ELIZABETH AND HAZEL Two Women of Little Rock.

The following Book Review has been sponsored by www.AuthorsOnTheWeb.com

David Margolick has written a moving yet somber piece of work.  His book perfectly captures the mood of racial progress in America.  For all the answers you thought you knew, there are just more questions.  Are white folks really interested in racial reconciliation or are they unable to admit their culpability. Or maybe black folks have too much anger and resentment to move on from the past.  Elizabeth Eckford and Hazel Bryan Massery were part of history for all the wrong and right reasons.  Their story starts in 1957 during America’s tumultuous Civil Rights Era. Two women from different sides of the tracks met on a day that changed their lives forever.  Eckford one of the Little Rock Nine, only wanted to get an education.  And Massery only wanted to be seen. At the end of the book I had my own questions. Was Eckford doing something noble or was she being used as a pawn?  And was Massery better suited to be a scapegoat than an agent of change?  Don’t get me wrong because there is reflection and redemption in these pages.  But while we have made many significant strides, we still have a long way to go.  

The Rise and Fall of the Spook Who sat by the Door.

When I first saw the original movie I was blown away. But I knew that it would have been controversial during the time it was created. I've never read the book but again....I can't seem to find it!!!

Did you know about "The Green Book"?

Harlem postal employee, Victor H. Green created “The Green Book” in response to Jim Crow discrimination and violence in America. Essentially the book was a travel guide for blacks. It’s not surprising that a postal employee could come up with this concept. If he contacted black postal workers across the country, he would be able to find out where blacks lived. The book directed black travelers to safe lodging, restaurants, and other services. Many blacks traveling the highways had to deal with “sunset laws.” Sunset Laws basically meant that blacks had to be out of the town before sunset. Things have changed for black travelers since the books first publication in 1936. But “The Green Book” still represents a shameful time in American History.

Professor Gates, you can keep those chains.

In a further attempt to mask America’s social ills with levity, Harvard professor Henry Louis “Skip” Gates is donating his infamous handcuffs to the new National Museum of African American History and Culture. You remember awhile back when Gates was arrested for “Breaking In” to his own house by an overzealous Sgt James Crowley. His white neighbor called the police on him because she noticed a suspicious character around “His” house. The incident touched off a faux racial firestorm. Some black officers stepped up to defend Crowley – even in the face of Uncle Tom taunts. President Obama was rebuked by white folks for “defending his own” in his response to the incident. And for a brief moment (extremely brief) black folks thought they saw the real 1st black president. But in the end, everything was brushed over with Beer and Peanuts at the White House.

How did Gates get those handcuffs you might wonder? Apparently Gates received the handcuffs from Crowley when they met for a drink after the “White House Beer Summit.” Again you are wondering why Crowley gave him the handcuffs. Maybe Gates asked for them because he is a collector of slave memorabilia? Or maybe Crowley wanted him to have a reminder of his walk of shame to the precinct. Either way, the National Museum of African American History and Culture does not need those handcuffs. I would rather see the handcuffs that were used on the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, El-Hajj Malik El Shabazz aka Malcolm X and any of the participants (Known and Unknown) in the Civil Rights Movement. But I don’t want to see the handcuffs that were put on Gates. His chains don’t represent Black History. They represent the covering up of it.

Pseudo-Christians maintaining the ills of America.

As a Norwegian, looking at the U.S. health care debate from the outside, I cannot help but laugh sometimes. It seems like the word “socialism” has become a swear word. In Norway, we just re-elected a “socialist” government. That does not mean that we live in a communist state. We have full-fledged capitalism over here, and we are just about the richest country in the world, per capita. But we have chosen to let the state supply world class health care to all inhabitants.

To allow private insurance companies to let private profit maximizing decisions get in between a patient and a doctor is close to unethical for us. In Norway, you get the same care no matter if you are a homeless drunk or the C.E.O. of one of the biggest companies. And that’s how it should be. They say that the measure of a country’s success lies in how it treats its most unfortunate citizens.


— Gjert Myrestrand (as posted on The New York Times Website by a Norwegian citizen)



As a Christian, I call foul on America!!! America pretends to call itself a God Fearing Nation but that is in name only. This is especially when it comes to Poor people. Before someone calls me a communist, socialist or whatever tea-bagger term is popular during this current Obama Administration, please refer to the Bible. It is better to be dirt poor in a 3rd world country than to be poor in the U.S.A. This country Hates Poor People!!! And as a so called Christian Nation…..that’s shameful. Two weeks ago the Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina equated poor people to stray animals. I’m pretty sure he is the same politician that goes to church trolling for votes. Why won’t God let people get struck by a ball of fire like the old days…..I’m Just Saying. Browsing around the Bible and you see the following:


The Book of Exodus speaks of not taking advantage of widows and orphans.

The Book of Deuteronomy speaks of giving to “poor brethren.”

The Book of Zechariah speaks of not oppressing the poor.


So why don’t we treat the poor better? It says we should in the Good Book! As Americans we talk about God all the time. We put “In God We Trust” on our money. We won’t elect a national leader without them declaring love for Jesus the Christ. We even pray after winning Football games (but never when we lose). So what’s the problem?


Is it because we are preoccupied with being rich? People in America want to be either rich or famous. Look at the national obsession with playing the lottery or the attempts to get on American Idol. But there is a reason for this. Watch the news every night. How are the poor portrayed? From the Appalachian Mountains, Sub-Saharan Africa, Elkhart Indiana or Downtown Los Angeles poor people are in bad shape. Americans look at the news every night and have come to the realization: being poor sucks!! From the services that are provided to them to the type of housing they are able to afford. But if you think watching them would make us realize the needs of the poor – think again!!


You evildoers frustrate the plans of the poor but the lord is their refuge – Psalm 14:6


Real Christians would want everyone to have Healthcare, Affordable Food, Quality Education, and Clean Drinking Water. Real Christians view their fellow citizens as equals - instead of looking down on them. Somehow America lost its compassion for the little guy. If we, “America,” want to live up to our reputation, we need to practice what we preach. But that is only if we even know how.

White Hope on the Hardwood.

Here we go again!!!! Racists are STILL losing their minds in the “Age of Obama.” White folks were told the world would end once a black man became president. Well….the planet is still intact but you can’t tell some white folks that. They are hell bent on either getting rid of Obama, sending black folks back to Africa (except for Professional Athletes because they generate revenue) or building upscale houses/condos on the moon (you know Tyrone and them can’t afford to fly in space). Don “Moose” Lewis has decided to start a Whites-Only professional basketball league that would represent 12 Southern cities. Don’t say Huh? You heard me right!!!! Lewis is forming a 12 team basketball league with all White Players in the south. So now black folks have ruined basketball? I didn’t know white folks were that mad at the non-defense playing NBA anymore. I knew all those kids leaving college early would water down the game but all this….really??? Lewis wants the league to play fundamental basketball – the type played when the sport was first invented. That means no more behind the back passes - just straight chest passes!!

Lewis is really serious about this. He said the following:


"There's nothing hatred about what we're doing, I don't hate anyone of color. But people of white, American-born citizens are in the minority now. Here's a league for white players to play fundamental basketball, which they like." – taken from the Augusta Chronicle online


Lewis also wants to start a team in the city of Augusta, Georgia. I personally find that funny because that is my wife’s hometown. Ah! The jokes I had with this one when it first came out. No person with common sense and a heart would want this in their town. Don’t get me wrong!!! I think this would probably be a hit in Jena, Louisiana. But for Augusta it would be bad for business (i.e. the home of the famous “Masters” Golf Tournament). Also I think Lewis will have a hard time getting good players. You would have to really be desperate to have a semi-pro career in order to play in this league. The All I Hate Is Negroes League All American Basketball Alliance will survive based on advertising - via local business and corporate sponsorships. I would love to see what company would support this. If Lewis wants to start the league in June, he has a lot of work to do. He says he only wants “natural born U.S. citizens with both parents of Caucasian race to play in the league.” He will have to go looking for the “Whitest Players” in the country. That’s not going to be easy. The best white basketball players play like the black ones. Sometimes they even try look like black folks too (don’t front - it’s true).


I’m at the point now that I have to laugh at the racism in America. It has turned into a ridiculous display of ignorance. Birthers, Teabaggers, Psuedo-Militia Men and Anti Health Care rallies have shown why we are behind other countries in our educational system. People in general are afraid of something different but when you have been taught to fear “others” ignorance happens. White folks have historically been told to fear blacks and that they’re superior to us. Check the History Books they have in high school if you don’t believe me. African American history starts at slavery - ends at reconstruction and picks back up with Martin Luther King Jr. We had a busy life in Africa before slavery believe it or not!!! Politicians tell white men that black men are taking their jobs. The media tells white men that black men are taking their women….er….um…well some of that is true. But the point is that racism is sold to the American public by propaganda. It causes people like Lewis to feel that someone is stealing something from him. Black folks didn’t steal basketball – we perfected the damn thing!!! College coaches all over the country are running to the housing projects (i.e. The Hood) to find the “Next Big Thing.” If it’s good enough for the National Basketball Association, it’s good enough for me. Lewis needs to get a map of the world because he is behind the times. If he doesn’t like black folks playing, he is going to be pissed when he finds out about China.

Bah! Humbug

Fools are going broke trying to keep their loved ones happy this Christmas. If you don’t have any money, you just don’t have any money. Nothing from Nothing leaves Nothing. If the people that you love don’t understand that, then they don’t really love you. YES!!! This includes your nasty sugar addicted kids too. Some parents are running around trying to please their bad “A” kids. Why?? They were bad for 11 months out of the year and for one month they act like angels. You should have been kicking them in their behinds since January 1st but you didn’t and now they run you. Suckers!! I’ve watched plenty of kids play with their toys on the first day of Christmas. Two weeks later you can’t even recognize the toy because it’s so beat up. Or sometimes they don’t even know where the toy is. Let me give you a hint – it’s probably under the pile of Christmas toys from previous years.


American consumers are foolish for thinking that department stores care about them. They will entice you to get a credit card and tell you to shop until you drop. But be late on one payment. The cards interest rate will rise faster than Tiger Woods at an all White Party. You’re children’s children’s children will still be paying off on your 2009 Christmas purchases. Do these people even like the people they are buying gift for? If you are living with a man for 30 years and he hasn’t married you yet, why are you getting him a gift? He should come home and see his stocking missing. If you don’t get a diamond that joker should get s lump of coal and the boot. If you are dating a woman that you can’t afford why are you going broke trying to impress her? She most likely doesn’t even love you. She is really waiting on something better to come along. You should know this by the hints she keeps giving you. When you ask her about the future don’t you see her looking out the window? Merry Christmas Suckers!!!

Shaking your tail feather with white folks in a burning house.

“I fear, I am integrating my people into a burning house.”

~ Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr


Dr. King said the above statement to Harry Belafonte in a conversation they had before his death. Belafonte startled at the statement said to him “What should we do?” Dr. King told him that we “Become the firemen, Let us not stand by and let the house burn.”

On the flip side of that, you have a speech by Malcolm X. It was entitled “The House Negro and the Field Negro.” He spoke about how the House Negro loved the Master more than he loved himself. And that if the Masters house caught on fire, the House Negro would try to put the fire out. On the other hand you have the Field Negro. The Field Negro hated the master and despised his very existence. If the Master’s house were to catch on fire, the Field Negro would pray for a strong wind to come along.

Here you have two black thoughts that are on opposite sides of the spectrum. The feelings are as true today as they were when both these statements were proclaimed in the mid 60’s.


Urban Fiction author Teri Woods is suing a nightclub called Greenhouse for $1 Billion Dollars due to a claim of racism. Apparently she arranged a party at this club in the New York City section of SoHo to celebrate her new book. The lawsuit claims that her guests were denied entrance into the club because of their race. There are also text messages from the doorman to the club owner expressing a need to keep people out based on appearances. One text read “I couldn’t let in 300lb girls.” How she got a hold of text messages from the doorman to the club owner is still hazy to me. Woods was planning on doing it up big time at the club with her 175person guest list. But it turned into a night of disappointment for the New York Times best selling author. When she rolled up to the club she saw her black guests standing outside, while her white guests were let in. One of the plaintiffs in the case, Kashan Robinson, was listed as being the sister to rapper Queen Pen. Errrrrrrrrrrr….pump the breaks. Yes!! You heard me. This was actually listed on BlackVoices.com website. Someone actually took the time to research that tidbit of insignificant information. I hope Ms. Robinson wasn’t at the club yelling that in order to get in. That would be the equivalent of me saying I’m related to Father MC in order to get into a party. I’m not related to him but you get the point.


What makes this interesting is that some of the comments to the story were mixed. Many comments were in favor of Woods suing the club and others blamed Woods for the incident. The comments blaming Woods expressed the sentiment that black folks shouldn’t be chasing after white folks approval. And if we want to enjoy ourselves, we should support our own clubs or better yet build them. I remember black owned clubs I use to frequent back in the day. Places that weren’t very well lit and had only one entrance. It could only have been God that kept me alive when I went to those places. Some of the shadiest characters in America can be found in those clubs. I hate to racially profile folks but even Helen Keller would know a Thug if she could see one. Not all black owned clubs are death traps. You have real nice ones that are perfectly safe to frequent. But even in cities where blacks have large numbers, we don’t have ownership in half of the clubs.


For all that have been paying attention to our current situation - *News Flash*. Black folks, we have already been integrated into a burning house. The house was on fire when they started busing black children to white schools and it has been burning brightly ever since. It’s too late to go back now homie!!! People should be allowed to attend any club that they want to. We can’t be mad at other blacks because they want to party uptown. Now if Woods went to a Klan picnic there would be a problem. It’s all about freedom of choice folks. I personally don’t hang out that often so I don’t get turned away from clubs. Most of the time when I go to a club I know that I’m getting in. But things might be a tad bit different in New York.


Is this a common occurrence in major metropolitan cities? Have you ever been turned away from a club because of racism? I’m just asking………

I hope they do you better than they did us!!!

Original article written by R. Thomas Umstead for Multichannel News

Following last year’s successful Black In America documentary series, CNN will turn its cameras on America's Latino community with the two-part documentary series Latino In America premiering in October.

CNN, which will also revisit the African-American community in July with Black In America 2, hopes to use the In America franchise to draw more attention to the struggles and triumphs of diverse communities, according to Mark Nelson, vice president and senior executive producer for CNN Productions.

“The In America brand strand gives us the opportunity to look at groups of people in America that have been misreported or in some cases neglected [by the media],” Nelson said.
Latino In America, hosted by CNN personality and Black In America host Soledad O’Brien, will focus on the growing U.S. Hispanic population and the pertinent issues that face the community.
“We found out with Black In America that many people who watched were not only black but Hispanic as well,” Nelson said. “This is the fastest-growing minority group in America today, but we don’t understand how really diverse this group is. The show focuses on how Latinos are changing America and how America is changing Latinos.”

The first part of the series will explore the lives of people across the country who share the surname “Garcia,” the eighth most popular family name in America. The second part focuses on how four different communities are meeting the challenges of disparities, immigration and discrimination in terms of language, education, citizenship, and cultural identity.
Celebrities such as Edward James Olmos, Eva Longoria Parker, Jesse Garcia and Lupe Ontiveros will also be featured in the documentary.

Nelson said CNN will create a Spanish-language version of Latino In America, although it’s unclear when and where that version will be aired.

On the Black In America 2 front, Nelson said the network will look to continue the dialogue started with last year’s inaugural Black In America series, which drew 13 million viewers. The first Black In America 2 segment, “Today’s Pioneers,” will debut July 22, with the second part, “Tomorrow’s Leaders,” airing the following evening.

“What we heard was that viewers wanted more solutions,” Nelson said. “We’ve got an economy that is sick, and it usually affects the have-nots more than the haves. But in spite of the economy, there are remarkable things that are happening out there; there are people who are taking it upon themselves to make changes, and we want to show how that’s happening.”
A third special, CNN & Essence: Reclaiming the Dream, will be tied to the African-American women’s magazine’s July Essence Music Festival in New Orleans.

As part of the Black In America 2 rollout, Nelson said CNN will launch a dedicated Web site www.cnn.com/blackinamerica for the franchise in June.

Nelson added that the In America franchise may also be expanded in the future to focus on other multicultural communities.

“We’re in the business of weighing the important issues of our time and the fascinating people and stories that impact those issues — that includes other cultural and ethnic groups,” said Nelson.

The Long Overdue Posthumous Pardon of Jack Johnson

Katrina's Hidden Race War: "Victims and Vigilantes"

Hat tip to Ruth Baldwin, from The Nation Books, for this one:



In an 18-month investigation supported by The Investigative Fund at The Nation Institute, reporter A.C. Thompson weaves together stories of both innocent victims and unrepentant vigilantes, painting a terryifying and never before told picture of a hidden race war in New Orleans in the days following Hurricane Katrina. Most of the incidents took place in Algiers Point, a middle-class neighborhood on New Orleans' west bank, which stood between the inundated Lower Ninth Ward and a National Guard rescue point. As black residents from the Lower Ninth tried to flee New Orleans, white residents in Algiers Point took up arms and opened fire, shooting with impunity. Thompson, in Katrina's Hidden Race War and a companion piece, Body of Evidence, interviews witnesses on all sides of the gunfire, including shooters from Algiers Point, gunshot survivors, forensic pathologists, doctors, historians, private citizens, and law enforcement officials. Thompson reviewed over 800 autopsies and state death records, and reveals a city fractured across racial lines and evidence of brutal crimes:


* According to eye witnesses, at least 11 people were shot by vigilantes in Algiers Point. In each case the targets were African-American men, while the shooters all were white. It's unclear who all 11 victims were or how many may have died, because none of the shootings have ever been investigated.


* One shooting victim, Henry Glover (his shooter remains unknown), was found charred and burned in a scorched sedan. Glover's death is particularly suspicious, with eyewitnesses reporting that New Orleans police allowed Glover to bleed to death while savagely beating the man who tried to save him, then covered up and destroyed evidence. The Investigative Fund at The Nation Institute had to sue for Glover's autopsy records.


* In a companion video, residents of Algiers Point admit to forming a "mini-militia," at one point saying that shooting blacks "was like pheasant season in South Dakota. If it moved, you shot it."


*As one militiaman told Thompson, “The police said, ‘If they’re breaking in your property do what you gotta do and leave them [the bodies] on the side of the road.’


In spite of overwhelming evidence supporting all of these allegations, the New Orleans Police Department and public officials have refused comment, beyond a curt two-sentence email, for over eight months. To date there is no evidence a single investigation was ever opened, and law enforcement at every level was completely uncooperative with the investigation. As Thompson, an award winning journalist now on staff at ProPublica, wrote in the piece, "As a reporter who has spent more than a decade covering crime, I was startled to meet so many people with so much detailed information about potentially serious offenses, none of whom have ever been interviewed by police." An accompanying Editorial in the January 5, 2009 issue of The Nation magazine calls for a full and complete investigation. "Katrina still stands as a symbol of our elected officials brutal indifference to the lives of poor African-Americans," the Editors write. "It's not too late for accountability." The Editors of The Nation, America's oldest weekly news magazine, implore Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal to lead a multiagency task force to get to the bottom of these crimes; Representative John Conyers and Senator Patrick Leahy to compel law enforcement to testify before congress; and incoming Attorney General Eric Holder to begin an investigation at the Department of Justice. "If we as a nation are ever truly to transcend race," they write, "tolerance for racist violence in our midst must come to an end."

Alerted by The Nation to the A.C. Thompson story, the advocacy group Color of Change launched a campaign moments after the story went to press echoing the calls for an investigation. Color of Change, a national organization that "exists to strengthen black America's political voice," played a critical role in raising public outcry around the Jena 6 case and in demanding accountability immediately following Hurricane Katrina. The organization will be launching a petition drive and an online campaign targeting Jindal, Holder and others to demand an investigation. "It's unconscionable that three years would pass without any investigation into these crimes," said James Rucker, co-Founder and Executive Director of ColorofChange.org.

Color of Change has set up a petition at http://www.colorofchange.org/nation/

"This is yet another tragic example of Louisiana officials not taking seriously their responsibility to protect Louisiana's black citizens. We hope that Thompson's article and The Nation will help shame officials into action."

A.C. Thompson's reporting on New Orleans was directed and underwritten by the Investigative Fund at The Nation Institute. Thompson is an award-winning journalist on the staff at ProPublica, which provided additional support as did the Center for Investigative Reporting and New American Media. Anyone interested in interviewing reporter A.C. Thompson may contact Ben Wyskida at 212-209-5426 or ben@thenation.com.

Ignorance - common sense + Intolerance x Rage = Racism

Minorities: The Bailout Scapegoat?

"Loaning to minorities and risky folks is a disaster." ~ Neil Cavuto, host of Fox News' Your World

"When federal regulators demanded parity between racial groups in lending, the only way to achieve a quota would be to begin making intentionally bad lending decisions." ~ Drew Zahn a pundit on WorldNetDaily

“Loans started being made on the basis of race, and often little else” ~ Rep. Michele Bachmann, a Republican who represents Minnesota’s 6th District

Washington Mutual, Inc., one of the nation’s leading banks for consumers and small businesses, has once again been recognized as a top employer by Hispanic Business magazine and the Human Rights Campaign. Hispanic Business magazine recently ranked WaMu sixth in its annual Diversity Elite list, which names the top 60 companies for Hispanics. The company was honored specifically for its efforts to recruit Hispanic employees, reach out to Hispanic consumers and support Hispanic communities and organizations. The Human Rights Campaign, the largest national gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) civil rights organization, also awarded WaMu its second consecutive 100 percent score in the organization’s 2009 Corporate Equality Index (CEI), which measures progress in attaining equal rights for GLBT employees and consumers. WaMu joins the ranks of 259 other major U.S. businesses that also received top marks in the annual survey. The CEI rated a total of 583 businesses on GLBT-related policies and practices, including non-discrimination policies and domestic partner benefits.In both surveys, WaMu earned points for competitive diversity policies and programs, including the recently established Latino, African American and GLBT employee network groups, all of which have a corporate executive sponsor and champion. ~ Mark Krikorian, in an article on National Review Online titled CAUSE AND EFFECT (Dated Sep 26, 2008 the day after Washington Mutual was sold to JP Morgan).

So now it’s minorities’ that placed America’s Economic Fortunes in a tailspin? People that had no business getting credit were buying homes, which later on, they would not be able to afford. Someone had to have known that the numbers didn’t add up? They should not have even been able to get credit from Old Navy.

Sure there were individuals that gamed the system but not everybody was trying to get over. Some people were just trying to have the American Dream. The same American Dream that is advertised on television with blond hair girls, apple pie and vacations to Disney World. Still, someone should have been there to put a stop to the process.

This is bigger than Tyrone, Keisha, Hector or Rosalina trying to live in a decent house with a backyard. This is about Chip and his friends wearing thousand dollars suits and making decisions out of greed. Wall Street, Banks, Mortgage Companies, and New Housing Developments all were turning a blind eye in hopes of a quick payoff. There is enough blame to go around but how typical it is to blame White America’s standard fall guy. If people would take the time to wake up, they would realize that we are all in this together.

CNN Black in America: My Notes on Tonight’s Show Part 2

Oh no!!! Take that doo rag off your head. I see that you wear suits to interviews (Good) but don’t you know perception is reality (when it comes to how the world views you). You are being interviewed on national television man!!!! Again take that doo rag off your head!!!! I’m glad you got the job though dude!!! Note: when white folks say they see strange people lurking around the neighborhood that is a code for “too many black people”. I can see the new debate on the blogs: What is the deal when you have two sons that date/marry white woman? And is it possible to raise children too white?

Black men!! Young black men!! Black boys!!! Please don’t fight the police, because it’s just not worth it. It’s guaranteed jail time. I’m glad that they have Joseph C. Phillips, for the counterpoint, but some folks are going to cut him a new one on the blogs tomorrow. Citizen Wifey agrees with Ellis Close that boys believe the negative stereotypes about themselves and then buy into them. Maybe now I can get her to stop watching BET!!!
A man showed up late for his daughters first birthday…. Damn!! His excuse was that he didn’t know what time it was……… Damn!!! How does he not know the time when he has Bluetooth and a cell phone? At that point I wouldn’t have been surprised if Soledad had of said “N…. please.” The kicker is his mother’s father had 10 kids and didn’t raise any of them……Double Damn! Talk about a vicious cycle. Another woman pregnant and not married, where does Soledad find these women? Her first child’s father doesn’t come around (his daughter cries when he picks her up) so why would she go through this again, with another deadbeat? Citizen Wifey is pissed at this point. She says when a man says “I’m gonna take care of my children” it means that it won’t get done. Can we really blame slavery for men not taking care of their children? Does slavery cause all of this?

The segment with the black male professional marketing executive was very thorough. I felt that it covered all the bases and I was very please. I would love for them to find a guy that grew up with all black folks, went to college with all black folks and is now working in an all white environment. All the black folks they are showing have been brought up in mixed environments. Let’s mix it up a bit (no pun intended). Buffoonery and Coonary! Spike Lee you should get a copy-write on that. Let’s see how many black people come out to view Spike’s new film. The Great Debaters was an excellent film but…… well you know the rest.
Oh Uh! America’s Favorite Scapegoat: Rap Music. Don’t get me wrong, some of the rap out here is pure crap. Certain rappers degrade women, glorify violence and they do not have any creativity in their works. But, there are some rappers that do not participate in that. Rap is part of the after school educational curriculum now? Where was all this when I was in school? I tore up my father’s record player trying to scratch records. I didn’t know I needed special equipment… but I digress. I do agree with Dr. Dyson that Corporations are partly guilty in this process. Russell Simmons, there you go again defending rappers that degrade women. I expect that from a man whose ex-wife poses half naked in magazine ads. Lupe Fiasco you are right about one thing – Debatury sells.

Dr. Dyson’s brother caused all his problems on himself and I’m glad he realizes that. I can respect a man that admits to his mistakes. The problem I have is the dark skin and light skin comments. My dad is dark skinned and he is very successful, and I am dark skinned and moderately successful. I grew up during the time when being light skinned was popular. It was hard for me at times but I never felt I needed to resort to crime.

Overall I didn’t learn anything new from this series. I personally would have preferred if they gave more background on what caused the negative situations in the black folk’s lives. They tried to do it with the crack cocaine epidemic, but they need to tell us how the drugs got here. Black folks in the hood don’t own boats and planes. I would hate for white folks to watch this and think that we grow crops, harvest crops, produce drugs from the crops and sell them. When was the last time you saw coca plants in the hood? On the flip side: We know that white folks brought the drugs here but they didn’t make us sell them. They also need to explain why people can’t get fresh vegetables from their grocery stores in the hood. Where were the black men that can’t find good women? I hear them complain all the time in person. It is a problem that is more prevalent with women but men struggle with dating too. There was a lot that was left off the table. Maybe there is not enough time in four hours to tell our story. Or maybe we need to tell our own story?

After watching it all, I can say that I feel really bad for black women. They got a raw deal from this whole investigative series. They came off looking like Ho’s, Hoochies, Hood rats, High Class Divas and overall sad confused girls that never grew up. Sure they showed fathers that weren’t around but the mothers of their children…. As Florida Evans use to say: Damn! Damn! Damn! Well ladies maybe next time.


Not having a father in the home = possibility of young boys doing poorly in life (That is old news)

Blacks being harassed by the cops (Real old news)

Blacks discouraging other blacks from doing well in school (Lived it, old news)

The mainstream media portrays blacks in a negative light (I see that every day, really old news)

CNN Black in America: My Notes on Tonight’s Show Part 1

When I saw them begging that kid to come to school I was shamed!! Now we have to pay kids to go to school? Since when do we need Economists to run the education system? A woman having 5 kids with one man and they never decide to get married? Talk about “why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free.” Citizen Wifey says that I am judging people but I don’t look at it that way. I am concerned with the decisions that parents make and how it affect their children. It is a sad affair when 50% of black children that live with single moms are in poverty. (For a disclaimer) I have friends that grew up in single parent homes and they turned out fine. But the numbers are frightening!!! Also can we please retire the phrase “Baby Daddy” I truly hate that phrase.

I believe depending on where a biracial child lives will determine how they view themselves. If they live around black folks, they will identify with being black. If they live in predominantly white neighborhoods then it would be the opposite. Why would you have unprotected sex with a man you don’t trust? Something about that is sad and disturbing. In the second hour, why again are people begging kids to help them change their lives. Another woman with 5 kids, where is Soledad finding these women, that she is struggling to take care of. It is sad to say, but her son being paralyzed might be the only way to keep him off the streets. If suburban white folks are watching this they must be highly confused.

Being poor = a poor education (That is old news)

Being poor = poor diet and poor eating habits (That is old news)

Being poor = poor health/lack of quality healthcare services (That is old news)

Black women having a hard time finding a black man to marry (Really old news – I hear this everyday)