently. Check out this post from the Electronic Village to learn more about them. This is the stuff you definitely won’t see on Fox News.

I’m sure I’ll catch some hell for bashing a kids song, but it’s Friday and this kinda bothered me. I was watching Spongebob Squarepants on Nickelodeon with my son and heard them advertising the song “I Don’t Want to Go to School” by the Naked Brothers Band on a commercial.

I’ve defended hip hop music and I realize not all of it is good for young ears (or even adult ears). I also realize the affect it has on the black community and society as a whole. But what gets me is why this song was chosen to be played on a kids station (teens are kids too) and why weren’t the parental censorship groups out there protesting? Sure the Naked Brothers Band is one of those teensational groups, but need to be held responsible for their lyrics. Kids look up to them.

I’m going to write a song called “You Better Get Your Butt to School, Right Now!”. Because that’s exactly what my kid will hear when I hear him utter those words. A song doesn’t have to talkabout ho’s, poppin caps or gettin dollas to be censored in my opinion. Am I making too big a deal about this? Or do you feel this was a post to get away from the discussing something of real substance? You tell me.

Here’s the Youtube video

“I Don’t Want To Go To School”

Don’t wanna go to
School [X7]
I don’t want to go to school
Yes it’s true.
I don’t want to see a teachers
Face again.
I don’t want to go to school
Every morning.
I don’t want to go to school.

School [X4]
I don’t want to go to school. [X3]
Don’t want to go to school school
And thats for sure.
Don’t take me in the morning or
I’ll cry some more.
And I’m really tired of being treated
Like a fool.
I don’t want to go to school.

You can’t deny me of my [X3]
Of my freedom.

You can’t deny me of my [X3]
Of my summer.

I don’t want to go to school.

And you give us so much work
I go crazy.
Try to rest my head and you call me lazy.
I look aroud and all I see
Is depretion.

And i’ll tell you teachers
I’ve got a confetion.
All those those kids wan’t to do
Is have some fun.
But the work
The work
The work is never done.
You always tell me to stop
To stop comin’ around
I can’t even make
Make make no sound
I can’t make no sound

I don’t want to go to school
School [X4]
I don’t want to go to school
School [X3]
I don’t want to go to school
School [X4]

I don’t want
I don’t want
I don’t want to go to school

I don’t want
I don’t want
I don’t want to go to school

I don’t want
I don’t want
I don’t want to go to school

I don’t want to go to school

No I don’t

Lyrics found at AZ Lyrics

I’d been meaning to do the post about the Tuskegee experiment for a while, but I had no idea this topic was being discussed on the Houston Chronicle website. On May 9th, syndicated columnist Jonah Goldberg wrote a viewpoints column titled “Let’s start with the truth about Tuskegee studies” which attempts to shed some light on what “really” happened at Tuskegee, the government and black paranoia and why we continue to vote for a party that wants a bigger governement.

While I like to explore both sides of an issue, I think the real issue is being overlooked and Rev. Wright is the distraction to get people’s focus away from the current problems Americans face. It’s a good way to build readership, get people to your website or watch your television show. And I can’t blame them at all. People need to eat and businesses need to make money in order to survive. It’s called capitalism.

I don’t know the assumed intentions of experiment, nor do I know if those involved were racist. What I do know is that the men involved were lied to and thought they were getting help from a government agency. It was only until “the truth” surfaced that something was done about it. The lie in my opinion is the reason behind the paranoia. The whole AIDS in the black community is nothing new and Jeremiah Wright is not saying anything that hasn’t been said before. It’s just he was associated with a potential presidential candidate, which made him a target.

It was only a matter of time before people realized and accepted the fact that race is still a big issue in our society. It’s something we try to sweep under the rug and pretend never happened. We make laws to “make everything equal”, all the while not addressing the real issues at hand. The people who lived during segregation are still alive and the things they faced continue to haunt them.

Fifty years is not a long time and this happened in America. In the land of the free and home of the brave. The place where success is possible with a hard work and determination. The place where all men are created equal. That’s where the frustration from the black community comes in.

I’m sure there’s more to Rev. Jeremiah Wright than we know. If he was the type of person the media is making him out to be, people would have caught on a long time ago. Why are his statements now a big issue? Do I agree with what he said? No. Is this the first time I’ve heard a minister say something of that nature? No. You can’t judge Obama’s character on a sermon from his former pastor. Wright played a significant part in his life and it would be wrong for him to “disown” him.

At best his speech was very presidential and I can see him speaking to America behind the Presidential Seal. In this speech he seems to understand the plight of all people. Whether he faced those challenges or not, he was able to at least articulate the feelings people are facing. That’s all I want in a president. Just make an attempt to understand how I feel.

If you want to read the text version of this speech a copy is posted on Obama’s website.

It looks like Hillary has won Texas, but Barack is ahead with delegates with 39% of the polls reporting. No matter the outcome both have the intentions of running until the end, a strategy that might benefit the Republican party. I posted my experience at the caucus and I feel there’s a lot of work to be done in Texas with regards to its primacaucs voting.

It’s funny to see how quick the media is to change sides and give the advantage to the other candidate when one is on a run. But the people in some way have been heard. The Repubs need to be ready because once a nominee is chosen, they’re definitely in for a fight.

A lot of people want Barack to fight back and it seems like he might be doing that in his own way. I think he has to do something and soon. I’ve heard him make the comment that if the race is about having experience, McCain has the upper-hand. And he might have a point, but I’d really like to see him go on the attack and make her squirm a little. Knowing Hillary’s tax filings aren’t a big deal to me, so I’m not sure where he’s going with it. But as we all know it’s not over until it’s over. This is only the beginning for whoever goes up against McCain and it’s not going to get any easier.

I’m a Leap Year Baby, so I only get to celebrate every four years, which means I got to do it big when it comes around. I made a pledge to stay away from my computer for a 24 hour period. No blogging, no internet, no e-mail, etc. I can count on one hand the times I’ve had to do that and most of the time it was for reasons beyond my control.

Shout out to all the Pisces out there. If you really want to show a brotha some love, check out this link or just leave a comment. Hey I ain’t too proud to beg.

This past Tuesday we buried my grandmother. She had four daughters and a host of grandchildren and great grandchildren. She lived a good life and at some point and time watched over all of my cousins and me while our parents were off at work. She was generous in her giving and strict in her discipline. When she said do something, we had to get it done or else. She cared for over twenty foster care children and showed them love until someone decided to adopt them. She gave her all for others until she could no longer do so anymore.

In a post about the television documentary Eyes on the Prize, I was amazed at the stories that were captured and learned a lot about our fight for equal rights. But there was one thing that I didn’t realize and the opportunity is now gone. We all have a chance to capture history by talking with those who lived during that era. At the funeral I saw family members I hadn’t seen in a long time and met some I’d never met before. My black history lesson was right in front of me. All I needed was a recorder or video camera. It doesn’t take much and because of the podcast I have all the equipment I need.

I’m going to do better. There’s a lot of history out there and we need to get it before it’s gone.

I’ve never really been the biggest fan of Valentine’s Day and there have been many times when I’ve gotten in trouble over it. I’ll spare you all the details, but I’ve had to accept the fact that it makes my wife happy when I do something special for her. But with the economy as shaky as it is, I thought I’d do a post on some affordable ways to keep your loved one happy on Valentine’s Day.

1. Make her a card on the computer and print it out at work. Get the clipart off the internet.
2. Build a photo album of the both of you and burn it to a CD.
3. Take her to an all-you-can-eat buffet and eat off her plate.
4. Find a gift on freecycle.org.
5. Write a poem and text message it to her in pieces throughout the day.
6. Cook dinner. Ramen Noodles, spaghetti sauce and sausage makes a good meal. And it can be cooked in the microwave.
7. Buy her flowers and a card at the grocery store after work (5pm) or whenever they start the discount.
8. Make her a mixed tape with songs she likes from the radio. Make sure to stop the tape before the DJ starts talking.
9. Meet her/him at work and sing their favorite song for them in front of their co-workers.
10. Break up and get back together after Valentine’s Day.

Now I can’t be responsible for anything that happens if you try any of these, so I wanted to leave you with some more links on things you could do on a budget. Tell the people you care about, how much you love them. Today can be more about the gifts and what you can do for someone. If you’re willing to make the effort, Valentine’s Day can be every day.

10 No Cost Valentine’s Day Gifts

How to Spend No Money on Valentine’s Day

I’m broke and Valentine’s Day is coming quick!?

Did ya miss me?

I guess every now and then something like this has to happen. I haven’t been able to blog this past week because both of my computers were acting up this week. My desktop is working fine now, but the laptop is still down. Because I’m always on one, I forget how much I rely on computers to get things done. I’m glad at least one is working.

I was watching the CNN Democratic debate last night and it was something to see an African-American and a woman fighting to become the presidential candidate. No matter who wins it, history will be made. The question was asked about the both of them being on the same ticket and as politicians do, they walked around the question and didn’t answer it. Change in America is needed and I hope they can move this country in a better direction. Only time will tell.

I also watched Broken Government: Health Care Critical Condition. I should have recorded it and watched it later because the stories were all too familiar. I know the media tends to dramatize everything, but there is a problem with our health care system. If you are middle-class, you are one illness away from being in the poor house. This happened to my family. My dad brought in the main portion of the income, but when he had a stroke, the entire household suffered. The medical bills were high and my mom did everything she could to make ends meet. You don’t get much help as a middle-class family and social security can only go so far. This was about twenty years ago and things still aren’t much better. This is a big issue that needs to be fixed soon.

Having been through that is one of the reasons I started this blog. I want to inform people of programs and services that they can use to get help. Why should I keep what I’ve learned to myself when others may be able to benefit from it?